East Africa Mammals

The African Savanna provides rare opportunity for the photographer. However, as the opportunity presents itself, the best option is to take a clear shot, and thereafter sit back to enjoy the results of your hard work.

East Africa Mammals

Explore Wild East Africa Photo by Robin G. -- National Geographic Your Shot The African Savanna provides rare opportunity for the lone photographer. However, as the opportunity presents itself, the best option is to take a clear shot, and thereafter sit back to enjoy the results of your hard work.

Coke's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus bucelaphus)

Popularly known as Kongoni, the Coke's Hartebeest is easily mistaken for the Topi. As a member of the antelope family, its body is built for survival in the African savanna. Having an elongated face and distinctively shaped horns, the Kongoni is thereby distinguished from its antelope relatives.

Its furry coat is also lighter in comparison to other members of the antelope family, and further lacks the common dark pigmentation. The coke's hartebeest is a grazer and dwells in small groups. Females form small units-harems, which is also the case with young males. Older males are often remain in solitude, with occasional meet-ups with the rest of the members.

(Image Credits: Wikipedia)

Coke's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus bucelaphus)

Popularly known as Kongoni, the Coke's Hartebeest is easily mistaken for the Topi. As a member of the antelope family, its body is built for survival in the African savanna. Having an elongated face and distinctively shaped horns, the Kongoni is thereby distinguished from its antelope relatives.

Its furry coat is also lighter in comparison to other members of the antelope family, and further lacks the common dark pigmentation. The coke's hartebeest is a grazer and dwells in small groups. Females form small units-harems, which is also the case with young males. Older males are often remain in solitude, with occasional meet-ups with the rest of the members.

(Image Credits: Wikipedia)

Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

Ranks among the most dangerous game, especially when nursing an injury. It is a gregarious animal, mostly dwelling in fairly large herds. Young and strong males are usually in charge of the herds, protecting the group against predators.

Older Bulls are mostly solitary and often become prey to lions and other predators. Buffaloes are known to attack at the slightest irritation in the case of feeling threatened. In extreme situations, a lone buffalo can set a 'trap' for unsuspecting individuals.

Attack from a buffalo results in fatal injuries and most often, death. When undisturbed though, it grazes in peace without cause for alarm.
The Buffalo is among the mammals of East Africa, adding to the rich diversity of animal life.

Is the black rhino really 'black', and the white rhino 'white'?

The Black Rhino possesses a prehensile upper lip, useful for its feeding habits. On the other hand, the White Rhino possesses a rather 'flattened' lip, suitable for grazing. The coat color of each species usually matches that of the surrounding soil. It is thus easy to mistake the same for the rhino's natural coat color.

The Black Rhino is a native of East and central Africa. It can be easily spotted in any of the parks and reserves within Kenya. In the course of a Kenya Adventure Tour you will have the opportunity to visit destinations such as Lake Nakuru National Park, which is a well recognized Rhino Sanctuary and the Laikipia Ranches. The protection of the rhino species at the Lake Nakuru National Park has been heightened as a counter-measure against poaching.

Poaching remains a major threat for the survival of the Rhino species. The Government of Kenya, with support from different non-governmental and international organization, has stepped-up the fight against wildlife trophies trade.
On Tuesday 3 March 2015, the President of Kenya set ablaze approximately 15 tonnes of ivory, as a sign of commitment to the worldwide protest and action against the annihilation of the rhinoceros species through poaching.
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Colobus monkey - Colobus guereza (East African)

The colobus monkey is perhaps the most shy member of the monkey family. It resides in forested areas, atop towering trees to avoid humans and predators. Its beautiful black and white furry coat easily distinguishes it from other members of the monkey family.

In Kenya, Mount Kenya National Park provides a habitat for this species. The high canopy sufficiently camouflages the colous troops on evening movements towards their resting points. Colobus monkeys add color and calm to the otherwise cruel fight for survival in the wild.

NB* hunted by humans for its otherwise beautiful coat.
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Fight Against Poaching:

The fight against poaching has been intensified. The most endangered species as a result of poaching are rhinos and elephants. In Kenya for example, authorities have intercepted Ivory while on transit at the port of Mombasa.

