All images and facts are contributed by users. Want to contribute or have spotted an error? Email us at hello@safari-driver.com. 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)
SWAHILI NAME: Kobe
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
CATEGORY: Little 5
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: African Spurred Tortoise
DISTINGUISHED BY: Smaller, spotted shell resembling a leopard’s coat
1. Fourth largest tortoise species
2. Each tortoise's shell markings are unique, similar to human fingerprints
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Tumbusi
CATEGORY: Ugly 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: N/A
DISTINGUISHED BY: Bald heads and broad wings
1. Have tetrachromatic vision, seeing in four colors, including ultraviolet. Humans see only three.
2. Urinate on their legs and feet to stay cool and kill bacteria or parasites.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Tumbusi Mgongo-mweupe
CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Other vultures
DISTINGUISHED BY: White patch on back
1. Soars up to 10,000 feet, using keen eyesight to spot carrion, vital as scavengers.
2. Threatened by poisoning from poisoned carcasses and habitat loss due to human activity.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Ngiri/Mbango
CATEGORY: Ugly 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Desert warthog
DISTINGUISHED BY: Larger size, erect ear tips, more hair, smaller snout
1. Social animals, living in groups called sounders
2. Feed with front feet bent backward, moving on their “wrists”
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Ngiri/Mbango Somali
CATEGORY: Ugly 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Common warthog
DISTINGUISHED BY: Smaller size, ear tips bent backward, sparser hair, larger snout
1. Also known as Somali warthog
2. Can run as fast as 55 km/h (34 mph)
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Kuru
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Bushbuck, Reedbuck
DISTINGUISHED BY: Larger size and heavier, matted coat
1. Common waterbucks have a white ring around their rump, while defassa waterbucks have white patches on each side.
2. Secrete an oily substance from their sweat glands, which acts as a water repellent and may deter predators.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Nyumbu
CATEGORY: Ugly 5
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Black wildebeest
DISTINGUISHED BY: Slate-blue coat, stripes, and curved horns
1. Famous for their large migratory herds
2. Newborn wildebeests can join the herd and run within 5-15 minutes of birth
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Kangaja
CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered
CATEGORY: Special 5
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Plains zebra
DISTINGUISHED BY: Narrow stripes, larger ears, brown muzzle, and white belly
1. Largest and rarest zebra species
2. Do not form permanent herds like Plains zebras
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
SWAHILI NAME: Punda Milia
CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
POTENTIAL LOOKALIKES: Grevy zebra
DISTINGUISHED BY: Broad black and white stripes, black muzzle
1. Herd movement may often be held up for the sick, weak, or injured
2. Highly social, grazing in large groups with pairs standing side-by-side, head-to-tail keeping watch over one another
PHOTO CREDIT: Jotham A
