Our Southern African Safari Wildlife guide is set up to give
you an overview of the animals you can expect to find in the game
reserves and
National Parks of Southern Africa.
Popular Southern African Safari Wildlife Destinations include
the
Kruger National Park, the Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park and the Addo
Elephant National Park in South Africa.
In Namibia, Etosha is without doubt the premier destination.
The North and South Luangwa Parks in Zambia is another good
choice to view wildlife in their natural habitat. The
Niassa Reserve in the North West of Mozambique is probably one of the
remotest places in Africa to go on a safari.
In Botswana, a safari to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National
Park will certainly fulfil your expectations to view the Big Five and
other animals
These are just to name a few Southern African Safari Wildlife
destinations.
an African Safari and Wildlife go together like a hand in a
glove!
Huge old
African Elephant, Kruger Park
The first thing you want do once you are at your destination
is to see what animals you can spot.
In some of the bigger Game Reserve you can do game drives in
your own vehicle.
All of them offer game drives with trained guides to help you
identify the various animals and to give you background info on their
habits.
They also offer night drives which is great because you then
get the opportunity to view wildlife that only come out at night.
Below is a list that we have compiled of some of the Southern
African Safari Wildlife that you can
expect to see or encounter in the various Game Reserves.
For ease of use we sorted the Southern African Safari guide in groups
starting with the Big 5. Everybody wants to see the Big
Five!
Southern African Safari Wildlife Guide:
- Big Five:
Lion:
Habitat - Lions can be found in any habitat where there
is food for them.
African
Lion
Lion and Rhino Park
Cradle of Humankind
South Africa
Food -
Carnivorous, preying on other animals.
Habits - The
only cat to form a pride of up to 20
animals. Although the pride leader is the dominant male it is usually
the females that do the hunting. Lions are mostly nocturnal
but are
often seen during the day, especially early morning and late afternoons.
Size - A
full grown male can weigh up to 240kg and the
female up to 180kg.
Life Expectancy -
A lion can live up to 20 years.
Natural enemies -
Crocodiles
Leopard:
Habitat - Leopards like thickets such as found along
river banks, rocky outcrops and ravines throughout Southern Africa.
Leopard
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Carnivorous, living off small animals such as
antelope, hyrax and field mice.
Habits -
Leopards usually keep their own company except
during the mating season. They are usually active at night but are
sometimes spotted during the day, especially early morning and late
afternoon.
Size - A
full grown male can weigh up to 82 kg, females
nearly half of that.
Life Expectancy -
A leopard can live up to 20 years.
Natural enemies -
Lions and Crocodiles
African Elephant:
Habitat -
Elephants are quite adaptable and can live in
various habitats. They prever regions with enough food and clean water.
African Elephant
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Elephants live on grass, bark, leaves and fruit.
They will cover huge distances to find food and water.
Habits -
Elephants live in herds of up to 200 animals.
An elephant's trunk is both his nose and hand with which he plucks
branches off trees to stuff into its mouth as well as to suck up water
to drink. Their tusks can grow to more than 3 meters in length and
weigh as much as a 100kg.
Size - Bulls
can weigh up to 6000kg and cows up to
4000kg.
Life Expectancy -
Elephants can live up to 65 years.
Natural enemies -
Lions
African Buffalo:
Habitat -
They prefer bushveld close to water with
enough grass and shade.
African
Buffalo
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food - Grass
but will eat leaves and shoots as well.
They drink a lot of water.
Habits -
Buffalo can be found singly, in small herds
and even in huge herds of several hundred animals. They are active
during the day but are most active during the cooler hours at dusk.
Size - Bulls
can weigh up to 820 kg and the cows up to
750 kg.
Life Expectancy -
Eland can live up to 12 years of age.
Natural enemies -
Lions
Rhino or Rhinoceros:
Habitat - White Rhinos prefer open bushveld with short
grass, lots of water and some thickets for shelter while the Black
Rhino prefers trees, thick bush and ample water.
White Rhino
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food - The
white rhino eats short grass while the black
rhino prefers leaves, branches and thorns.
Habits -
There are two species, the White Rhino and Black Rhino. White Rhinos
forms small groups but the Black rhino normally keeps its own company.
The White Rhino territorial bull marks his area with dung heaps and
spraying urine. They usually stay very close to their area. Black
Rhinos like taking mud baths and resting under trees during the day.
