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Wildlife in Africa

Great wildlife safaris to Africa

Africa’s animal-filled plains and forests live on. The vast wilderness areas are home to the earth’s biggest concentrations of large mammals, from elephants and giraffes to hippos and zebras, to lions, leopards and cheetahs.


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The safari countries of East and southern Africa are among the only regions in the world where you can still experience life on Earth as it was before the humans took over. Many wildlife areas are truly realms apart, tangibly different from our familiar, constructed environments.

As a first-time visitor, no amount of Attenborough TV can prepare you for the sight and sound of braying wildebeests thundering past your vehicle, for the strategic calculations of a lion pride setting up a hunt, or for the colossal bulk and earthy smell of a silverback gorilla. At Expert Africa, every country we specialise in has outstanding, and sometimes unique wildlife areas and experiences. Give us a call and ask us about our own special wildlife experiences.

The choices are all yours. Go on foot to track wild dogs in Zimbabwe or black rhinos in Kenya. Take a boat trip on the Rufiji River or through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Or simply set off in your safari vehicle at dawn, to see what the night left behind and what the day ahead will bring.

Broaden your animal horizons

Here are some of our ideas for great holidays focussed on wildlife in Africa.


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Aardwolf Safari

5 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Two sister-camps within private concessions bordering Moremi Game Reserve offer access to excellent game, varied landscapes and a range of land and water-based safari activities. A great-value safari in one of Botswana’s best wildlife regions.

US$5,220 - US$9,290 per person

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African Finfoot Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.

US$9,900 - US$17,340 per person

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African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari

7 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Two luxurious camps provide relatively quiet game-viewing within Laikipia and the Mara ecosystem. Situated on private conservancies, both Lewa Wilderness and Naboisho offer the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" and to enjoy a range of safari activities.

US$8,510 - US$16,430 per person

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African Jacana Safari

7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

An adventurous introduction to Botswana blending prolific wildlife, incredible landscapes and varied activities staying at relaxed camps in the Chobe Enclave, a community-owned reserve bordering the Moremi, and Makgadikgadi Pans.

US$7,770 - US$12,280 per person

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Anantara Beach Holiday

6 days • 1 locations
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT

Enjoy a range of land and water-based activities from Anantara Bazaruto Beach Resort and Spa. A great destination for families, it offers something to keep all ages entertained as well as ample opportunity for utter relaxation.

US$2,670 - US$6,000 per person

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Avocet Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

This luxurious safari explores three iconic African reserves from exclusive lodges in unbeatable locations. A very high standard of food, care and guiding ensure that you can focus on this amazing experience.

US$9,280 - US$15,860 per person

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Azura Beach Holiday

6 days • 1 locations
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT

Stay in a stunning location on the western coastline of Benguerra Island. Elegant accommodation, a highly personalised level of care and a wide range of land and water-based activities make Azura a fantastic destination for travellers.

US$5,250 - US$6,880 per person

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Bat Hawk Safari

7 days • 2 locations
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT

Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.

US$7,880 - US$9,130 per person

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Bat-eared Fox Fly-in Safari

3 days • 1 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

This is an ideal first-time safari and is the perfect add-on to a holiday in Zanzibar. Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s biggest wildlife areas and is home to an abundance of animals.

US$2,470 - US$3,090 per person

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Bateleur Fly-in Safari

7 days • 4 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

Classic fly-in Namibian safari staying at excellent camps. Explore Sossusvlei’s dunes and track Damaraland’s desert elephants before a safari in Etosha. Incredible scenery, good wildlife viewing and authentic cultural experiences.

US$6,100 - US$9,630 per person

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Africa's top camps for wildlife safaris

The map shows wildlife sightings made from our lodges & camps. It's based on 90,292 reports from our travellers since March 2018.


Best chances to see

Good chances to see

Some sightings

No sightings yet

Wildlife species in Africa

Average % sighting of success

Wildlife species in Africa

Average % sighting of success

Quick facts about Lion

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Scientific name:

Panthera leo

Habitat:

Savanna & woodland

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

120–225kg

Lion

Quick facts about Leopard

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Scientific name:

Panthera pardus

Habitat:

Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

30–90kg

Leopard

Quick facts about Cheetah

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Scientific name:

Acinonyx jubatus

Habitat:

Grassland & woodland

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

50–70kg

Cheetah

Quick facts about Wild dog

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Scientific name:

Lycaon pictus

Habitat:

Savannah & woodland

IUCN status:

Endangered

Adult weight:

20–36kg

Wild dog

Quick facts about Mountain Gorilla

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Scientific name:

Gorilla beringei beringei

Habitat:

Montane cloud forest

IUCN status:

Endangered

Adult weight:

100–190kg

Mountain Gorilla

Quick facts about Chimpanzee

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Scientific name:

Pan troglodytes

Habitat:

Tropical forest & wooded savanna

IUCN status:

