African safaris present one-of-a-kind opportunities to venture into the natural habitats of wildlife and discover the greatness of Mother Nature. While safaris have evolved over the years to be more accessible to everyone, one thing that remains unchanged is the magical touch of being out in the wild. There is always something captivating with Africa’s incredible wildlife, and regardless of whether it is the first or umpteenth time to visit the continent, the thrills of being in the wild never fade. This is further complemented by the fact that you can never be short of options on where to go on safari regardless of the season.
A highlight for any visitor to the continent is always the animals to see on safari. A close-up encounter with wildlife is without question the moment many adventure seekers would cherish as it is the most captivating script played right before your eyes. In looking to have an experience that will last a lifetime, the following are the most iconic animals to make a point of seeing:
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Lions
The king of the African jungle is always the highlight of an African safari, and it is one of the most impressive sights for lots of adventure seekers. Typically, you will find them in prides, and while they are natural hunters, they spend most of their time resting under large trees in the heat of the day. Great sightings of these big cats can be witnessed during the Great Wildebeest Migration which happens between the Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya.
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Elephants
These gigantic creatures are a wonder to behold, and one can never tire watching them in their large herds as they move quietly but steadily. Despite being under threats due to illegal poaching, proactive measures are being implemented, and there are great locations to see them, including Dunia Camp in Serengeti and Oliver’s camp in Tarangire, Tanzania.
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Buffalos
The African buffalo have a robust build and are highly aggressive, a feature that has seen the grazers be able to thrive in the savannah. It is a great encounter to come across their massive herds in the savannah, and it is an experience worth the safari.
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Rhinos
There are two species of the African rhino, namely the white rhinos and black rhinos, which despite the names all have grey color. A rare rhino conservation project at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp in Kenya has the only remaining two northern white rhinos. Sightings of other rhinos can be had in many different locations including Etosha National Park in Namibia and South Africa’s wildlife parks.
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Hippos
A safari would not be complete without getting to have a sighting of these enormous creatures that spend the day in the water and come out to feed at night. They are mostly seen at dawn and dusk when they are out grazing and are a popular feature in specific spots along rivers, swamps, and lakes in Africa.
