Wildlife Guide

Lion pride, Tanzania national park safari

Africa’s Big Five and where to see them on your Safari Holiday

A Big Five safari in Africa offers the chance to encounter some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife. In this guide, our safari experts introduce each of the Big Five and offer guidance on some of the best places to see them on safari.

By Andrew | 06 February 2026

The Elusive Kenya Black Leopard

Senior Safari Specialist Jo recently returned from an action-packed research trip to Kenya. During her explorations of Kenya’s scenic Laikipia region, she had the chance to glimpse the elusive black leopard.

By Jo Erasmus | 03 February 2026

Mountain hiking to spot gorillas in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Africa offers a variety of dramatic safari experiences to visitors. One of the most unique and captivating of them is trekking through pristine rainforests to see rare mountain gorillas.

By Matt C | 15 May 2025

The Gorilla Habituation Experience

With the gorilla habituation project in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park still at a mock stage, visitors can join researchers on this rare opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s mountain gorillas for up to four hours.

By Matt C | 06 May 2025

Beyond the Big Five: The Diverse Wildlife of Tanzania

Rich in national parks and game reserves, and including the brilliant beach destination of Zanzibar, Tanzania has so much to offer the nature lover, and when it comes to wildlife, the country is a real treasure trove!

09 December 2024

Lions, Governors, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Best Itineraries for Big Cats Sightings and Safari Experience

Explore our safari itineraries, created to bring you closer to the majestic big cats featured in the documentary Big Cats 24/7. Whether you're searching for rare species or following in the crew's footsteps, our team of experts has crafted trips that offer exceptional value and the best chances for wildlife sightings.

28 August 2024

Best Five Places to See the African Wild Dog on Safari

The majority of people on their first or second safari will most likely centre their attention on ticking off the Big Five; however, we feel that sometimes nothing beats watching the Africa wild dog in action. Here's our top 5 places to see them:

By James | 22 April 2024

10 Interesting Facts About the Great Migration

The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular wonders of the natural world!

15 April 2024

leopard south africa wildlife yellow zebra safaris

The Wildlife of South Africa

Boasting some of the best wildlife in all of Africa, South Africa is a favourite destination for first-time safaris. Here, we outline the mammals and birds you can expect to see on a South Africa safari:

03 April 2024

The Marine Big Five

Once you’ve spent a few days scouring the bush for them in a safari vehicle, how about an alternative safari experience, searching for Africa’s Marine Big Five? This is: whales, dolphins, seals, sharks and penguins!

27 March 2024

best places to rhino africa yellow zebra safaris

Best Places to see Rhinos in Africa

Below, we’ve selected our top places in Africa to see rhinos, from walking safaris in remote Zimbabwe to conservation excursions with the ‘Save the Rhino’ trackers in Namibia.

25 March 2024

best places to see lion africa yellow zebra safaris

The Best Places to See Lions in Africa

A member of the Big Five, for good reason is the lion considered King of Beasts! Here’s the YZ guide to the best places to see lions in the wild in Africa.

20 March 2024

Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Wildlife Found in Kidepo Valley National Park

A previous YZ expert Linda details the wildlife she encountered during her safari to Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park, from Big Five members to the land-dwelling patas monkey.

14 March 2024

Male gorilla, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Rwanda

Luxury Gorilla Safaris in Africa

Want to know the best places to see gorillas on your African safari? Our safari experts are here with a guide to help you plan the ultimate gorilla safari holiday!

27 February 2024

Top Places to See Elephants in Africa

Here, you’ll find the YZ top 12 places to see elephants as well as our recommended safari camp or lodge. We reckon there’s something to suit all types of travellers here!

26 February 2024

The Mysterious Five Wildlife

After your first safari and witnessing the famous Big Five, we recommend focusing on some of the more interesting and elusive wildlife, such as the aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine, caracal and pangolin:

By Julian | 07 February 2024

The Best Places to Spot Whale Sharks in Africa

Whale sharks can be seen all year round on the east coast of Africa, stretching from southern Mozambique all the way up to northern Kenya, and are often found just off shore from a number of little islands...

By James | 05 February 2024

The 5 Best Places to See Leopard in Africa

The most elusive of the Big Five members, leopards can be tricky to spot. Here’s our guide to the best places to observe leopards, to increase your chances of encountering all the Big Five during your Africa safari.

17 January 2024

best places to see buffalo africa yellow zebra safaris

The Best Places to See Buffalo in Africa

Seeing buffalo on an African safari is probably the easiest of the Big Five members to spot. However, just because they are prevalent and move in large, obvious herds, doesn’t make them any less fascinating. Here’s our favourite places to spot them:

16 January 2024

37 imvelo safari lodges bomani tented lodge dust bathing at stoffies pan

Some Like It Hot: How Animals Deal With the October Heat

With possibly one more month to go until the welcoming relief of the African rains, the question is, how do animals deal with the dry heat? Below, we highlight some of the sophisticated ways in which they cope:

12 October 2023

Big Five - A poem by Fliss Teague

The Big Five is five animals that make an ace safari show: their names are lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo!

By Julian | 17 May 2023

A small group of Lechwe antelope leaping through a shallow river system. Splashing water whilst leaping high above the river.

The Wildlife of Botswana

If you’re asking yourself, ‘What wildlife will I see in Botswana?’, then this is the guide for you. Here, we outline the mammals and birds that you can expect to see during a safari to this amazing destination.

27 June 2022

wild dog, relocation and rescue, botswana

The Story of Relocating Wild Dog Puppies in Botswana

A previous YZ expert, Malcolm had the most incredible experience when working as a bush pilot in Botswana. Here he retells the story of how he helped relocate nine wild dog pups.

02 February 2022

boswell elephants mana pools yellow zebra safaris 6

Meet Boswell, the elephant who stands on his hind legs

This blog was written by James H, an ex-safari specialist who was an invaluable member of our team for 4 years. Here, James writes about his trip to Mana Pools in which he witnessed the amazing moment when elephant Boswell stood up on his hind legs.

29 November 2019

blue flycatcher birding yellow zebra safaris

What to Expect From a Birding Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

YZ expert Sam went in search of the shoebill stork & endemic species during a birding safari in Uganda & Rwanda. Read here where to go and what you can see.

09 May 2019

battle of botswana emma yellow zebra safaris 3

The Battle of Botswana

Yellow Zebra expert Emma has just returned from an epic adventure to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where she witnessed her very own ‘Battle of the Beasts’.

By Emma | 02 February 2019

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