Fun African Wildlife Facts: Big 5, Little 5 & More Safari Surprises

May 4, 2025
ABS, Africa travel

Did You Know? Fun Wildlife Facts About Africa’s Big 5 & More

Africa is a continent teeming with life—from the fierce Big 5 safari animals to some of the smallest yet most fascinating creatures you’ll ever encounter. As someone who grew up in South Africa and worked as a safari guide in Kruger National Park, I’ve collected countless stories, facts, and surprising tidbits about African wildlife that still captivate visitors and locals alike.

In this post, we explore not just facts about the famous Big Five of Africa—the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo—but also the rich tapestry of African folktales and natural wonders behind these animals.

What Does “The Big Five” Really Mean?

Contrary to popular belief, the “Big Five” doesn’t refer to the largest animals in Africa. Instead, it’s a term coined by big-game hunters to describe the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Over time, safari tourism redefined it to celebrate the thrill of spotting these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

The Big 5 safari animals are the lion, leopard, African elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Here are some fascinating facts about each—and the tales told about them across generations.

Lion – The King of the African Bush

The lion is arguably the most celebrated of the Big 5. It’s a top predator, a symbol of strength, and a creature steeped in myth and legend.

Did You Know?

Lions are the most social cats, living in tight-knit family units called prides. Only the males roam alone, patrolling their territories.
A lion’s roar can travel over 8km. This powerful sound is enabled by a specialized ligament in the vocal cords that allows for deep, resonant bellows.
Thanks to a white stripe under their eyes and reflective layers in their retinas, lions see up to eight times better than humans at night.
They may sleep up to 20 hours a day, conserving energy for night-time hunting and territorial defense.

African Tale: In The Story of Lion and Jackal, the clever jackal tricks a proud lion into holding up rocks in a gorge to save his own skin. This age-old tale teaches children that brains often triumph over brawn.

Read more about lions in African Lion Safari Tips.

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Leopard – Africa’s Most Elusive Hunter

The leopard is sleek, mysterious, and incredibly adaptable. Spotting one in the wild is often considered a special reward on any safari.

Did You Know?

Leopards are the most widely distributed wild cats in the world, thanks to their adaptability near human settlements and varied environments.
Their powerful necks allow them to drag prey into trees, away from scavengers like hyenas and lions.
Leopards are skilled hunters and frequent scavengers. Cubs are born blind and stay with their mothers for up to two years.
Their tails are as long as their bodies, aiding in balance when climbing or turning sharply during hunts.

African Tale: In Rudyard Kipling’s How the Leopard Got His Spots, the Ethiopian uses his fingers to press black pigment into the leopard’s coat. Look closely—those rosettes still resemble five black fingerprints today.

Learn how to identify leopards in How to Spot Leopards on Safari in Africa.

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Elephant – The Gentle Giant with the Mighty Mind

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth and perhaps the most emotionally intelligent of the Big 5.

Did You Know?

Elephant herds are led by a female matriarch. Males (bulls) often roam between herds.
Their large ears are shaped like the African continent and help with thermoregulation by dispersing heat.
Elephants can be left- or right-tusked, similar to human handedness—look for the worn tusk!
They communicate via infrasonic sounds and ground vibrations, some of which travel several kilometers.
An adult can eat up to 300 kg of food and drink up to 200 liters of water per day.

African Tale: In How the Elephant Got Its Trunk, a curious baby elephant gets its nose pulled and stretched by a crocodile at the Limpopo River. This tale explains their long trunk and playful nature.

Explore the top places to encounter elephants in our guide: Best Parks to See African Elephants.

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Rhino – Africa’s Real-Life Unicorns

Rhinoceroses are among the most endangered members of the Big 5. With their prehistoric look, sensitive skin, and incredible power, they are both feared and revered across the continent.

Did You Know?

