Africa is the place of rolling hills, warm sunsets, amazing culture and memorable wildlife. Travellers from all over the world head to Africa for a thrilling experience as they tick off the Big Five and other big game off their list. Found in diverse habitats, from mountain sides to savannah and tropical forests ecosystems, Africa’s most celebrated and fascinating animals are waiting for you to find them.
It surely is a once-in-a-lifetime experience spotting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant or buffalo – but what about those animals that aren’t so easy to see? Your next safari trip should be about trying to boost your bush-cred and try to find those more elusive animals. The idea that they are so hard to find is part of the appeal, able to elude the sights of humans, adds to their charming character. Whether you’re on a traditional safari in South Africa, on an adventure in Victoria Falls or immersing yourself in East Africa’s endless open spaces, keep an eye out for the more shy animals! These five animals will be a real treat for all our photographers and wildlife enthusiasts:
The Aardvark
Our first of the lesser seen, peculiar animals is the aardvark. Roaming the bush with its pale skin, a long snout resembling a pig’s and long bunny ears, there’s no chance you will mistake it. These nocturnal creatures are impressive diggers and can dig up to six metres deep in minutes. The best place to try and spot these little creatures with sturdy legs and long claws is the Addo Elephant National Park or the Kalahari.
The Leopard
Leopards are very secretive creatures and keep a low profile high up in trees or amongst the tall grass or bush. These big cats are the strongest feline climbers and can kill prey even larger than themselves. Because these creatures are always lurking until they can pounce on their prey, spotting them in the wild is a rare treat.
The Pangolin
This one is for the wildlife fanatics! With its unmistakeable bronze armour, the pangolin is extremely distinctive with its unique scales and unassailable attitude. Despite this invincible outlook, all eight species are endangered – being the most trafficked animal on earth. They have a really long and sticky tongue that’s almost 40cm long. Try spotting them in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
The Patas Monkey
Patas monkeys are considered the fastest primate on Earth. Their long limbs help them reach top speeds of 55km/h to evade predators and also makes it harder for us to catch a glimpse of them…
The Oryx
These majestic and graceful creatures have been hunted for their meat and hides, and in many cultures, the horns of the oryx are used as tokens or charms.
For your next wildlife bucket-list, why not change it up and try spotting these amazing creatures that make you work a little harder to find them.