Top 9 Best Animals To See On An African Safari (& Where To Spot Them)

Last Updated on July 22, 2026

Few experiences can match the thrill of spotting wildlife on an African safari. And no! It’s never just about the Big 5. Yes, the sheer size of these creatures is impressive, but the continent’s incredible animal diversity means there are plenty of other species just as worth seeing. From sightings of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest during the world-famous Great Migration to encounters with different giraffe species, it’s always a privilege to witness the grandeur of this side of the planet and see these amazing creatures in the wild. We have rounded up the top 10 animals to see on an African safari, along with the top places to spot them.

Elephant

The largest land animals in the world, elephants live in herds of 8-100 individuals, with the oldest and largest female (the matriarch) often leading the group. Spotting these creatures, especially in a large herd, is one of the most exhilarating experiences on an African safari.

Where to see elephants in Africa

Chobe National Park: Home to the highest concentration of elephants in Africa.
Tsavo Conservation Area: Has the largest elephant population in Kenya.
Hwange National Park: Boasts the largest elephant population in Zimbabwe.

Note: An elephant is one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. So, keep that in mind, especially if planning to self-drive. Be extra cautious around a lone bull – it’s one of the most unpredictable creatures in the wild, and can be very short-tempered.

Wildebeest

The Big Five might get all the attention, but the stars of the Great Migration sit right alongside them in the top creatures worth your time on an African safari. The sight of these massive, thundering herds traversing the Maasai Mara and Serengeti is a bucket-list adventure for any wildlife lover.

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Maasai Mara & Serengeti: Being the host of the Grandest Wildlife Spectacle in the Serengeti ecosystem, there’s no better place to see these wonderful creatures. Over 1.5 million of them, in the company of zebras and gazelles in hundreds of thousands, engage in the year-round cycle, primarily driven by survival and instinct. You can see them in different phases of the migration, from the calving season between January and March in Serengeti’s Ndutu Plains to the dramatic river crossings in July through October.

Tip: If you are aiming for a less-crowded experience of the spectacle, consider booking a stay with one of the Maasai Mara conservancies.

Lion

Proudly occupying the top of the food chain are lions. They are the biggest of the cats in the wild, and are known to live in prides, which can range anywhere from 3 to 40. Most of these prides consist of related lionesses, their cubs, and occasionally a single or a coalition of male lions.

They never hide or live in fear of the animals, so they are actually the easiest cats to spot on a safari. They are predominantly nocturnal, spending most of their day sleeping or resting to save up their strength for the night hunts. The best time to see them is at dawn or at dusk.

Where to see lions in Africa

The Serengeti ecosystem (Kenya/Tanzania): There’s no better place to spot lions than Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti. The ecosystem hosts the highest lion density in Africa, and is recognised for dramatic predator action, which gets more intense during the annual Wildebeest Migration in Zimbabwe.
Okavango Delta (Botswana): One of the best sustainable travel destinations in Africa, this wetland-heavy destination guarantees breathtaking and dense lion sightings, thanks to its unique bend of wetlands, seasonal foodplains, and wooded islands. Expect the most dramatic hunt and kill sightings in the Duba plains, where lions occasionally wrestle with buffalo.
Greater Kruger Area & Sabi Sands (South Africa): About 1,600 lions call this place home. For an unforgettable experience, consider visiting private reserves, like Sabi Sands, where you can go off-road or join expert lion tracking activities for close-up views.

Leopard

The leopard is famous for being one of the most elusive and notoriously difficult to spot animals in the African wild. This is due to a mix of their incredible camouflage mastery and solitary and nocturnal nature. Their intricate-patterned coats enable them to blend perfectly with the background, making tracking them extremely challenging, even for the most experienced safari guides.

Where to see leopards in Africa

South Luangwa National Park (Zambia): Often described as the “Valley of Leopard,” this park probably has the highest leopard density on the continent. Turning a corner without spotting one is nearly impossible.
Sabi Sand Game Reserve (South Africa): There’s no better spot for habituated leopard sightings. With decades of careful habituation, you’ll find it easier to enjoy close-up views of these creatures. And guides and trackers can always go off-road, which means more spotting opportunities.
Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya): One of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa at least once, Maasai Mara’s rolling grasslands make leopard spotting easier than densely wooded parks.

Rhino

An encounter with a rhino is one of the ultimate highlights of an African safari. There are two distinct rhino species on the continent: white and black rhinos. They differ a lot in their behaviour, looks, and diet, but both are iconic, and spotting either in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience. White rhinos are larger and more social than black rhinos, which are more elusive and are critically endangered.

