10 Wildlife Behaviors You’ll Only See on an African Safari
An African safari is a chance to witness the wildest, most untamed parts of the world. The African continent is home to an astonishing array of wildlife that exhibits unique behaviors and interactions, many of which are rarely observed elsewhere.
From the majestic lions of the savannah to the elusive leopards hiding in the trees, Africa’s animals display behaviors that are indeed one of a kind. Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or a first-time visitor, witnessing these behaviors is one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Here are 10 extraordinary wildlife behaviors that you can only see on an African safari.
1. The Lion’s Midnight Roar
Lions are known for their iconic roars, but the behavior behind this sound is even more impressive. Lions typically roar at night as a means of communicating with other members of their pride and marking their territory. The sound can travel for miles, carrying across vast expanses of the African plains.
What’s unique about this behavior is the way lions coordinate their roars. Males often initiate the roar to assert dominance, while females may join in to reaffirm pride and unity. This synchronized display serves as both a vocal warning to intruders and a signal to other lions about the pride’s location.
If you’re fortunate enough to witness it, hearing the deep, reverberating roar echo through the night air is a spine-tingling experience you won’t forget.
2. Elephant “Caring” for the Dead
Elephants are known for their deep emotional intelligence, and one of the most profound expressions of this is their behavior around deceased elephants. When a member of the herd dies, elephants often exhibit mourning rituals. They approach the body, touching the bones with their trunks and feet and sometimes even standing quietly beside the carcass for extended periods.
This grief is not limited to just family members; elephants have been observed mourning the loss of strangers, too. Their behavior during these moments highlights their complex emotional capacity, as they seem to understand the loss and respond with tenderness and respect.
3. Cheetahs’ High-Speed Chase
Cheetahs are renowned for being the fastest land animals, but what many don’t realize is the specific behaviors involved in a high-speed chase. Unlike other big cats that stalk and ambush their prey, cheetahs rely on sheer speed to capture their target. The hunt begins with a burst of acceleration, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in just seconds.
What’s fascinating is how cheetahs adapt their bodies for this extreme sprint. Their spines flex dramatically, and their claws do not retract, allowing for maximum grip on the ground. After such a rapid chase, cheetahs often need to rest for a few minutes to recover before they can begin the feeding process.
This incredible hunting technique is a sight to behold, and only on an African safari can you witness it in action.
4. Hyena Clan Dynamics
Hyenas are often misunderstood and unfairly maligned as scavengers, but in reality, they are complex, social animals. Hyenas live in matriarchal societies, with females holding the highest rank in the clan. The dominant female controls access to food and decides where the clan will live.
5. Giraffes’ Necking Duels
Giraffes are not only famous for their long necks but also for an unusual behavior called “necking,” a form of combat between males to establish dominance. During a necking duel, two males swing their necks at each other in an attempt to land a decisive blow with their heads. These battles can be surprisingly intense, with males sometimes clashing for several minutes.
6. The Zebra’s Stripes as Camouflage
Zebras’ striking black-and-white stripes are more than just a beautiful pattern; they play a significant role in protecting them from predators. One of the most fascinating behaviors associated with zebras is how their stripes create optical illusions. In a herd, the motion of several zebras together can confuse predators, making it difficult for them to focus on a single target.
7. The Wildebeest Migration and Group Dynamics
The wildebeest migration is one of the most famous natural events in Africa, with over a million wildebeests making an epic journey across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. What’s especially captivating is the synchronized movement and group dynamics during the migration. As they move in large herds, wildebeests work together to protect the young and navigate through obstacles such as river crossings and predators.
This migration is an awe-inspiring example of animal cooperation, and the behavior of wildebeests during this time offers a unique view of survival and instinct in the wild.
8. Impala’s “Alarm” Jumping
Impalas are known for their graceful, high leaps when they feel threatened. However, what’s truly remarkable about their behavior is how this “alarm” jumping works. When one Impala spots a predator, it will often leap into the air, showing off its agility and creating a visible signal for the rest of the herd to flee. These jumps serve both to alert others and confuse predators, making it harder for them to single out an individual.
9. The Chimpanzee’s Tool Use and Problem-Solving
While not as commonly associated with the African safari as other animals, chimpanzees are an extraordinary species whose behavior showcases remarkable intelligence. Chimpanzees use tools to gather food, such as using sticks to fish for termites or cracking open nuts with rocks. They have also been observed making spears to hunt smaller animals.
Seeing chimpanzees use tools in the wild is a powerful reminder of their intelligence and adaptability, and it’s one of the most remarkable behaviors you’ll encounter on a safari.
10. The Migration of the Monarch Butterfly (Though Rare, It Can Be Seen)
While not an animal you may expect to find in Africa, the migration of the Monarch Butterfly is one of nature’s most remarkable feats, and a select few safaris offer the chance to witness this migration at certain times of the year. Monarchs travel from the northern parts of Africa to warmer regions, demonstrating incredible navigational abilities over long distances.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the remarkable behaviors you’ll encounter during an African safari. The animals of Africa are full of surprises, with unique ways of communicating, hunting, and surviving, which is a true testament to the wonders of nature.
If you have any queries or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below, and don’t forget to follow me on social media.
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
