South Africa is well-known for its amazing safaris. You can choose to spend 4 days in the Kruger National Park or in a Private Game Reserve close to Cape Town. Whatever your choice, you will live an incredible encounter with the wildlife like the famous Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant)! Discover, in picture, 10 of the most fascinating animals you can meet during a surprising Safari in South Africa.
#1: Lion
The meeting with the king of the savannah is always awaited with great interest during a Safari! Sometimes, you can see just one of them free-roaming and looking for its next prey. Another time, we can come accross an entire family relaxing in the shade under a tree for instance.
#2: Leopard
It is always difficult to see leopards during a Safari. To have the opportunity to encounter some of them, prefer Games Viewing at sunrise or sunset. Indeed, it is the moment of the day when they hunt and are so more exposed.
#3: Rhino
Rhinos are the biggest mammals on earth after elephants. During a Safari, you can sometimes see youngs as they follow their mother like their shadow during about the 2 first years of their life.
Unfortunately, they are threatened species in the world and several Game Reserve work for their protection, like the Inverrdoorn Game Reserve, located only 2 hours away from Cape Tow.
#4: Buffalo
The bufallo is probably the less well-known of the Big 5. However, it is an impressive animal easily recognizable thanks to its horns. Buffalo live in herds of about 100 specimens. Moreover, in Africa, this animal is considered as one of the most dangerous.
#5: Elephant
Probably the most impressive of all the animals in the bush! The elephant is the biggest mammal on earth. The herds count about 10 elephant females and their elephant calves, leaded by the oldest one. At adulthood, males leave the group to live alone most of the time. During the dry season, it is not rare to see them enjoying a mud-bath cool off. They are spectacular moments!
#6: Giraffe
The giraffe is a remarkable animal, of course, the tallest in the savannah! It is only afraid of lions, end yet, it can see it coming thanks to its size. A giraffe is even able to leave behind the lion as it can run as fast as the famous predator. By the way, if you have the opportunity to see them running, note the original gait. Indeed, when they run, giraffes raise at the same the legs on the same side. It is very interesting to see it for real! At the Inverdoorn Game Reserve, you can even have the opportunity to walk with them…
#7: Zebra
Zebras live in a family group usually composed of one male, two females and their youngs. Each zebra has a different coat from the others. It is like a fingerprint for a human. This particularity allows scientists to take a census of the zebra’s population quite easily. In their natural environment, you can often find them close to watering places, especially during the dry season.
#8: Springbok
The Springbok is a famous animal in South Africa as it is the symbol of the South African rugby team. It name comes from two Afrikaans words: “spring” meaning “jump” and “bok” meaning “antelope”. It certainly comes from the characteristic behavior of the animal which jump to let the others know that a danger is coming. A springbok jump on average between one and two meters but it may jump until four meters.
#9: Ostriches
The ostrich is the biggest bird known on earth by its size and its weight! It can’t fly but run very fast. In the wildlife, ostriches live in groups of five or six but it is not rare to see a herd counting about fifty specimens. In the savannah, thanks to their size, they can quickly see the danger coming. So, when they start to run, the other animals do the same which provokes a sudden stampede.
#10: Hippo
Hippos essentially spend their day in herd of twenty, in the freshwater and the mud to protect their sensitive skin from the sunrays. So, during the night, they leave the watering places to find some plants to eat. Despite its easy-going attitude, a hippo can be very dangerous, even some crocodiles don’t venture to bother them…
Do not hesitate any longer and come to live an unforgettable Safari in South Africa! Discover our tours, whether around Cape Town, on the Garden Route or at the Kruger National Park.
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