Endangered

Adult weight:

28–70kg

Chimpanzee

Quick facts about Aardvark

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Scientific name:

Orycteropus afer

Habitat:

Grassland & woodland

IUCN status:

Least Concern

Adult weight:

60–80kg

Aardvark

Quick facts about Black Rhino

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Scientific name:

Diceros bicornis

Habitat:

Scrub & open woodland

IUCN status:

Critically Endangered

Adult weight:

800–1,400kg

Black Rhino

Quick facts about Brown Hyena

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Scientific name:

Parahyaena brunnea

Habitat:

Semi-desert & savannah

IUCN status:

Near Threatened

Adult weight:

37–43kg

Brown Hyena

Quick facts about Buffalo

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Scientific name:

Syncerus caffer

Habitat:

Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands

IUCN status:

Near-threatened

Adult weight:

500–950kg

Buffalo

Quick facts about Eland

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Scientific name:

Taurotragus oryx

Habitat:

Open savanna & grasslands

IUCN status:

Least concern

Adult weight:

340–940kg

Eland

Quick facts about Elephant

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Scientific name:

Loxodonta africana

Habitat:

Woodland and savanna

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

2,500–6,500kg

Elephant

Quick facts about Gerenuk

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Scientific name:

Litocranius walleri

Habitat:

Flat, dry thornbush

IUCN status:

Near Threatened

Adult weight:

28–52kg

Gerenuk

Quick facts about Giraffe

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Scientific name:

Giraffa camelopardalis

Habitat:

Woodland savanna

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

800–1,200kg

Giraffe

Quick facts about Hippo

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Scientific name:

Hippopotamus amphibius

Habitat:

Freshwater rivers & wetlands

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

1,300–2,600kg

Hippo

Quick facts about Oryx

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Scientific name:

Oryx beisa and Oryx gazella

Habitat:

Arid savannah

IUCN status:

Endangered (O.b) /Least Concern (O.g)

Adult weight:

120–210kg (O.b) /180–240kg (O.g)

Oryx

Quick facts about Meerkat

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Scientific name:

Suricata suricatta

Habitat:

Semi-arid desert

IUCN Status:

Least Concern

Weight:

650g

Meerkat

Quick facts about Pangolin

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Scientific name:

Smutsia temminkii

Habitat:

Savannah woodland

IUCN status:

Vulnerable

Adult weight:

5–27kg

Pangolin

Quick facts about Roan antelope

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Scientific name:

Hippotragus equinus

Habitat:

Savannah woodland

IUCN status:

Least Concern

Adult weight:

180–300kg

Roan antelope

Quick facts about Sable antelope

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Scientific name:

Hippotragus niger

Habitat:

Savannah woodland

IUCN status:

Least Concern

Adult weight:

220–235kg

Sable antelope

Quick facts about Sitatunga

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Scientific name:

Tragelaphus spekeii

Habitat:

Swamps and swamp forest

IUCN status:

Least Concern

Adult weight:

24–119kg

Sitatunga

Quick facts about Spotted Hyena

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Scientific name:

Crocuta crocuta

Habitat:

Semi-desert, forest, savannah

IUCN status:

Least Concern

Adult weight:

40–80kg

Spotted Hyena

Quick facts about Striped Hyena

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Scientific name:

Hyaena hyaena

Habitat:

Semi-desert, savannah

IUCN status:

Near Threatened

Adult weight:

22–55kg

Striped Hyena

Quick facts about White Rhino

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Scientific name:

Ceratotherium simum

Habitat:

Woodland savannah

IUCN status:

Near Threatened

Adult weight:

1,800–2,700kg

White Rhino

Quick facts about Wildebeest

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Scientific name:

Connochaetes sp.

Habitat:

Open savannah & grasslands

IUCN status:

Least concern

Adult weight:

250–290kg

Wildebeest

Quick facts about Zebra

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Scientific name:

Equus quagga

Habitat:

Woodland and savannah

IUCN status:

Near Threatened

Adult weight:

155–322kg

Zebra

Best Chance to See

Use our Best Chance to See wildlife map tool above to explore Tanzania for lions, Zambia for leopards, Botswana for sable antelopes or Namibia for desert elephants. Choose your country and species to find out more.


Megafauna on the Map

Africa's national parks, game reserves, wildlife conservancies and other faunal sanctuaries provide critical breathing space and breeding grounds to endangered species from mountain gorillas to black rhinos.

Every country offered by Expert Africa has its own wildlife and conservation organisations, both private and governmental. Your overnight visits and park fees contribute enormously to the costs of conservation.

Ask your Expert Africa country planning specialist about particular species and sighting tips. We've lugged our lenses and bruised our backsides to bring you what we hope is the best wildlife safari information available.

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Africa wildlife

Wildlife by country

To understand more about the the wildlife in our other key destinations in Africa, click on the countries below, or visit our Africa wildlife country-by-country page.


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