Despite the fact that much more needs to be done, the efforts being put up in the fight against poaching activities by the concerned authorities, as well as non-governmental organisations are commendable.

'Spotless Cheetah'

The cheetah is well known for its speed; the fastest land animal on earth. Apart from speed perhaps the other feature that most easily distinguishes a cheetah from the other members of the cat family is its furry coat.

Its coat is usually entirely covered by distinctive spots. However there has been a recent recorded sighting of spotless cheetah.

The spotless cheetah is reported as having no spots on its coat but has all the other features that characterize a cheetah.

Sightings of such cheetahs were made a number of decades ago, after which no more reports were made about sightings.

Experts suggest that the spotless cheetah could be the result of a genetic mutation. Its spotless coat could also be an adaptation to its wild environment;giving it better chances of survival.

More research will give insight with regards to the spotless cheetah. Meanwhile, share your thoughts....

Warthog

Every time one hears the name warthog mentioned, the impression of an ugly member of the wild crops up. To some degree the impression is true, considering that a warthog's appearance hardly maintains one's attention less receiving admiration.

The warthog is a type of wild-pig, which can easily be recognized due to large protruding warts that are found below the eyes.
A warthog has a pair of tasks which protrude from its mouth and that are actually modified teeth. These are used to dig out legumes and when burrowing.

Its body is covered by bare skin with scanty fur, which is more pronounced behind the neck and shoulders.

Warthogs are mostly found living in family units which consist of a boar, sow and their young ones, hence are not gregarious.

The warthog is usually a quiet animal when undisturbed, but may turn aggressive when threatened.

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Wildebeest

The annual great migration is approaching. The migration involves large herds of different animals, among them, wildebeests.

The wildebeest is a type of antelope that is unique to its own kind, with regards to bodily features. Its head and shoulder regions are much larger, as compared to its rear parts.

Two species of wildebeests have been recorded within the central and southern Africa region; the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest.

The two species are easily and usually differentiated by the shape of their horns.

Generally, the blue wildebeest is large in body size, as compared to the black wildebeest. The blue wildebeest is also much given to movement as compared to the black wildebeests which have been observed to rather stick to specific areas.

More lately there has been a recorded interbreeding between the two species of wildebeests to produce a fertile offspring, with even more unique features.

To learn more about wildebeests and make bookings for a wildebeest migration safari, contact us at; http://www.flamingosafaris.com/contact_us.htm

Lions

Lions are considered to be the most gregarious members of the cat family. They are found dwelling in family units which consist of a male, several females along with their cubs.

Lions are territorial, where the males protect their territory from intrusion by other males.

It has also been noted that male lions tend to kill cubs which they themselves have not sired, all as a way of bringing the concerned female to estrus.

Females raise cubs 'communally'-within the pride, and once young males are strong, they tend to overpower and replace the old and weak males.

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East Africa Mammals's cover photo

Waterbuck

A large and heavy antelope, that weighs close to 400lbs. Two distinct species of the antelope have been recorded in Africa; The Ringed waterbuck (has a white, ring-like strip on its rump) and the Kenya Deffasa Waterbuck.

The two species are widely spread across different parks in Africa. It is however, in Kenya's Nairobi National Park alone, where the two species can be found inhabiting the same park- The Nairobi National Park.

more facts and info; http://www.flamingosafaris.com/Waterbuck.htm

Impala

The impala is the most common type of antelope in East Africa. Posses a gracefully built body which is Rufus- fawn in colour. Paler on the under parts. Areas

surrounding the mouth and those around the cheeks are white in colour. Has a white strip at the front part of the eye. Posses tuft hair on its hind feet, just above the heels.
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Baboons

Baboons are members of the East African Family of wild animals. There are two species of baboons that can be found within the parks in East Africa; these are; the Olive baboon and the Yellow baboon.

Various features can be used to distinguish a member of one species from that of the other.

