Animal Book – Safari Navigator

All images and facts are contributed by users. Want to contribute or have spotted an error? Email us at [email protected]. Image rights belong to the original contributors. Search by: Animal (e.g., Giraffe, Eagle), Category (e.g., Big, Special), or Conservation Status (e.g., Endangered, Vulnerable)

Search: Rhino, Big, Ugly, Endangered...

Hornbill

SWAHILI NAME: Hondo Hondo
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Toucan
DISTINGUISHED BY: Large, curved bill
1. Over 60 species of hornbill exist worldwide.
2. In most species, after mating, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity while nesting to reduce predation, while the male brings her food.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

Hyena, Spotted

SWAHILI NAME: Fisi Madoa
CATEGORY: Ugly 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Striped Hyena, Aardwolf
DISTINGUISHED BY: Spotted coat and bear-like face
1. Live in matriarchal clans, with status often inherited by offspring
2. Cubs are born aggressive and may attack/kill their siblings before reaching one month of age
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

Hyrax

SWAHILI NAME: Pimbi/Perere
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: N/A
DISTINGUISHED BY: Stocky body, short tail, and tusk-like upper teeth
1. Rock hyraxes are more social, living in colonies of up to 50, while tree hyraxes are nocturnal and more solitary.
2. Hyraxes use the same “toilet” spots, leaving white urine deposits on rocks.
PHOTO CREDIT: Luvai Gohar

Ibis

SWAHILI NAME: Kwarara
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Heron, Egret
DISTINGUISHED BY: Long, curved beak
1. The African sacred ibis was revered by Ancient Egyptians, associated with the god Thoth.
2. Highly social, they nest in large colonies and often feed in groups of up to 20 individuals.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

Impala

SWAHILI NAME: Swala pala
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle
DISTINGUISHED BY: Slender legs, sleek reddish-brown coats, white inner ears
1. Can leap up to 33 feet (10 meters) in a single bound
2. Impalas synchronize their reproductive cycles, with all females giving birth around the same time
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

Jackal, Black-backed

SWAHILI NAME: Bweha Mgongo Mweusi
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: N/A in Africa (Fox)
DISTINGUISHED BY: Bushy tail and pointed ears
1. The smaller black-backed jackal prefers open plains, while the larger side-striped jackal dwells in woodlands and scrub areas.
2. Often heard howling at night.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

Kudu

SWAHILI NAME: Tandala
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Eland
DISTINGUISHED BY: Long, spiral horns (in males)
1. Kudus can easily leap over 8-foot obstacles.
2. Greater kudus are larger with longer horns and fewer stripes, while lesser kudus are smaller with shorter horns and more stripes.
PHOTO CREDIT: Erasti Photography

Leopard

SWAHILI NAME: Chui
CATEGORY: Big 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Cheetah
DISTINGUISHED BY: Dark, irregular rosettes (spots) vs. cheetah’s solid, rounder spots
1. Leopards are the smallest of the big cats, but muscular. They can carry twice their body weight up into trees.
2. Leopards are found in over 60 countries but are notoriously hard to spot in the wild.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A

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