Wildlife in South Africa: the animals you can see on safari

Undoubtedly one of the biggest pulls, aside from the sandy coastlines and warm weather, is South Africa’s staggering variety of wildlife.

Experience the adventure of seeing animals that you’ve only previously heard about in books or seen on the television or behind bars in the zoo; from the land to the sea and skies, South Africa is teeming with wildlife and if you have a bucket list, then a trip to this beautiful country for a safari should be on it.

The Big Five was a phrase originally coined by hunters to indicate the big game animals (elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo and rhinos), but this term is now used by many as their must-see list on a safari holiday, and the list includes some of the most iconic species Africa has to offer, with all of them found in South Africa.

Lioness and cub

Panthera leo

South Africa offers some of the best opportunities to see the king of the jungle, although you’re more likely to spot lions basking in grasslands, savannahs and shrublands than any jungle. Lions are probably one of the most recognisable animals in the whole of Africa, and perhaps the world. There are about 3,500 lions in South Africa, with most found in conservation areas.

African buffalo

Syncerus caffer

This large bovine is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and there are actually five subspecies of African buffalo. The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) is the largest African buffalo of all, and as its name suggests it's mainly found in southern Africa and east Africa. Despite being in the cow family it's not actually closely related to our domesticated cattle. The African buffalo has never been successfully domesticated long-term, primarily due to its unpredictable behaviour.

Rhino

Ceratotherium simum (white) and Diceros bicornis (black)

There are two species of African rhinoceros, the black rhino and the white rhino. The white rhino is the largest species of rhino and 80% of the population lives in South Africa, making it the ideal destination to spot these majestic creatures. They have also been reintroduced in other parts of the continent, including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Black rhinos are also found in South Africa, although they remain critically endangered.

Did you know? The name ‘white rhino’ does not refer to the colour of the rhino. It comes from the Afrikaans word for 'wide' – 'wyd,' and refers to the mouth of the rhino. It’s also sometimes known as the square-lipped rhinoceros.

African elephants

Loxodonta africana (bush) and Loxodonta cyclotis (forest)

African elephants, the world’s largest living land mammal, are found across 23 countries in Africa but the largest populations are in the south and eastern countries. South Africa is home to just under 230,000 individuals, meaning you have an extremely good chance of seeing them on safari in one of the country’s reserves, such as Kruger National Park which had around 13,000 elephants at the last census.

There are actually two species of African elephants – the bush elephant (or savannah elephant) and the slightly smaller forest elephant. Both species are at risk, with the bush elephant endangered and the forest elephant critically endangered.

Leopard

Panthera pardus pardus

Leopards still roam wild in South Africa under the cover of thick bush and rocks, although they’re most easily found in game reserves now.

Leopards primarily hunt small to medium-sized antelopes, but have been known to adapt and will even eat rodents and reptiles when times are hard.

Because of their nocturnal hunting habits and their tendency to spend their time up trees they’re probably the hardest of the Big Five to spot. Your best bet is to see them in a game reserve where they feel safe and comfortable, and are used to safari vehicles driving by.

There's a lot more to the wildlife of South Africa than the Big Five. The catalogue of fantastic species you can see is frankly exhaustive. Prepare to be awed by wildlife such as:

• Lions

• Elephants

• Buffalo

• Rhinos

• Leopards

• Zebras

• Crocodiles

• Giraffes

• Hippopotamus

• Cheetahs

• Hyenas

• Wildebeest

• Ostriches

• Aardvarks

• Wild dogs

• Chameleons

• Flamingoes

• Otters

• Meerkats

• Springbok

• Kudu

• Baboons

• Leatherback turtles

• Penguins

• Bustards

• Vultures

• Great white shark

You never know what you might witness just around the corner on safari in South Africa, or what you might spot along the coastline.

Penguins in Cape Town

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Did you know?

The national animal of South Africa is the springbok (Antidorcas marsupials), an antelope with a distinctive black horizontal stripe along its sides and face. It's closely related to the gazelle, but distinguished by its white hair on the back which becomes visible when 'stotting' or 'pronking' - jumping up with four legs off the ground simultaneously. It's this pouch that gives the springbok its Latin name from marsupium (pocket).

For the ambitious, there is another South African wildlife spotting challenge: the Little Five.

This list involves life in miniature, with the elephant shrew, the ant lion, the buffalo weaver, the rhinoceros beetle and the leopard tortoise making the cut.

Keep your wits sharp and your eyes sharper by trying to tick these tiny creatures off your list of animals to see in South Africa.

Keen ornithologists will be lost to their binoculars as they try to identify the striking hornbill, the kingfisher and the colourful lilac-breasted roller.

For those with less birdwatching expertise, there will be large birds like the roaming ostrich and exciting species including various eagles and vultures.

Majestic cranes, such as the blue crane – South Africa’s national bird—are handsome and sightings are common.

Along South Africa's coastline you can see the charming African penguin. They can be seen year-round but their peak breeding season is March to May. These birds can be spotted in Cape Town, where their numbers have been rapidly growing - a stark contrast to their numbers elsewhere in the country, which have fallen over 95% since pre-industrial times, unfortunately earning the African penguin a spot on the endangered species list.

If you head out to sea, you might just spot the famed albatross, the bird with the longest wingspan in the world, and the fabled good luck charm of sailors.

The best place to see pelagic birds would be to head for the cape, and for inland birds venture north towards Kruger National Park keep your eyes peeled.

Orca

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When people visit the wilds of South Africa it's often to see the famous land animals, but frequently forgotten is that the South African coastline is rich with sea life.

Encounter the ancient and enigmatic great white shark, unchanged over millions of years of evolution.

There's also a good chance you will catch a glimpse of whales off the South African coast, since the country provides a detour for many migrating species.

The most commonly spotted whale in the area is the southern right whale, but you’re in with a chance of witnessing Bryde’s whale, and the gentle giant of the sea – the humpback whale – too.

If you're very lucky, you may even spot the distinctive black and white features of an Orca pod.

Famously curious, dolphins are frequently spotted off the South African coastline as well.

If you head to the Rainbow Nation, don’t neglect its varied and awe-inspiring sea life. Take a boat trip out to sea, or tour the southern waters for your best chance of spotting these majestic animals.

Want to see the Big Five for yourself? Explore our range of South Africa holidays and safaris.