Although they are loners the calf will stay with the mother.
Size - The
white rhino is the bigger of the two,
weighing up to 2400kg. The black Rhino weighs up to 1000kg.
Life Expectancy -
White Rhinos up to 45 years and Black
Rhinos up to 40 years.
Southern African Safari Wildlife Guide:
- Big Game:
Hippo or Hippopotamus:
Habitat - Found in rivers and lakes with open water and
sandbanks.
Hippos
Lion & Rhino Park
Cradle of Humankind
South Africa
Food - Grass
Habits -
Hippos usually sleep during the day either in
the water or on sandbanks. They graze at night and can consume up to
130 kg of grass per night. Hippos form small groups of up to 15
animals. Hippos are normally peaceful animals but can get very
aggressive, especially with baby hippos around.
Habitat - Blesbuck are found on open veld and grassland
of the South African Highveld.
Blesbuck
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve
South Africa
Food - They
feed on grass only and prefer to graze on
short grass.
Habits - The
ewes and young usually form small herds
while the rams keep to themselves. They prefer grazing in the early
mornings and late afternoons while resting through the heat of the day.
Size -
Blesbuck weigh up to 70kg and the ewes 61kg.
Life Expectancy -
Blesbuck can live up to 11 years of
age.
Natural enemies -
Cheetahs.
Bontebok:
Habitat - Bontebok are exclusively found in the Western
Cape of South Africa.
Food -
Grass, preferably short grass.
Habits -
Bontebok forms seperate herds containing rams
and ewes. Some rams are loners and territorial. They graze in early
mornings and late afternoons, resting during the midday heat.
Size -
Bontebok rams weighs up to 64kg and the ewes
59kg.
Life Expectancy -
Bontebok can live up to 11 years of
age.
Natural enemies -
Leopards.
Eland:
Habitat - They are found in various habitats that range
from shrub covered flats and Bushveld as well as mountainous grassland
throughout Southern Africa.
Eland
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve
South Africa
Food -
Leaves and grass
Habits -
Eland usually form small herd of 8 to 12
animals. Bigger herds are sometimes found. They graze during the day
and into the night.
Size - The
bulls weigh up to 700kg and the cows 460kg
Life Expectancy -
Eland can live up to 12 years of age.
Habitat - Open Bushveld with short grass and close to
water.
Blue
Wildebeest
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food - Short
grass
Habits -
Blue Wildebeest usually forms hers of 20 to 30
animals but huge herds do occur as well, especially when migrating.
They are active during daylight hours grazing during the cooler hours
and resting in shade during the midday heat.
Size - Bulls
weigh up to 270 kg and the cows 200kg
Life Expectancy -
Blue Wildebeest can live up to 20
years of age
Habitat - Open grassland with enough water in the
central parts of South Africa
Black
Wildebeest
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve
South Africa
Food - Grass
Habits -
Black Wildebeest form herds of up to 50
animals. They usually graze during the early morning and late
afternoons when it is cooler while resting during the heat of the day.
Size - Bulls
weigh up to 180 kg and the cows 140kg
Life Expectancy -
Black Wildebeest can live up to 20
years of age.
Habitat - Duikers occur throughout Southern Africa in
any habitat where there are thickets and shrubs for shelter and shade.
Grey Duiker
Mokala National Park
South Africa
Food -
Mainly leaves but will also eat sprouts, seeds,
fruit and flowers.
Habits -
Duikers usually keep their own company except
in mating season when you will find them in pairs. They usually graze
in the early mornings, late afternoons and during the night. They
usually rest under thick bushes during the midday heat.
Size - Rams
weigh up to 21kg and the ewes slightly
bigger at 25kg.
Life Expectancy -
Grey Duikers can live up to 10 years
of age.
Natural enemies -
Leopards, Caracal, Wild Dogs and
Lions.
Steenbok:
Habitat - Steenbok are found through most of Southern
Africa. They like open grassland with some shrubs and trees.
Steenbok
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food - Grass
and leaves and sometimes roots and bulbs.
They very seldom drink water.
Habits -
Steenbok are found in pairs and singly. They
are territorial and mark their territory boundaries with dungheaps
which they regularly mark. Steenbok graze during the cooler hours,
early mornings, late afternoons and evenings. The rest in a bit of
shade during the midday heat.
Size - Both
rams and ewes can weigh up to 13kg.
