10 African Animals You’ll See On a Kenyan Safari
According to Trading Economics, an average of 76,608 tourists visit the country of Kenya each year. Because the east African country is known for its exotic safaris, grand savannas, and view alongside the Indian Ocean – it’s no wonder why tourists from all over the world have made Kenya one of the top destinations on their bucket list.
But besides its landscape and beautiful highlands – Kenya is also well-known for its animals. From the wild giraffe to the cheetah – the country’s remarkable national parks will leave you in awe when you visit.
Want to know the kind of animals you’ll run into in safari. No worries. We’ve got you covered. Here are 10 African animals you’ll see on a Kenyan safari.
10 African Animals You’ll See On A Kenyan Safari
Wondering what African animals you’ll run into while visiting the beautiful country of Kenya? Get your cameras ready! Here’s the ultimate list of animals you’ll see in the wild safari.
1. Lion
You don’t need to be a Kenyan expert to know that the lion is the national emblem of Kenya. For years, the lion has been known as the king of the jungle because of its aggression and reputation it has effortlessly earned in the safari.
When you make it to the safari, you’ll immediately notice the lion’s enormous size, stature, and graceful walk that makes it fascinating to watch. In addition, lion’s are extremely social animals. They normally aren’t dangerous to humans unless they’re wounded or feel cornered.
2. Elephant
Ode to the world’s largest of the African animals! When it comes to elephants, there aren’t many predators because of how big they are.
Here are some fun facts about elephants that you should know before stepping foot into the safari:
- They have a sharp sense of smell
- They are extremely intelligent
- They have the ability to recognize one another
- Oh! And they’re memory is phenomenal
3. Buffalo
Out of all the African animals, the buffalo is undeniably one of the most feared animals. Because of its wild temper, there are not very many animals in the safari who will face the buffalo one on one.
When scoping the safari for wild African animals, you’ll notice that buffalo closely resemble cows. The only difference? They’re usually a greyish-black color. It’s infamously known for its horns that lie across their forehead.
4. Rhinoceros
When you make it to Kenya, one of the African animals that you don’t want to miss is going to be the rhinoceros. Because they’re quickly becoming an endangered species, they are valued among the African animals.
When it comes to the rhinoceroses in Kenya, there are two kinds; black and white. The white rhinoceros’ tend to hang out in bigger groups and have large mouths for grazing. The black rhinoceros’ are known for their poor sight but a great sense of smell. They tend to wander by themselves but are the more dangerous of the two species.
5. Leopard
Oh, the silent hunter! Out of all the animals in the jungle, the leopard is undeniably one of the most elusive. You might recognize their gorgeous skin because of its timeless place in fashion.
People tend to confuse the leopard and the cheetah so we wanted to point out the differences:
- A leopard is going to be a bit stouter than a cheetah
- Cheetahs tend to have black tear marks around their eyes
- Leopards skins have black rings where cheetahs have black spots
6. Zebras
Even though they can be found all over Africa, Live Science‘s website tells us that the zebras located in Kenya are mainly going to be the Grevy’s and common zebras. Undeniably one of the most beautiful animals, Kenyan zebras often replicate the stature and poise of a horse.
The differences between the two are fairly obvious. It’s all in the stripes. The common zebra has broader stripes compared to the Grevy’s. The Grevy’s zebras are commonly found in Northern Kenya while common zebras are scattered throughout the beautiful country.
7. Giraffes
Say hello to the world’s tallest animal. In Kenya, there are three categories of giraffes. Here’s what to expect:
- The reticulated giraffe is normally found in Samburu National Park and is known for its infamous white lines.
- The Maasai giraffe is found in Amboseli, Tsavo, and the Maasai Mara. These are known for their leaf-shaped patterns.
- The Rothschild’s giraffe looks similar to the Maasai but doesn’t have any patterns past their knees.
8. Nile crocodile
Planning on visiting one of Kenya’s national parks while you’re here? Don’t forget to look out for the Nile crocodile. Even though it might sound dangerous, the Nile crocodile mainly consumes fish but will eat anything that crosses its path if able.
9. Somali ostrich
We couldn’t get through the ultimate list of African animals without highlighting the Somali ostrich. Possessing the largest eyes of any land animal, the Somali ostrich is going to take the top spot for the largest feathered creature on the planet. In addition, they are extremely fast animals and rank primary when it comes to the fastest two-legged creature.
10. Common Baboon
The last on our list is the Common Baboon. Aside from humans, the Common Baboon is going to be one of the most adaptable mammals/primates. As long as the area where they are residing has fresh water and trees to climb, the Common Baboon is bound to set up shop in this safe haven.
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Whether you’re wondering what kind of African animals you’ll encounter when you visit Africa or want to know all the fun things to do in Nairobi – we’ve got you covered. Because we’ve worked with some of the most well-known tour operators in the whole country, we’ve become masters of coordinating and organizing itineraries.
Thinking about coming to Kenya for a vacation? From exploring the safaris to recreational mountain climbing- let us customize your itinerary. Feel free to contact us and a member of our team will be more than happy to reach out to you.