Kenya

Nothing beats the exhilaration of spotting a lion basking in the sun like a careless kitten, or snarling ferociously as it leaps in for the kill. The king of the jungle is top of the list for most safari-goers. These beautiful animals can just as easily be found lounging in the open or hiding behind the tiniest of bushes. Their golden fur blends in well in the dry grass, making it challenging to see from afar. To give yourself the best chance of seeing a lion in Kenya, head to the Masai Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks.

Despite their gigantic size, elephants are very gentle creatures. Find them cooling down in a pool of water, engaging in a great water fight with their trunks as weapons. Their magnificent ivory tusks have made them a target for poachers but these gentle giants have learnt how to camouflage in long grass, so you may need to look harder than you would expect, to spot them. Don’t be deceived though, they sure can run fast and will stampede with almost no notice if you happen to get too close to their young ones. Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks are some of the best places in Kenya to see African Elephants.

This large horned creature is a sight to behold. Usually found playing in the mud, don’t be fooled by its playful look, this animal kills more people in Africa than any other and has been known to ambush humans who get too close. At about 700 kgs, these imposing animals are capable of scaring away even the king of the jungle. The best place to sight a Cape Buffalo in Kenya is at Amboseli National Park.

One of the most challenging animals to see, these elusive felines hide high up in the treetops and are rarely seen during the day. They spend their time observing the landscape from a height and are well camouflaged in the trees by their dazzling golden and spotted coats. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a leopard as it races down a tree trunk at dusk, getting ready for an evening of hunting. While it is one of the smaller cats of the jungle, the leopard can be ferocious. Your best chance of spotting a leopard in Kenya is at the Masai Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks.