Genus: Cercopithecus - Dryas MonkeyThe Dryas Monkey (Cercopithecus dryas), also known as Salonga Monkey or Ntolu, is a little-known species of guenon found only in the Congo Basin, restricted to the left bank of the Congo River.The Dryas Monkey has now been established … [Read more...]
African Animals
Did you know that Africa is home to some of the most interesting and diverse wildlife in the world?
From lions and elephants to giraffes and zebras, there are plenty of animals to see on a safari in Africa.
But what about the "Big Five?"
The Big Five refers to the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa:
While these are some of the most impressive creatures you'll see on an African safari, there is so much more waiting for you beyond the Big Five.
Other top wild animal sightings in Africa include:
There are also many different types of birds, reptiles, and amphibians to see in Africa.
Endangered Animals In Africa
The African continent is home to some of the most iconic and beautiful animals in the world. Unfortunately, many of these animals are now endangered due to a variety of factors including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade. Some of the most endangered animals in Africa include:
- The African elephant is one of the most iconic animals on the continent and is also one of the most endangered. African elephants are threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal ivory trade.
- The African lion is another big cat that is facing several threats including habitat loss, trophy hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
- The black rhinoceros is a critically endangered species with an estimated population of just over 5000 animals. Black rhinos are threatened by habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict.
- The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered primates in the world with an estimated population of fewer than 1000 animals. Mountain gorillas are threatened by habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict.
Many other animals are endangered in Africa including the cheetah, the African wild dog, and the vulturine guineafowl.
It is important to raise awareness about these animals and the threats they face so that we can work together to protect them.
African Birds
The birds of Africa are amongst the most varied, numerous, and colourful of anywhere in the world. The continent is home to over 2,300 documented bird species, of which 67% are endemic to Africa.
Learn more about the Birds of Africa.
African Elephant
African Elephants The African elephant, (Loxodonta Africana), is also known as the 'African Bush Elephant'. Both the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African Elephant. However, the African … [Read more...]
Fennec Fox
The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small fox native to the Sahara Desert, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Arava and Negev deserts in Israel. They are most notable for their very large ears, which are used to both aid their hearing and to help them to control their body … [Read more...]
Thomson’s Gazelle
Thomson's Gazelle The Thomson's Gazelle is the smallest, daintiest and fastest of all gazelles. Sometimes referred to as 'Tommy', this gazelle was named after the Scottish explorer, Joseph Thomson who explored Africa in 1890. These graceful antelopes are still one of the most … [Read more...]
Giant Sable Antelope
The Giant Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger variani) is one of the larger antelopes and a rare sub-species of the Sable Antelope.These magnificent and graceful antelopes are native and endemic to the region between Cuango and Luando Rivers in Angola, South-Central … [Read more...]
Giraffe
The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis meaning 'fast walking camel leopard) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species.The giraffe is related to deer and cattle, however, it is placed in a separate family, the Giraffidae, consisting … [Read more...]
Masai Giraffe
The Masai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), also known as the Kilimanjaro Giraffe is the largest subspecies of nine subspecies of the giraffe family. Masai giraffes can be distinguished from Reticulated Giraffes because they have jagged spots on their bodies instead … [Read more...]
Reticulated Giraffe
The Reticulated Giraffe or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), is a subspecies of giraffe native to Somalia, however, it is also widely found in Northern Kenya. Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe subspecies in captivity or if populations are … [Read more...]
Okapi
The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a mammal located in the Ituri Rainforest in the north east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa.Although it has striped markings similar to those of the zebra, it is more closely related to the giraffe.Native just to … [Read more...]
Poison Arrow Frogs
Poison Arrow Frogs or Poison Dart Frogs is the common names of the 'Dendrobatidae' family of small, diurnal frogs. Poison Arrow Frogs are usually found in Central and South American rainforests, near water sources. Most Poison Arrow Frogs are the size of an adult humans … [Read more...]