Heading off on safari in Kenya means going in search of the majestic Big Five – legendary lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and the formidable Cape buffalo. But, as I learned on my safari, you don’t want to stop there. It’s also possible to discover the surprising charm of the Ugly Five, admire the vibrant hues of the Feathered Five, seek the unique residents of the Samburu Special Five and marvel at the tiny wonders of the Small Five.
Here’s a brief overview of all of the fabulous Fives you can find on a safari in Kenya.
The Big Five: Legends with a Not-So-Glamorous Origin Story
You likely thought that this iconic squad – the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros – got their fearsome reputation from being awesome. Not true. It came from their interactions with big game hunters. Lions and leopards were felled for their valuable pelts, elephants for their tusks and rhinos for their horns. The Cape Buffalo were killed because they’re mean and the hunters didn’t want to chance an encounter with an angry buffalo.
Some Big Five fun facts:
Lions
Built for power and majesty, lions are fearsome but sleepy, spending as much as 20 hours a day napping. Their spine-tingling roar can be heard 8 km (5 miles) away. A group is called a pride. But you knew that, right?
African Elephant
The largest land animal on Earth, these gentle giants are super smart and incredibly social. They get their name from their ears, which are shaped like the continent of Africa. These matriarchal groups are called a memory. Or, when they walk single file across the savanna, a parade.
Cape Buffalo
Considered the meanest animal on the savanna. They travel in huge herds and take care of their own – until the males get old and cranky. Then they get kicked out of the group and are condemned to wander alone for the rest of their days.
Leopard
This spotted stunner is famously elusive. We saw two on our safari, which made my Nairobi friends very jealous. “We’ve never seen a leopard,” they moaned. Leopards are strong climbers and will drag their dinner (even large kills!) up into trees so there’s no worry they might have to fight off another hungry predator.
Rhinoceros
These huge animals are critically endangered thanks to poachers who kill them for their horns which are believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac. We saw Black Rhinos, Southern White Rhinos and the last two living Northern White Rhinos – and learned about a multi-country effort to save the species with in vitro fertilization. It’s hard to believe, but these giants are herbivores who eat grass and leaves. They have a strong sense of smell, but very poor eyesight.
The Ugly Five: Beauty is in the Eye of the Game Driver!
Not every animal can be a supermodel. These guys – the hyena, warthog, wildebeest, marabou stork, and vulture – might not win a beauty contest, but they are essential members of the African ecosystem.
Hyena
These carnivores, who live in clans led by a female, are known for their powerful jaws and famous “laugh.” They are thought of as scavengers, but they are also incredible hunters. (Skip this next part if you have a weak stomach.) They start eating while their prey is still alive. Ick.
Warthog
Say hello to Pumba! A fan favorite from Disney’s “The Lion King” movie, warthogs have tough, bristly hair, impressive tusks and funny “warts” on their faces. They’re known for kneeling on their front legs to graze, and when they dart off, their tails shoot straight up in the air like little antennae.
Wildebeest
The stars of the Great Migration when more than a million wildebeests migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Mara in Kenya and back, these animals look like they were designed by a committee. They have the head and humped back of a buffalo, the stripes of a zebra, the tail of a horse. A favorite meal for lions, hyenas and crocodiles, wildebeest survive through synchronized birthing. They drop hundreds of thousands of calves around the same time each year to overwhelm predators and help more babies survive.
Marabou Stork
With its bald, pink head, massive bill, and dangling throat pouch, this huge bird is no prize. But they are Africa’s ultimate scavenger, gobbling up carrion and trash.
Vulture
Another vital member of Africa’s clean-up crew, vultures are instantly recognizable by their bald heads and hooked beaks. While their dining habits might seem a bit gross, these birds help prevent disease by making quick work of carcasses. Sadly, many vulture species are in serious trouble, mainly due to poisoning.
The Feathered Five: Kenya’s Avian Superstars
Kenya is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting more than 1,000 species of birds. The members of the Feathered Five steal the show.
