Safari animals free#

Where to find it: Kruger Park and the Namiri Plains area of the Serengeti All eight species have been placed on the International Union for the Conservation of NatureРІР‚в„ўs РІР‚Вred listРІР‚в„ў. Sadly Pangolin poaching in South Africa has reached epic levels and itРІР‚в„ўs believed they are the most poached mammals on earth. You are more likely to spot them during the cooler hours of the day, as they are nocturnal with a diet consisting of mainly ants and termites which they capture using their long tongue. Its outer body is armour-plated and when threatened, it rolls up into a tight ball to protect its vulnerable stomach and head. This mammal is also known as the anteater, and is one of the rarest animals in Africa.

Interesting Fact: African wild dogs only have four toes per foot, unlike the five toes of domestic dogs. Where to find it: Madikwe Game Reserve has the largest concentration of wild dogs in Southern Africa

Safari animals free#

They have few natural predators, but loss of habitat and diseases such as rabies have made them the most endangered large carnivore in Southern Africa РІР‚вЂњ there are fewer than 400 free ranging animals left in the wild. Wild dogs move in packs and are extremely efficient hunters, with a higher kill rate than any other predator. They are very hard to spot and are best seen on early morning game drives. The African wild dog is also known as the painted dog because their name in Latin, Lycaon Pictus, means РІР‚Вpainted wolf-like animalРІР‚в„ў. Interesting fact: Their favourite food is harvester termites, which they forage for during the night by walking with their ears close to the ground to pick up the movements of these underground insects. Where to find it: Greater Kruger National Park They primarily eat insects and use their large ears to locate their prey. YouРІР‚в„ўll usually see them in areas where the grass is kept short by other grazing animals.

The bat-eared fox is found throughout Southern and East Africa and gets its name from its large ears, which are used to regulate its temperature. Interesting Fact: A Bushbaby's eyes canРІР‚в„ўt move in their sockets, and so their head is continually active when searching for prey. Where to find it: Kruger Park and Mozambique ItРІР‚в„ўs native to South Africa but can be found all over Southern and East Africa. In fact, youРІР‚в„ўre more like to hear it than see it on safari РІР‚вЂњ itРІР‚в„ўs the one making the baby-like cries that pierce the night, which is also the origin of its English name. ItРІР‚в„ўs fairly common but not easily seen due to its nocturnal behaviour. The Galago, or Bushbaby, as itРІР‚в„ўs more commonly known, is the smallest primate in Africa. Interesting fact: The elephant shrew is also known as the jumping shrew, as they can hop like rabbits using their long back legs. Where to find it: Kruger National Park and over most of South Africa and Namibia Their speed means theyРІР‚в„ўre very seldom seen РІР‚вЂњ or caught on camera! The elephant shrew is one of the fastest small mammals on earth, reaching speeds of 28.8 km/h. TheyРІР‚в„ўre found throughout southern Africa in a variety of habitats, from the arid plains of the Namib Desert to boulder-strewn outcrops and thick forests. The Elephant Shrew has a trunk and long nose just like an elephant. Interesting fact: The perineal gland secretion of the civet has been the basic ingredient for many perfumes for hundreds of years and is still being used today. This civet lives both in the forest and open country but prefers hiding in tall grasses or thickets during the daytime, as theyРІР‚в„ўre primarily nocturnal. The black bands around its eyes resemble those of the racoon and it has disproportionately large hindquarters with an erect crest running down its back. ItРІР‚в„ўs a solitary animal with a very unique coat РІР‚вЂњ black and white stripes and blotches.

The African Civet is found in the forests of central and southern Africa. If youРІР‚в„ўre lucky, you might even be able to snap a few photos. When you head out on safari, youРІР‚в„ўve usually got your eyes peeled for the Big Five РІР‚вЂњ lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino РІР‚вЂњ but there some rarer animals that itРІР‚в„ўs worth keeping an eye out for.