Where to see rhinos in Africa

Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya): One of the best hidden safari hotspots in Kenya, Ol Pejeta is East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary, and also hosts the world’s two remaining northern white rhinos.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (South Africa): This KwaZulu-Natal gem is the historic birthplace of rhino conservation, and therefore guarantees some of the best rhino sightings in the world.
Etosha National Park (Namibia): Home to over 70% of the black rhino population in Namibia, Etosha is a stronghold for spotting these critically endangered species.

Crocodile

These prehistoric beauties are a must-see on a trip through the African wilderness. You can see them in nearly all major waterways on the continent. For the most unforgettable action, plan a visit during the Great Migration river crossings.

Where to see crocodiles in Africa

The Mara and Grumeti Rivers (Kenya/Tanzania): The river crossings, particularly the Mara River, thanks to its steep banks, offer the best opportunities for high-stakes hunting encounters.
The Okavango Delta (Botswana): Known for offering some of the water-based safaris in Africa, the Okavango Delta’s mokoro trips allow close-up views of crocodiles.
South Luangwa National Park (Zambia): The Luangwa River is a stronghold for Nile crocodiles, hosting some of the highest populations in Africa. During the dry season, you can easily spot 10-20 at once on a short stretch of the riverbank.

Related post: 7 Best Wildlife Conservancies In Kenya

Cape Buffalo

Africa’s only wild cattle species, the Cape Buffalo, is native to East and Southern Africa, and can weigh up to 2,000 lbs and grow up to 5.5 ft in height. Among the Big Five, they are the best animals to see on an African safari. They congregate in herds of 50-500, and sometimes super-herds of thousands during the dry season. This trait is a vital survival mechanism, allowing them to protect themselves from predators and also secure drinking sources. It also makes them the easiest of the Big Five members to spot.

Where to see Cape buffalo in Africa

Maasai Mara and Amboseli National Park (Kenya): You can see large herds of Cape buffalo of up to 300 in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. For a less-crowded experience, consider Amboseli National Park, one of the top Maasai Mara alternatives, where you can see these creatures against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Katavi National Park: This is probably Tanzania’s most underrated national park, but it hosts some of Africa’s most massive buffalo herds, sometimes seen in thousands.
Chobe River (Botswana): The river’s floodplains are a fantastic spot to view large herds of buffalo, particularly between June and October, the dry season, when they gather near the water.

Giraffe

Giraffes are probably the most majestic creatures in the African wild. Unique coat patterns, towering height of up to 6 meters tall, and a winding purple-black tongue that can grow up to 45 cm long – they are one-of-a-kind! Watching them gracefully walk through the trees and bushes is one of the most beautiful African safari experiences.

Where to see giraffes in Africa

Giraffe Centre (Kenya): The Giraffe Centre offers some of the most unforgettable giraffe encounters. Here, you can have fun feeding the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. For a more immersive encounter, book a stay at the adjoining Giraffe Manor, one of the world’s most unique hotels, where you can literally interact with these adorable creatures from your breakfast table.
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania): You can easily spot massive herds of the Maasai giraffe in Serengeti’s vast, open savannahs.
Samburu National Park (Kenya): One of the most underrated safari destinations, Samburu is home to the Reticulated Giraffe, which is among Northern Kenya’s endemic species.

Related post: Kenya Safari Guide For First Timers

Gorilla

Did you know we share 98% of of the same DNA with gorillas? The largest living primates on Earth, these creatures are our second-closest living relatives, after bonobos and chimpanzees, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program. This is why it’s among the best animals to see on an African safari. One of their most interesting traits is being incredibly intelligent and emotional, and watching them in the wild created beautiful memories.

Where to see gorillas in Africa

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda): With nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population calling this place home, it’s among the best places for gorilla trekking. And you can obtain your permit for as low as $800 as a foreign non-resident, making this a low-budget experience you shouldn’t miss.
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda): Another hotspot for mountain gorillas is Volcanoes, known for its luxury-centred trekking experience, with permits going for $1,500.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park (DRC): There’s no better place for lowland gorilla encounters than this park. Stay in Ngaga Camp in the Congo Basin for the most intimate viewing experience.

In conclusion, there are many animals to see on an African safari. Whether it’s your first time on the continent or you are a seasoned safari goer, seeing these creatures in the wild will definitely deepen your love and appreciation for Africa’s unmatched biodiversity.

Top 9 Best Animals to See on an African Safari (& Where to Spot Them)