Lion
The king holds court in the Mara
The wildlife
Kenya's Safari Animals
Know what you're looking at — and what your guide means when they say it in Swahili. Field guides to every headline species on a Kenya safari.
The Big Five
The old hunters' list of the five most dangerous animals to pursue on foot — now safari's most famous checklist. Kenya offers all five.
African Elephant
Giants with family trees science knows by name
Leopard
The ghost of the riverine forest
Rhinoceros
The comeback Kenya fights for daily
African Buffalo
Six hundred kilos of grudge
Beyond the Big Five
The cast that makes the savanna work — from the migration's engines to the specialists your guide is proudest to find.
Cheetah
The fastest land animal, hunting in daylight
Giraffe
Three giraffes, one country — only in Kenya
Zebra
Two zebras — the crowd and the aristocrat
Wildebeest
A million and a half engines of the Migration
Hippopotamus
The river’s grumbling landlord
Nile Crocodile
Five metres of patience
Spotted Hyena
The Mara’s real power broker
African Wild Dog
The painted wolves — safari’s rarest thrill
Serval
Satellite ears on stilts
Topi
The Mara’s watchman in blue jeans
Thomson's Gazelle
Small, fast and everywhere
Warthog
Tail up, dignity optional
Common Ostrich
The bird that gave up flying and won
Flamingo
The Rift Valley dressed in pink
Secretary Bird
An eagle on supermodel legs