Many travellers come to South Africa to go on a safari. There is something about that bush experience, coupled with suspense that makes travellers go giddy with excitement to spot their favourite animals. Besides the Big 5, which are the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, people also go in search for other beautiful animals. Here are some animals you will find in South Africa:
Giraffe
Picture: Clinton Moodley.
I call them the models of the wild. They are always finding ways to strut a pose whenever people pass by. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth and their spots are all different patterns.
Giraffes can be spotted at almost any game park, but for the best experience visit the Lion Park and Safari in Lanseria . There is a giraffe that visitors can interact with.
Zebra
Picture: Clinton Moodley.
Zebras are such stunning animals and so graceful. The shy animals love walking with the wildebeest and giraffes. Zebras are fast-moving animals with speed levels up to 65kmph and are fast enough to outrun predators. My favourite interaction with a zebra was while on a horse safari in Drakensberg. A mother was protecting her injured calf, clinging to it. Visit Mountain Zebra National Park for an encounter with a difference.
Kudu
Picture: Clinton Moodley.
Kudus are by far one of the most beautiful kind of antelope. They are shy and love hiding in the bushes, a tactic that keeps them safe from predators. They are Kudus are diurnal animals, meaning they remain active in the day and sleep at night. While they are plenty in game drives, one must be vigilant to spot them.
Hippo
Jessica the Hippo in Mpumalanga. Picture: YouTube.
Did you know that an open mouth is not a yawn but rather a warning for people. Often one will also hear them honk or grunt to mark their territory. Hippos can survive on land and water. For the most amazing experience, go on a boat cruise at the St Lucia Wetlands to see them up close.
Springbok
Picture: Wikipedia.
The springbok is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa. The sole member of the genus Antidorcas, this bovid was first described by the German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann in 1780. Spot some springbok at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape.