10 Animals You’ll See on Safari tours in Tanzania
Planning to go on a safari in Tanzania? Who wouldn’t? It’s home to the Big Five wild animals and the site of the earliest human skull in history.
Tanzania is the perfect place to see animals up-close and in their natural habitat. Seeing a lion with his pride is a far cry from what you’d experience in the zoo or on Nat Geo WILD shows.
But what kind of animals will you see? Which ones should you look out for?
To help you plan, here is a list of 10 animals you’ll spot while on a Tanzania Safari:
Lion
The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the “Big Five” wildlife animals you have to see when taking a safari in Tanzania. They’re the most social of the big felines, which means you’ll see them in a large group called a pride. This means you’re going to see a lot of lions and Tanzania is also home to the specific group of tree-climbing lions too.
Don’t expect to see the lions in a lot of action, however. Lions sleep most of the day, and when they do hunt, it’s the females that do the hard work. You’ll most likely drive by while the lions lounge and relax in their territory.
Leopard
Often confused with the jaguar, leopards (Panthera pardus) have short legs, a long body, and a big skull. They have spots on their body, called rosettes, which makes them very similar to the jaguar. A few good ways to distinguish the two is to remember leopards don’t have central dots in their spots and they’re generally smaller than a jaguar.
The term “black panther” refers to both the jaguar and leopard when they are melanistic, which is a condition affecting their fur color. The leopard is part of the Big Five group of must-see African animals. Make sure to look for one during your African safari trip.
Hook-Lipped Rhino
Also called the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), this rhino is critically endangered, and three sub-species have already gone extinct. The last west black rhinoceros died back in 2011. The black rhino is a part of the Big Five.
Getting a chance to see these animals and learn about other rare, endangered species while on a safari trip is a great reason to bring kids. There’s a lot to learn before these animals go extinct.
The other kind of rhinoceros is the white rhino, but both the white and black terms are inaccurate. Both kinds of rhinoceros come in a myriad of colors such as gray and brown.
Due to how rare this rhino is now, you’ll most likely spot it while traversing the Ngorongoro Center. You may also spot one in the Selous or Serengeti parks. The probability of seeing a herd is low, given how they are solitary animals, but you may spot a mother with a young calf.
African Elephant
There are extant species of the African elephant: the African forest elephant and the African bush elephant. The latter is the biggest land animal alive today, and the forest elephant ranks as the third. Elephants are also a part of the Big Five.
One of the main differences between African elephants and Asian elephants is that the former grows tusks for both male and females.
You’ll spot the elephants during your safari trip in Tanzania when you pass through the Arusha National Park and Kilimanjaro. You may also spot them in the Lake Manyara National Park.
African Buffalo
The last of the Big Five, the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is the only species of wild cattle in Africa. Its ancestry is still a mystery, and it’s not too closely related to other bovine species around the world, even to the similar Asian buffalo.
Unlike the Asian buffalo, the African extant is wildly unpredictable. No one has properly domesticated the African buffalo because of this wild nature. This also makes it one of the most dangerous wild animals you can encounter while on a Tanzania safari trip.
It’s big, wild, and dangerous, which make it one of the most highly sought hunting trophies in Africa. You will spot herds as you travel through the Serengeti National Park.
Giraffe
You might think that the giraffe’s long neck and distinct features would make it easy to spot, but this is not the case. The giraffe (Giraffa) uses its fur pattern to blend in and camouflage with the rest of its environment. This can make it difficult to spot them during a safari trip unless they’re on the move.
There is only one species of giraffe left. Seven other species lived but went extinct before modern day.
You will see giraffes within the Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti.
Abbott’s Duiker
Called the minde (Cephalophus spadix) in native Swahili, these are a type of small antelope. You’ll only find them in Tanzania, making a safari in Tanzania a necessary trip if you want to get a glimpse of these elusive creatures. It’s so rare that the first photograph of this creature was only taken as recent as 2003.
They are nocturnal beasts, and they often hide from humans. If you want a chance to spot them, your highest chance is to stay wary while exploring Kilimanjaro.
Wildebeest
Other than the Big Five, the wildebeest is the main attraction in Tanzania. These animals move in herds of 30 or so animals, and you can hear their stampede even from a distance. You’ll spot even larger herds as they migrate across the Serengeti National Park.
They are the most common antelope in Tanzania. You won’t have to look hard to get a good look at these majestic creatures.
Thomson’s Gazelle
Found throughout the Serengeti, the Thomson’s Gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is arguably the most popular gazelle. Not only is its unique look easy to identify but it is also beautiful to watch in motion. These gazelles are the fifth fastest animals on land, reaching a maximum running speed of 50 to 55 miles per hour.
Some of the distinct features that set this animal apart from other gazelles include a light forehead, a dark stripe that runs from the eyes to the nose, and a black band across its lower flanks.
Keep in mind there are two variations found not only in Tanzania but all across the eastern continent. The Serengeti variation has lighter and unique facial markings compared to the other.
Spotted Hyenas
Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are also referred to as laughing hyenas due to their iconic “laughter” and howls. Contrary to popular belief, they’re not scavengers. Other hyenas scavenge dead carcasses for food, but the spotted hyena is both a resourceful and intelligent active hunter.
They also hunt in large packs, up to 70 animals. This is different from other kinds of hyenas that tend to move in small groups.
Take a Safari in Tanzania Today!
Excited to see these animals? Don’t wait for them to disappear from the face of the Earth! More animals go extinct or get listed on the endangered species each year.
Get up close and see them out in the wild. Visit us today and learn more details about an African safari trip. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime.