Craving adventure and breathtaking wildlife encounters? Summer on safari is an experience like no other, a blossoming of new life, dramatic landscapes, and unparalleled photographic opportunities. From the playful antics of newborn antelopes to the thrilling hunts of Africa's most forceful predators, this season truly comes alive.

The warmer weather means longer days, making them perfect for extended game drives and magical stargazing under the vast African skies. Imagine the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls at its peak or witnessing nature's own fireworks display as lightning illuminates the horizon. 

Africa, a continent boasting over 1,100 mammal species and more than 2,000 bird species, is calling. With its numerous national parks and private reserves, the chances of spotting iconic African wildlife are incredibly high. 

With The Sandy Times, let's unveil the top 10 animals to spot on safari this summer, guiding you to the most sought-after safari animals list and helping you make the most of your adventure.

No safari is complete without encountering the awe-inspiring African elephant (Loxodonta), the largest land mammal and heaviest land animal on Earth. These giants, often a bucket-list wildlife encounter, are a must-see for anyone hoping to spot the top safari animals. 

Females live in herds of 8–100 individuals, while males venture out around 13 years old, sometimes forming "bachelor herds." Reaching up to four meters tall and weighing a staggering 6000 kg, African elephants are gentle yet dangerous when provoked. Beyond their impressive size, they play a vital role in their ecosystems, digging water holes and spreading seeds. 

While famed for being endangered, thriving populations can be found in parks home to over 12,000 elephants, making an elephant safari in Africa a highlight of your summer wildlife adventure.

Prepare to be amazed by the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), the tallest mammal on Earth and an unmissable addition to any safari animals list. These inspiring creatures, with their impressive 5.5-metre height and long necks, which are built to reach the juiciest leaves, are masters of survival. 

Docile and kind-natured giraffes are a common sight on safari, adding to the African wildlife experience. They can hurtle at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour over short distances and only need 5–30 minutes of sleep daily, often standing even while sleeping or giving birth. With unique coat patterns — no two are alike — giraffes also boast the incredible ability to go days without drinking, getting most of their water from vegetation. 

While they blend in during the wet season, the dry season makes giraffe safari spotting much easier. Head to Kruger National Park or Serengeti National Park for some of the best chances to see these magnificent safari park animals this summer, along with Zimbabwe's Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.

The mighty lion (Panthera Leo) is a safari staple. The undisputed king of the African plains and a true highlight of any safari. Though not the largest big cat, their imposing presence and captivating social dynamics make them a must-see. 

Lions are highly social, living in prides where females primarily hunt and males defend territory. Witnessing a lion hunt is a breathtaking, albeit rare, experience, but you will more often find them majestically conserving energy in the sun. Zimbabwe boasts a significant lion population, with Hwange National Park famed for one of Africa's largest.

For unparalleled lion safari sightings, head to Serengeti National Park, especially during the Great Migration, or Botswana's Okavango Delta National Park. Watching these powerful African wildlife species promises an indelible impression on your summer safari.

Witnessing the critically endangered rhino (Rhinocerotidae) is a profoundly moving experience and a testament to the power of conservation, making it a crucial entry on any safari animals list. These tank-like creatures are perhaps the toughest of the Big Five safari animals to spot in the wild. 

Gentle and timid when undisturbed, their wide, soulful eyes offer a true treat for those lucky enough to see them up close. While white rhinos are making a comeback thanks to dedicated efforts, black rhinos remain one of Africa's most endangered species. To see these grand African wildlife species, your best bet for a rhino safari in Africa is Kruger National Park, home to the continent's largest rhino population or Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. 

Zimbabwean locations like Bubye Valley and Save Valley Conservancies also offer a chance. Experience this incredible species in its natural habitat this summer before fears of their disappearance become a reality.

Behold the sheer power of the Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), a bold and beefy addition to your safari animals list and a formidable member of the "Big Five." Weighing in at nearly a ton, these statuesque bovines are known for their tenacious personality. They have powerful horns, making them dangerous prey for lions and crocodiles. 

While herds are generally calm, solitary buffalo can be unpredictable and aggressive, reminding safari adventurers of their wild nature — they have never been tamed! 

Seeing them cross the African plains in massive numbers, sometimes numbering up to 1,000, as in Chobe National Park, is a dazzling sight. It showcases the enormous scale of African wildlife. Calves, born during the rainy season for optimal nutrition, can stand within minutes to keep up with the constantly moving herd, a crucial survival tactic against predators.