A group of rhinos is called a “crash“, and they often stick together in the wild.
Despite their names, black and white rhinos are both gray. The “white” name came from a misinterpretation of the Dutch word “wijd”, meaning wide-mouthed.
Rhinos can run up to 40km/h, making them much faster than they look.
Their horns are made of keratin—just like your fingernails—and continue growing if broken.
Like elephants, rhinos communicate using infrasound and enjoy rolling in mud to protect their sensitive skin.

African Tale: In How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, a greedy rhino eats a cake meant for someone else. To get revenge, the cake crumbs are hidden in his skin while he bathes. His itchy, folded skin and bad temper come from that tale—and explain his rugged appearance.

Learn more in Where to See Rhinos in Africa.

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Buffalo – Africa’s Most Underrated Heavyweight

The Cape buffalo is often underestimated, but it’s one of the most unpredictable and dangerous animals on foot in Africa. These powerful bovines combine strength with surprising aggression when provoked.

Did You Know?

Buffalos give no warning before charging. Their attacks are often sudden and fatal, especially to hunters.
They form large protective herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, which fend off predators using barricade-style formations.
Buffalo bulls, also known as “dagga boys“, love wallowing in muddy pools, giving their bodies a cement-like coating.
They swim well and often cross rivers in search of better grazing.
Buffalos host many birds, including oxpeckers and egrets, which feed on parasites living on their skin.

African Tale: In The Tale of Oxpecker and Buffalo, an oxpecker loses its home and angrily scolds buffalo while eating the ticks on his back. They coexist in a noisy, mutually beneficial relationship—but not a friendly one.

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The Little 5 of Africa – Small Creatures, Big Connections

Not to be outdone, the “Little 5” animals offer fun parallels to their larger namesakes. Each carries a Big 5 name but belongs to an entirely different species group. Here’s what they are:

Antlion – Resembling a dragonfly, this insect larva digs funnel-shaped traps in the sand to catch prey.
Leopard tortoise – Africa’s largest tortoise, known for its spotted shell and occasional bone-chewing habits for calcium intake.
Elephant shrew – A small insectivore with a trunk-like nose. Mothers carry food to their young in cheek pouches.
Rhinoceros beetle – One of the world’s strongest animals, capable of carrying over 850 times its own body weight.
Buffalo weaver – Sociable birds that build large communal nests with thorny twigs and follow buffalo herds to catch insects.

Want to know more? Check out Stand Back Big 5: Meet the Little 5.

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Other Fascinating Wildlife in Africa

Africa is home to creatures that defy logic, from the armor-plated pangolin to the speed-chasing ostrich. Here are a few highlights you may not know about:

Pangolin

Only animal completely covered in keratin scales.
Its tongue is longer than its body and can extend over 40 cm!
It curls into a ball when threatened and is one of Africa’s most trafficked species.

Ostrich

The fastest two-legged animal on Earth—up to 70 km/h.
Eyes are heavier than its brain, granting exceptional eyesight.
Its eggs equal 24 chicken eggs and take 1.5 hours to boil!

Black-backed Jackal

Known for distinctive dusk calls in the bushveld.
Monogamous and resourceful, often seen scavenging around lion kills.

Marabou Stork

Often called the ugliest bird in Africa—tall, bald, with a pink throat sac.
Practices urohydrosis (pooping on its legs) to cool down.
Feeds on carrion and often nests in trees or urban buildings.

African Wild Dog

Also known as painted dogs, they hunt in packs with 80% success rates.
Pups eat first at kills and are cared for by the entire pack.
Critically endangered, with fewer than 6,000 individuals left in the wild.

Want to help conserve Africa’s lesser-known species? Learn more at Endangered Wildlife in Africa.

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Final Thought: A Safari Full of Surprises

With all these fun and unexpected wildlife facts, your next African safari is sure to be more enriching than ever. From Big 5 legends to quirky Little 5 creatures, and from ancient African animal tales to modern conservation stories, Africa’s wilderness holds treasures for every traveler, child, or animal lover.

Need help planning your adventure? Contact our safari experts to tailor a wildlife-packed experience that fits your budget and interests.