African Safari. Commonly referred to as "The trip of a lifetime", "Life changing; an experience you'll never forget", "What happens in Africa, stays in Africa" ... ok, so that last one is normally reserved for Vegas, but then again you never know. 😂
While a recount of our entire trip will be way too lengthy and definitely wouldn't be considered a "quick read", I wanted to showcase the beautiful, exotic, and ferocious animals we encountered on our Adventure Through the Wild.
With that being said, enjoy the photos and fun facts. Also, I'd love to hear from you all if you've had similar experiences or even have a fun fact to share.
(Sighting rating ⭐ = very common to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = STOP...grab your camera!)
(Photos taken on a Canon T1i, 100-400mm zoom lens ... a MUST HAVE for any safari)
(Animal facts from: game drive - a safari guide greater kruger, third edition - van den berg. Game Drive: Heinrich Van De: 9780620419352: Amazon.com: Books)
Killers and Scavengers
Black-backed Jackal ⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Forms single partner bond for life
Social structure: Travel in pairs, shy, territorial
Life expectancy: 10 years
Gestation: ~ 2months
Lion ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: When a new male coalition takes over a pride, they usually kill the cubs of the previous male to promote the new coalition's own offspring
Social structure: Pride, brotherhood
Life expectancy: ~20 years
Gestation: ~3.5 months
The Giants
Hippopotamus ⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: These lone grazers consume up to 40kg daily
Social structure: Sociable, groups
Life expectancy: ~54 years
Gestation: ~8 months
White Rhinoceros ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Second largest land mammal, rare and endangered
Social structure: Solitary, territorial
Life expectancy: ~45 years
Gestation: ~16 months
African Savannah Elephant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: They intimidate intruders by flapping ears and lifting trunk; serious charges are silent with ears pinned back and trunk lowered
Social structure: Matriarchal clan
Life expectancy: ~60 years
Gestation: ~ 22 months
Giraffe ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Long ago, people thought giraffes were a cross between a camel and leopard. Originally referred to as Camelopardalis
Social structure: Loose group, often solitary
Life expectancy: ~28 years
Gestation: ~15 months
African Buffalo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Their horns are hollow and covered in a sheath of keratin
Social structure: Large mixed herds
Life expectancy: ~25 years
Gestation: ~11 months
Plains Zebra ⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Zebras usually rest in pairs with their heads placed on the other's back, facing in opposite directions
Social structure: gregarious, small family groups
Life expectancy: ~35 years
Gestation: ~13 months
Antelopes
Blue Wildebeest / Greater Kudu / Impala / Nyala / Waterbuck / Sable Antelope
⭐ Wildebeest: They typically are found with Zebras because their blunt incisors are too small to graze in higher grasses
⭐⭐ Kudu: high jumpers clearing a height of +2.5m
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sable Antelope: Regarded as the most handsome antelope with the longest horns of all species, except the kudu
Other Mammals
Common Warthog ⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Warthogs use their snouts / tushes
Social structure: Clans
Life expectancy: ~20 years
Gestation: ~6 months
Chacma Baboon / Vervet Monkey ⭐⭐
Fun Fact: Loud barking is typically the male baboon warning troop of danger. Grooming is a way of building bonds within the troop
Social structure: Troop with clear order of dominance
Life expectancy: ~30 years
Gestation: ~6 months
Reptiles
Nile Crocodile ⭐⭐⭐
Fun Fact: The sex of the hatchlings depends on the incubation temperature; females - lower temperature, males - higher temperature
Social structure: communal
Life expectancy: ~45 years
Gestation: 16 - 80 eggs, 85 day hatching period
Birds
(Egrets, Hamerkop, Spoonbills, Hawks, Coucals, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Hornbills, Swallows, Strikes)
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