Life Expectancy - Steenbok can live up to 6 years of
age.
Habitat - Thickets along rivers and streams with water.
They are found throughout the Eastern parts of Southern Africa.
Bushbuck Ewe
with Youngster
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food -
Leaves, grass, fruit and flowers.
Habits -
Bushbuck are very shy animals and are usually
found alone. Ewes and youngsters will sometimes form small groups. They
usually rest during the day in thickets and come out to graze in the
late afternoons and into the night.
Size - Rams
can weigh up to 77kg and the ewes 36kg.
Life Expectancy -
Bushbuck can live up to 11 years of
age.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards, Caracal and Pythons.
Habitat - Always close to water, areas near to rivers,
lakes and marshes.
Waterbuck
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Grass, sometimes fruit and leaves. They drink a
lot of water.
Habits -
Water are active during the day. They form
small groups consisting of cows, youngsters and calves. The Bulls are
territorial and usually keep to themselves.
Size - Bulls
can weigh as much as 270kg and cows 250kg.
Life Expectancy -
Waterbuck can live up to 14 years of
age.
Habitat - Open spaces, grassland in dry bushveld and
semi desert regions.
Red Hartebeest
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve
South Africa
Food -
Grass. They do need a lot of water.
Habits - Red
Hartebeest form small herds of 10 to 20
animals although herds of several hundred have been observed. They
usually graze early in the morning and in the late afternoon.
Size - Red
Hartebeest bulls can weigh up to 180kg and
the cows 136kg.
Life Expectancy -
Red Hartebeest can live up to 13
years of age.
Habitat - Close to or on top of rocky hills and
mountains. They are not dependant on water.
Klipspringer
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Mainly leaves but will also eat grass.
Habits -
Klipspringers occur singly, in pairs and even
in small groups. The rams are territorial and they mark their
territory. They usually graze in the early mornings and late afternoons
while resting in shade during the midday heat.
Size - The
rams weigh up to 12kg and the ewes slighty
heavier at 16kg.
Life Expectancy -
Klipspringers can live as long as 7
years.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards, Caracal and Pythons.
Gemsbok:
Habitat - Open grassland in semi desert regions as well
as open dry bushveld regions.
Gemsbok
Lion and Rhino Park
South Africa
Food - Grass
as well as roots and fruit.
Habits -
Gemsbok form small herds of 12 animals and more
Size -
Gemsbok bulls can weigh up to 240kg and the cows
210kg
Life Expectancy -
Gemsbok can live as long as 19 years.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Wild Dogs and Spotted Hyenas.
Habitat - Open Bushveld with medium to long grass on
well drained soil. They are always close to water. Sable Antelope does
not like thickets and areas with short grass.
Sable Antelope
Mokala National Park
South Africa
Food -
Grass, sometimes leaves. They also drink a lot
of water.
Habits -
Sable Antelope are active during the daytime
grazing in the early mornings and late afternoons, resting during the
midday heat.
Size - Bulls
can weigh up to 270kg and the cows 250kg.
Life Expectancy -
Sable Antelope can live up to 17
years.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards and Crocodiles.
Plains Zebra:
Habitat - Open Bushveld with lots of grass and water.
Plains Zebra
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food -
Mainly grass but sometimes also pods and leaves.
Habits -
Zebras form family groups of 4 to 9 animals
consisting of the stallion, a couple of mares and the rest youngsters.
Size -
Plains Zebras stallions can weigh as much as
340kg and the mares 325kg
Life Expectancy -
Plains zebras can live as long as 35
years.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Cheetahs and Spotted Hyenas.
Habitat - Most bushveld regions with enough wildlife to
support the Hyenas.
Spotted Hyena
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food -
Mainly carrion, anything it can scavenge from
dead carcasses, meat, bones and skin.
Habits -
Spotted Hyenas are territorial and will form
small groups of sometimes up to 12 animals. They are mainly nocturnal
but are still seen in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Size - Males
can weigh up to 79kg and the females 80kg.
Life Expectancy -
Spotted hyenas can live up to 25
years of age.
Brown Hyena
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Mainly carrion but will also catch small
reptiles, ground birds and other small mammals.
Habits -
Mainly nocturnal but are also seen in the
early mornings and late afternoons. They are usually seen on their own
while looking for food but the do form small groups within their
territory.