Lilac-Breasted Roller
The national bird of Kenya, the roller is breathtakingly beautiful. Its iridescent plumage is a kaleidoscope of blues, greens, lilacs, and pinks.
Hamerkop
Meaning “hammerhead” in Afrikaans, this medium-sized water bird is instantly recognizable by its distinct hammer-like head shape and crest. You’ll often find them hanging out near water.
African Wattled Lapwing
This striking ground bird sports prominent red and yellow wattles dangling from its face, giving it a truly distinctive and colorful look. You’ll often find them in open grasslands where they lay their eggs in scapes in the ground and vigorously protect the eggs from predators.
Southern Ground Hornbill
This magnificent and imposing bird is one of Africa’s biggest. With its sleek black feathers, vibrant red face, and helmet-like growth on its beak (a casque), it’s impossible to miss in the savanna. These highly social birds live in groups; only the lead pair breeds, while the rest of the crew helps raise the young.
Common Ostrich
The largest and heaviest living bird, the Common Ostrich is instantly recognizable by its long neck, powerful legs, and its speed across the ground – an important skill since it’s too big to fly.
The Samburu Special Five: Northern Kenya’s Exclusive Club!
The unique, dry landscapes of Northern Kenya at the Samburu National Reserve is the place to see the Special Five – the Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk, and Somali Ostrich.
Beisa Oryx
This handsome antelope of the dry grasslands sports long, straight, spear-like horns and cool black markings on its face and legs. They get all of the water they need from the plants they eat.
Reticulated Giraffe
One of three types of giraffe found in Kenya, the Reticulated Giraffe sports a gorgeous coat of blocky reddish-brown spots separated by sharp white lines. Just like fingerprints, every Reticulated Giraffe has a one-of-a-kind spot pattern.
Grevy’s Zebra
The biggest and most endangered of all zebra species, Grevy’s Zebras look more elegant than their cousins, the Common Zebra, thanks to their thinner, more numerous stripes and pure white belly. But their most distinguishing attribute is their large, rounded, fuzzy Mickey Mouse ears.
Gerenuk
Meaning “giraffe-necked” in Somali, this super elegant antelope is known for its incredibly long, slender neck and delicate build. To eat, they stand on their back legs and use their front legs to pull down branches, letting them reach higher deliciousness than other antelopes.
Somali Ostrich
Once thought to be just a type of Common Ostrich, the Somali Ostrich was officially recognized as its own species in 2014. Male Somali Ostriches sport a striking blue-grey neck and thighs, especially when they’re looking for love, setting them apart from their pinker-necked cousins.
The Small Five: Proof That Great Things Come in Tiny Packages!
While the Big Five might grab all the glory, if you’ve got a sharp eye and a curious mind, you’ll discover the Small Five, named after their larger, more famous counterparts. We did not spot any of these tiny guys during our safari, but I added some generic photos so you’ll know what they look like.
Antlion
This fascinating insect digs clever cone-shaped pits in sandy soil, then hides at the bottom, waiting for unsuspecting ants to tumble in. When they do, the antlion uses its powerful jaws to grab its meal, just like a lion ambushing its prey.
Buffalo Weaver
Specifically, the Red-billed Buffalo Weaver is a social bird that thrives in East Africa’s dry savannas. While not as imposing as a buffalo, it’s a lively and noisy part of the avian community. They are communal birds who build massive nests in acacia trees that can house multiple families.
Elephant Shrew
Also known as a Sengi, this little mammal is famous for its long, flexible snout that looks like a mini elephant trunk. Despite the “shrew” in their name, they’re actually more closely related to elephants, aardvarks, and manatees than to shrews.
Leopard Tortoise
Named for its stunning shell pattern that mimics a leopard’s spots, this is one of Africa’s largest and most beautiful tortoise species. They can live for 50 years or more in the wild.
Rhinoceros Beetle
This impressive insect is famous for the male’s awesome, horn-like projections that resemble a rhino’s horn. Among the strongest creatures on Earth for their size, a rhinoceros beetle is capable of lifting an incredible 850 times their own weight.
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