Olive baboon

The olive baboon has a heavy fur covering coat over its body, and that is brown-grey in colour. It has a protruding muzzle that resembles that of a dog. It has a well developed mane covering its cheeks and neck.

Yellow baboon

The yellow baboon is higher to the ground compared to the Olive baboon, and has a less amount of fur covering on its body. It has an Olive-brown coloration on its body and has a shorter muzzle compared to that of the Olive baboon.


In general, baboons are gregarious animals and can mostly be found in groups of ten to fifty members (10-50). They spend a considerable amount of their time on the ground looking for food but make use of trees as lookout points for predators.

A pack is usually led by a strong and aggressive male, which protects the other members of the pack. Baboons are highly intelligent as compared to most animals. They have good eye-sight in addition to possessing colour vision and can thus be able to distinguish moving objects from stationary ones, unlike most animals. They also have a good hearing ability and that makes up for their rather poor sense of smell.
Baboons have sharp teeth for defence. Their chief predators are Leopards, which creep upon a pack and then pounces on a single member. However, when the pack turns out to be too aggressive, the Leopard will retreat and return later, to collect its kill.
Baboons can be found within most parks and reserves in East Africa.

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Warthog

The Warthog is a type of wild-pig, found in most parks and reserves in Kenya and Tanzania. Warthogs can easily be distinguished from the other members of the pig family due to the easily noticeable ‘warts' protruding below their eyes hence the name- Warthog.

They have large protruding tasks from their upper jaw, which are actually modified upper teeth. The tasks come in handy during self defense or when burrowing. Warthogs normally graze quietly, but can at times turn aggressive when injured of disturbed.

Warthogs can be found dwelling in family units that consist of a boar, a sow and their young ones.

Even thou warthogs are usually perceived to be unattractive, they are part of the larger family of East Africa Mammals.

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Leopard

The Leopard belongs to the wild cat family. It is a nocturnal animal; thus hunting mostly by night. Compared to the cheetah, it has a fairly larger body build and it’s also lower to the ground. It has a dark spotted, furry coat covering over its body. The dark spots covering its body are referred to as ‘rosettes’.

The spots are also more on the fore part of the leopards’ body compared to its rare. Leopards mainly feed on small animals, but will prey on any animal which it can easily overpower when quite hungry.

Leopards are solitary animals, and thus can rarely be found in pairs or more. In the case of a number of individuals dwelling together, its usually a mother and her cubs. They inhabit home ranges and rarely stick to a particular area over long periods of time. They move around the home ranges and thus making their prey unable to predict their movements. On return to a particular area within its home range, it easily ambushes the unsuspecting prey.

A Leopard has sharp concealable claws, rather much like those of a cat, n which it retrieves when in need to use them. Little is known of the Leopards habits, considering that it’s nocturnal and tends to shy away in the presence of humans. However the Leopard is also considered to be a quite dangerous when agitated.

Leopard’s cubs are usually hidden in rock crevices or in other carefully chosen spots to protect them from other predators.

Buffalo

Buffalos are among the big five animals found in East Africa. They are gregarious animals and associate in groups of ten or more members. A group may consist of young and strong bulls, along with a number of cows and their calves. Older males are less social and can be seen alone or in pairs.

The male buffalos can easily be mistaken for the cows and vie-versa, the distinction being that the horns of a male buffalo form a convergent mass at the forehead, whereas that’s not the case with the females.

The calving period for buffalos in East Africa is between December and March.

Buffaloes are grazers and feed quietly when undisturbed, often being mistaken to be shy animals. However, they become aggressive when for example; injured or provoked. Injured buffalos, have in the recent past, been marked as being among the most dangerous game to encounter, adding to the fact that they are quite intelligent and cunning animals.

The buffalo thus does rightly deserve to be ranked among the big five animals of Africa.

The cheetah can easily be mistaken for a leopard. Considered to be the fastest land animal on earth, the cheetah has a number of distinguishable features from the leopard; among them being dark line markings, that run from the from part of the eye down to its muzzle. To get more facts on the cheetah, and other East Africa Mammals visit;
www.flamingosafaris.com/Cheetah.htm