This lesson is designed to help English learners pick up new vocabulary about African safari animals. Major topics include clear definitions, fascinating safari animal facts, an A–Z vocabulary list, and vivid pictures of these magnificent creatures.
By exploring this lesson, you will learn the names and characteristics of animals that live in the savanna, grasslands, and open woodlands of Africa—not in a “safari.” Get ready to expand your vocabulary while enjoying accurate and fascinating information about these incredible animals.
You can also download this chart of safari animals as a PDF.
Contents
Essential Safari Animals Vocabulary
If you’d like to expand your vocabulary even further, explore our complete Animal Names list to discover hundreds of animal words organized by category and habitat.
List of Safari Animals (A–Z)
| Vocabulary | IPA (US) | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aardvark | /ˈɑːrd.vɑːrk/ | Nocturnal insect-eating mammal with a long snout. |
| Agama Lizard | /əˈɡɑː.mə ˈlɪz.ɚd/ | Colorful reptile commonly seen on rocks in Africa. |
| Baboon | /bəˈbuːn/ | Large monkey living in troops on the savanna. |
| Black Rhino | /blæk ˈraɪ.noʊ/ | Critically endangered rhino with a pointed lip. |
| Buffalo (African Buffalo) | /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/ | Large and powerful herd animal of the plains. |
| Cheetah | /ˈtʃiː.tə/ | The fastest land animal on Earth. |
| Chimpanzee | /ˌtʃɪm.pænˈziː/ | Highly intelligent primate found in African forests. |
| Common Eland | /ˈiː.lænd/ | Large antelope with spiral horns. |
| Elephant (African Elephant) | /ˈel.ə.fənt/ | The largest living land animal. |
| Gazelle | /ɡəˈzel/ | Fast and graceful antelope species. |
| Giraffe | /dʒəˈræf/ | The tallest mammal on Earth. |
| Grey-Crowned Crane | /ɡreɪ kraʊnd kreɪn/ | Elegant bird with a golden feather crown. |
| Hartebeest | /ˈhɑːrt.biːst/ | Large antelope with a long face. |
| Hippopotamus | /ˌhɪp.əˈpɑː.t̬ə.məs/ | Massive semi-aquatic herbivore. |
| Hornbill | /ˈhɔːrn.bɪl/ | Bird with a large curved beak. |
| Hyena | /haɪˈiː.nə/ | Scavenger and skilled hunter with strong jaws. |
| Impala | /ɪmˈpɑː.lə/ | Agile antelope known for high leaps. |
| Jackal | /ˈdʒæk.əl/ | Wild canine related to wolves and dogs. |
| Kob | /kɑːb/ | Medium-sized African antelope. |
| Kori Bustard | /ˈkɔːr.i ˈbʌs.tɚd/ | One of the heaviest flying birds. |
| Leopard | /ˈlep.ɚd/ | Stealthy spotted big cat. |
| Lion | /ˈlaɪ.ən/ | Large social big cat living in prides. |
| Meerkat | /ˈmɪr.kæt/ | Small burrowing mammal living in groups. |
| Mongoose | /ˈmɑːŋ.ɡuːs/ | Small carnivore known for fighting snakes. |
| Mountain Gorilla | /ˈɡəˈrɪl.ə/ | Large primate living in African mountains. |
| Nile Crocodile | /naɪl ˈkrɑː.kə.daɪl/ | Large river predator. |
| Oryx | /ˈɔːr.ɪks/ | Desert antelope with long straight horns. |
| Ostrich | /ˈɑː.strɪtʃ/ | The largest flightless bird. |
| Oxpecker | /ˈɑːksˌpek.ɚ/ | Bird that feeds on parasites from mammals. |
| Pangolin | /ˈpæŋ.ɡə.lɪn/ | Scaled mammal that eats ants and termites. |
| Secretary Bird | /ˈsek.rə.ter.i bɝːd/ | Tall bird of prey that hunts snakes. |
| Stork | /stɔːrk/ | Large wading bird with long legs. |
| Vulture | /ˈvʌl.tʃɚ/ | Scavenger bird feeding on carcasses. |
| Warthog | /ˈwɔːrt.hɑːɡ/ | Wild pig with facial tusks. |
| Waterbuck | /ˈwɔː.t̬ɚ.bʌk/ | Large antelope living near water. |
| White Rhino | /waɪt ˈraɪ.noʊ/ | Second-largest land animal after elephants. |
| Wild Dog (African Wild Dog) | /waɪld dɔːɡ/ | Endangered pack-hunting predator. |
| Wildebeest | /ˈwɪl.di.biːst/ | Migratory antelope also called gnu. |
| Zebra | /ˈziː.brə/ | Striped herbivore of the African plains. |
A PDF download of this safari animals chart is available too.
What Is a Safari?
A safari is not a habitat. The word comes from Swahili and means “journey.” In English, it refers to an overland expedition to observe or photograph wild animals.
The correct habitats of safari animals are the savanna, grasslands, and open woodlands of Africa.
Top Safari Animals: Facts, Pictures & Descriptions
The Big Five & Iconic Predators
Lions – The Apex Predators of the Savanna
Lions are often called the “kings of the jungle,” but biologically, they live in savannas and grasslands, not jungles. They are apex predators and the most social big cats, living in groups called prides.
Cheetahs – The Fastest Land Animals
The cheetah is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds up to 75 mph. Their slim bodies and long legs help them chase prey across open plains.
Leopards – The Stealthy Hunters
Leopards are powerful and solitary predators known for dragging prey into trees. Their spotted coats provide excellent camouflage.
Majestic Herbivores of the African Plains
African Elephants – The Largest Land Mammals
The African elephant is the largest living land animal. It plays a key role in shaping ecosystems by knocking down trees and spreading seeds.
White vs. Black Rhinoceros – How to Tell the Difference
Both species are grey in color. The white rhino has a wide, square lip for grazing grass. The black rhino has a pointed lip for browsing shrubs. The white rhino is the second-largest land animal after elephants.
White Rhino
Black Rhino
Giraffes – The Tallest Mammals on Earth
Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth. Despite their long necks, they still cannot reach the ground without spreading their front legs. They are herbivores and feed mainly on tree leaves.
Zebras – Nature’s Unique Stripes
Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern, similar to human fingerprints. They often migrate alongside wildebeests across the African plains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a Savanna and a Jungle?
A savanna is a grassland ecosystem with scattered trees and seasonal rainfall. A jungle is a dense tropical forest with thick vegetation and high humidity.
Which safari animal is the most dangerous?
While lions are powerful predators, the hippopotamus is often considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to its aggressive behavior and strong territorial instincts.
Why are they called “The Big Five”?
The term Big Five originally referred to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Today, it is used in wildlife tourism.