2026-05-19 00:00:00
2026-06-18T10:22:31+00:00
Kusini Safaris
My Top 3 Animals on Safari – A Guide's Personal Favourites
When people begin planning an African safari, their checklist is almost always topped by the "Big Five"the lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo. It’s the classic safari dream. But as a professional safari guide who has spent countless hours leading travellers through the wilderness, I’ve learned that the most profound wildlife encounters often happen when you look beyond the marketing slogans.
Asking a safari guide to choose a favourite animal is a bit like asking a chef to choose their favourite ingredient. It usually depends on the day, where you are, and what you've just seen. The answer can sometimes be, the last one I've seen! But it's a question I get asked regularly, so I thought I'd narrow it down to a top three.
3. The Chimpanzees of Mahale and Gombe
Coming in at number three is the chimpanzee. I was fortunate enough to visit Mahale Mountains National Park and Greystoke Mahale in western Tanzania and spend time watching the chimpanzees there. Seeing wild chimps had always been a dream of mine, and it lived up to every expectation I had. There is something deeply moving about being among them. Having a chimp sitting in a tree above you, or watching a mother and baby move quietly through the forest, is a profound experience you can never forget.
Chimpanzee trekking isn't a passive game drive; it’s an active pilgrimage. You track them on foot through lush, ancient rainforests, listening for their piercing pant-hoots echoing through the canopy. When you finally find them, you get to witness a complex, dramatic society playing out right in front of you from political power struggles among alpha males to the tender care of a mother cradling her infant.
The Best Place to See Chimpanzees: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park in Western Tanzania. Nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, these remote parks offer the absolute best wild chimpanzee viewing on earth.
2. The Greater Kudu
At number two is the kudu, particularly the greater kudu, which I associate so strongly with Ruaha National Park and southern Tanzania. They're one of Africa's most elegant antelope species – tall, graceful and seemingly always unhurried. The males, with their impressive spiral horns and distinctive markings, are among the most beautiful animals in the bush. They seem perfectly suited to the dry landscapes they inhabit.
The males sport massive, corkscrew horns that can grow up to an incredible 6 feet long. Combined with their striking white torso stripes and enormous, sensitive ears, they possess a regal, almost mythical appearance. Despite their size, they can vanish into thick acacia woodlands in the blink of an eye. Spotting a Kudu requires patience, sharp eyes, and an understanding of the bush, making a successful sighting incredibly rewarding for both guide and guest.
The Best Place to See Them: The dry, rugged landscapes of Ruaha National Park in Tanzania's Southern Circuit. Ruaha is a haven for Greater Kudu, where they can be seen navigating the rocky hillsides and riverbanks.
1. The African Elephant
And number one has to be the elephant.
For me, elephants are the bush. No safari feels complete without them. They shape the landscape, influence ecosystems and constantly keep you learning. Every encounter feels different. Their family relationships, personalities and behaviour are endlessly fascinating. Some of my favourite moments on safari involve simply parking quietly and allowing elephants to come and feed and drink and interact amongst us, on their own terms.
Sometimes the best wildlife experiences aren't the dramatic ones – they're simply about being present and sharing space with these remarkable animals. Ask me again next week and I'll tell you a different story!
The Best Place to See Them: Tarangire National Park (famous for its massive elephant herds silhouetted against giant Baobab trees) and the vast, untamed wilderness of Ruaha National Park.
(All images by Paul Tickner).
Ready to Experience the Authentic Side of Africa?
An unforgettable safari isn't about ticking boxes on a checklist; it's about slowing down, immersing yourself in the wild, and letting expert guides show you the hidden magic of the bush. Whether you want to trek with chimpanzees or watch elephant herds under the Tanzanian sun, we can craft the perfect, sustainable journey for you.