While they may resemble donkeys, zebras are a unique and iconic addition to your safari animal list, boasting wild temperaments that make domestication impossible. Their distinctive stripes are as individual as human fingerprints, with no two zebras ever alike. Watching these graceful African wildlife species in vast herds, sometimes over a thousand, is a common sight on any safari. 

They exhibit fascinating social behaviours, with small herds comprising young bachelor males or females with their offspring led by a dominant stallion.

The most striking zebra sightings occur during the Great Migration, where over 300,000 zebras join wildebeest in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, creating vast panoramas of shimmering black and white that confuse predators. Another phenomenal migration of 40,000 zebras has recently been discovered in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans. 

Beyond game drives, walking safaris offer an incredible opportunity to get closer to these curious creatures, and for the ultimate experience, a horseback safari allows you to gallop alongside them. These beautiful mammals, often a lion's favourite prey, give a special perspective on the intricate balance of the wild, making zebra spotting an essential part of your summer safari adventure.

For a thrilling challenge, aim for the elusive leopard (Panthera pardus), arguably the most difficult yet rewarding African safari animal to spot. Despite over 700,000 prowling the plains of sub-Saharan Africa, their nocturnal habits and incredible camouflage make a sighting exceptionally rare. These powerful and deadly carnivores hunt alone. They rely on stealth and a diverse diet of prey ranging from small antelope to insects. 

If you are lucky enough to witness one of these big cats carrying a kill up a tree, their power and agility will leave you amazed. For the best chances to see these shy creatures, head to Kruger National Park, renowned as the world's premier leopard-spotting destination. 

Other excellent locations include Serengeti National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, as well as Zimbabwe's Hwange, Mana Pools, Matobo, and Gonarezhou National Parks. Adding a leopard to your safari animals list this summer is a true testament to patience and luck.

Brace for drama and excitement with the inclusion of hyenas (Hyaenidae) on your safari animals list. These rowdy and brazen hunters, often heard before seen with their piercing laughter, are fascinating creatures that add an undeniable dose of tension to the African plains. 

Despite their often scruffy appearance, hyenas are incredibly versatile hunters with powerful jaws capable of crunching through bone. They live in large clans of up to 80 members and, contrary to popular belief, kill most of their meals by running prey to exhaustion.

While genetically closer to felines, hyenas behave like canines, covering vast distances daily and preying on the weakest. You will frequently spot them scampering about, especially during the middle of the day when other predators are resting. For abundant sightings, head to national parks with extensive open savannahs and grasslands, such as Mana Pools, Gonarezhou, Hwange, and Matobo National Parks in Zimbabwe, or the Serengeti and Masai Mara, where they notably keep pace with the Great Migration. An encounter with these audacious opportunists promises show-stopping moments for African wildlife species this summer.

The African hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) is Africa's most dangerous animal addition to your safari animals list. Despite their large and cumbersome appearance, these semi-aquatic giants can easily outrun a human, making them incredibly dangerous if provoked. 

Known for their strong teeth and aggressive nature, it is best to admire Hippos from a safe distance on safari.

Hippos spend their days submerged in water, where they can hold their breath for up to five minutes, emerging at night to graze on up to 80 pounds of grass. They even produce a distinguished red, oily liquid as natural sunblock. Pods typically contain 10 to 30 members, with a dominant male leading them, although they can sometimes gather in massive groups of around 100 that wallow together.

For the best hippo safari spotting, head to Botswana's Okavango Delta National Park or explore the waterways of Zambezi, Matusadona, and Mana Pools National Parks and Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. 

Immortalised by Hollywood and affectionately known as "Pigs of the Plains," warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) are undeniably endearing additions to your safari animals list, making them a top safari animal to spot this summer. These distinctive creatures, with their four wart-like protuberances and outstanding tusks used for defence, are a common and endearing sight. Watching a family, or "sounder," of warthogs snuffle on their "knees" for roots and grass is one of the cutest safari experiences.

Despite their sometimes ferocious appearance, warthogs are generally placid and hardy, often living up to 15 years. They love to submerge themselves in mud baths for sun protection and pest control and can go months without water. While females live in social groups of up to 40, males are often solitary and territorial. 

You can easily spot these swift runners (up to 20 km/h when startled) in Hwange, Mana Pools, Matobo, and Gonarezhou National Parks, with Kruger National Park being a prime location to observe their famous tail-up trot. Their presence adds a unique and delightful touch to your African wildlife species viewing.