Common Animals to see on Kenya safari
Common Animals to see on Kenya safari : The phrase “Africa” throws up vivid images in most people’s minds, mainly of immense plains covered in exotic game scattered across them. Most foreign visitors to Africa will go on safari and learn that nothing is more spectacular than up-close experiences with the amazing animals of the continent. The majority of the species observed during a Kenya safari are exclusive to Africa, and several of them are easily identifiable. This article examines 15 of the most recognisable creatures on the continent, including the members of the African Big Five.
1: African Lion
One of the most breathtaking and humble experiences a Kenya safari can provide is witnessing a lion in its native environment. Though seeing a kill is the ultimate reward, you’re more likely to observe one dozing off than actively hunting for meals. Lions are most active around dusk and dawn and can snooze for up to 20 hours a day. Of all the wild cat species, they are the most gregarious, living in prides of five to ten mature lions. On a kenya safari tours the best places to see lions in Kenya are Maasai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo East National Park, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu National Reserve and Meru National Park.
2: Elephants
Nothing compares to witnessing an African elephant for the first time in its natural habitat. Elephants are the biggest land mammal on Earth, so their size alone is intimidating, but many people are also drawn to them because of their palpable air of wisdom. Elephants can be found in a variety of sub-Saharan environments, including as savanna, woodlands, and deserts. They may consume up to 600 pounds of plants a day because they are herbivores. Elephants are generally calm animals, but if they feel threatened, they can become aggressive. In fact, humans pose a much greater threat to elephants than they do to us.
Places to find elephants on Kenya safari tours are: Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park and Tsavo National Parks.
3:Giraffes
You would think that giraffes would be simple to locate on kenya safari because they are the tallest mammal on Earth. But giraffes are quite good at hiding thanks to their characteristic brown and white markings; they frequently appear out of the brush a few feet distant. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nine subspecies, all of which have incredibly long necks, blue tongues, and stubby protrusions on their heads that resemble horns. The giraffe’s neck has special veins and valves that control blood flow to its head, allowing it to drink without passing out.
These beautiful amazing animals are the most common in almost all the National parks and conservancies across Kenya from Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National park, Chyulu Hills National Park and Samburu National Park.
4: African Leopard
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to the rare African leopard, a subspecies of leopard. Due to their nocturnal habits and extreme aversion to humans, leopards are considered to be among the hardest kenya safari animals to spot, despite their extensive range. Leopards are most frequently seen in trees during the day because they use them as observation points and as a sort of protection. These are solitary creatures with remarkable abilities as predators, such as the capacity to swim, climb, and haul prey up into the trees at a weight up to three times their own. The IUCN Red List has leopards listed as vulnerable.
They are frequently observed in Laikipia, Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve.
5: White rhinos
The shape of the lower lip is wide and square for white rhinos and pointed for black rhinos that is the simplest way to distinguish between the two rhino species found in Africa. The Dutch word for “wide” was mistranslated, giving rise to the name “white” rhino. Since white rhinos are more common and consequently easier to identify, especially in Lake Nakuru National Park where they favour grassland and savanna settings, both species are threatened by extensive poaching. Of the five rhino species that still exist, white rhinos are the largest. Among the biggest land mammals in the world are adult males, who weigh an average of 5,100 pounds.
On kenya safari tours you’ll find Rhinos in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park and Nairobi National Park.
6:Cheetah
The most slender big cat in Africa is the cheetah, a gorgeous animal renowned for its amazing speed. They are the fastest land animal in the world, reaching brief sprints of up to 70 mph. Despite their speed, cheetahs frequently lose their kills to other, more formidable predators. With about 7,100 individuals remaining in the wild, including a small population of about 40 individuals in Iran, they are a vulnerable species. Cheetahs can be found in vast spaces with plenty of room to run at their maximum speed when hunting their prey throughout Southern and Eastern Africa.
They are found in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
7:African Buffalo
African buffalo are known for their unusual joined horns and sturdy builds. Being grazers, they usually travel in groups and have only lions and crocodiles as natural predators. Because of its innate aggression and unpredictable behaviour, the African buffalo has never been successfully domesticated, in contrast to other species of wild buffalo. While it’s certainly an amazing sight to observe a buffalo herd roaming the savanna, it’s important to treat these animals with respect. They are regarded as one of the most hazardous creatures on the continent and are accountable for numerous human deaths each year.
8:Hippopotamuses
In the rivers, wetlands, and lakes of Southern and Eastern Africa, hippos are frequently sighted. Hippos, which are frequently observed in groups of up to 100, live their whole lives in the water and only come out to graze on the riverbanks at nightfall. The ability to secrete a type of natural sunscreen, enormous canine tusks, and webbed feet are just a few of their amazing adaptations. Like buffalo, male hippos are territorial animals that can become extremely hostile when agitated. In a same vein, avoid ever getting in the way of a mother hippo and her young. Popularly seen in Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo
9:Crocodiles
Nile crocodiles, with the largest known to date surpassing 20 feet in length, are the largest living reptile in the world, after saltwater crocodiles. They can be found in a variety of aquatic environments in sub-Saharan Africa, such as lakes, rivers, and deltas. Because of their excellent underwater concealment, crocodiles are most frequently seen lounging on riverbanks. Their thick armoured skin and powerful jaws give them a prehistoric appearance, fitting their millions of years of existence. As expert predators, Nile crocodiles use ambush strategies to catch their victims off guard.
Best Place to See Crocodiles: During East Africa’s yearly migration, observe herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River to witness Nile crocodiles in action.
10:Warthog
Taking over natural burrows and abandoned aardvark tunnels, warthogs flourish in grasslands, marshes, and savanna forest. Warthogs will spend the day searching for food by digging into the earth to find berries, grass, roots, and tubers. They do this by using their powerful neck muscles and cushioned knees. Boars like living alone or in bachelor groups, but sows live in matriarchal groups of up to forty female warthogs and piglets.
11:Kudu
The greater kudu and lesser kudu subspecies of this antelope species are distinguished from one another by their white vertical stripes, spots, and chevron pattern between their eyes. Lesser kudus often favour the dense thorn bush surrounding East Africa, while greater kudus are more common in the lowland of southern Africa, especially Kenya and the Horn of Africa. Males, who have lengthy horns that can reach a length of six feet, are usually observed by themselves or with other bachelors, though during mating season, you might come across them with females as well. Conversely, female kudus reside in small herds alongside their young.
Top Destinations to See Kudu: Kenya’s Tsavo National Park is the finest place to see larger kudus.