Size - Males
can weigh up to 57kg and the females 48kg.
Life Expectancy -
Brown Hyenas can live up to 24 years
of age.
Habitat - Black Backed Jackal are found in most habitat
types throughout Southern Africa.
Black
Backed Jackal
Pilanesberg National Park
South Africa
Food -
Carrion, small mammals, lambs, insects, birds
and even fruit.
Habits -
Black Backed Jackal are usually seen on their
own but they form pairs within their own territory. They are seen by
day and by night. Mostly spotted at dusk and dawn.
Size - Black
Backed Jackal can weigh as much as 11.4kg
and the females 10kg.
Life Expectancy -
Black Backed Jackal can live as long
as 13 years.
Habitat - Bushveld with open spaces mainly in the
northern parts of Southern Africa
African Wild
Dog
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food - They
only eat fresh meat, mainly Impalas,
Springbok and Blue Wildebeest.
Habits -
African Wild dogs live and hunt in packs. The
packs can consist of anything between 10 and 15 animals although larger
packs have been observed.
Size -
African Wild Dogs weigh up to 32kg.
Life Expectancy -
African Wild Dogs can live as long as
10 years.
Southern African Safari Wildlife Guide:
- Small Mammals:
Baboon:
Habitat - Baboons are found throughout Southern Africa
in most habitats but they do prefer mountains and areas with lots of
trees.
Baboon
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food - Fruit, berries, insects, scorpions and meat.
Habits -
Baboons forms groups of as many as 70 animals
with a very clear cut hierarchy from the leader with his dominant males
and their families down the ranks to youngsters who also at this young
age are already sorting out whos who in the food chain.. They sleep on
high cliffs or in tall trees and descend in the mornings to look for
food.
Size - Male
Baboons can weigh up to 44kg and the females
17kg.
Life Expectancy -
Baboons can live up to 18 years of
age.
Natural enemies -
Lions and Leopards.
Vervet Monkey:
Habitat - Vervet Monkeys are usually found in areas
with lots of trees along river banks.
Vervet Monkey
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food -
Fruit, flowers, leaves, seeds, insects, tree gum,
birds and eggs.
Habits -
Vervet Monkeys are active during daylight
hours, They are extremely agile and excellent climbers, swinging from
branch to branch like acrobats. They form groups of up to 20 animals.
Size - Males
can weigh as much as 8kg and the females 5kg
Life Expectancy -
Vervet Monkeys can live up to 12
years of age.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards, Caracal and Crowned
Eagles.
Habitat - Rocks, cliffs, rocky hills with tree cover.
Rock Hyrax
Augrabies National Park
South Africa
Food -
Grass, leaves, shrubs and weeds.
Habits -
Rock Hyrax are active during the daytime and
form groups from as little as 4 animals to several hundred. They love
to sun themselves in the early morning. They feed throughout the day
and even in the evenings. They are quite good tree climbers as well.
Size - Males
weigh up to 4.7kg and the females 4.2kg.
Life Expectancy -
Rock Hyrax can live up to 6 years of
age.
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards, Brown Hyenas,
Caracal, Pythons, Black Eagles, Martial Eagles and African Hawk Eagles.
Habitat - Occur in dry Bushveld and trees, especially
mixed Thorn and Mopanie veld.
Tree Squirrel
Kruger National Park
South Africa
Food -
Berries, leaves, fruit, seeds, flowers, bark and
sometimes insects.
Habits -
Tree Squirrels usually grazes on their own
although sometimes you will see in small groups. They usually graze on
the ground but will scamper up the nearest tree when startled.
Size - Males
can weigh up to 240g and the females 265g.
Life Expectancy -
South African Tree Squirrels can live
as long as 8 years..
Natural enemies -
Lions, Leopards, Caracal and Martial
Eagles
I personally use this guide and always take it along when on
Safari in Southern Africa. It is a very user friendly Guide to Southern
African Safari Wildlife containing all the salient facts you
need to identify each animal and to understand their habits.
The
Mammal Guide of Southern Africa is a great
help to know
where you can expect find each animal in the wilderness by
understanding what they eat and what their habits are.
If you get to know the habits of the African Safari Wildlife
mentioned in this article you will be able to find them. For that
reason I highly recommend The
Mammal Guide of Southern Africa which you can
purchase from
Amazon. It will help to make your safari in Southern Africa a really
great experience.
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