Africa boasts more species of charismatic megafauna than any other continent, making it a land of breathtaking animal diversity. Unfortunately, as human populations continue to grow and their demands for food, water, and land increase due to poaching, an increasing number of species are facing extinction.

However, many of Africa’s most endangered creatures are now preserved in national parks and reserves because of the vision of conservationists both past and present. Here is a list of some of Africa’s most endangered species along with the locations where you may be able to see them.

1. The Ethiopian Wolf

The only wolf species in Africa and its most vulnerable carnivore is the Ethiopian wolf. As the name implies, this attractive rusty red dog resembles a jackal and is native to Ethiopia. Due to infections contracted from domestic dogs and habitat loss to cropland, it is threatened.

Bale Mountain National Park in Ethiopia is the best location to watch Ethiopian wolves.

 

2. The pangolin

Given that its scales are employed in Asian traditional medicine, the unfortunate pangolin has the unpleasant distinction of being the most illegally trafficked species in Africa. Pangolins are considered to be in danger of going extinct, yet the majority of people have never heard of them, much less seen one. One of Africa’s most endangered species today is the pangolin.

These adorable, kind animals are armor-plated and roll into a ball to protect themselves, which is sadly a weak defense against people. With their long, sticky tongues, pangolins consume termites and ants, and the mother bears her small child on her back. Because they are so uncommon, many tourists and even safari guides consider them to be the pinnacle of wildlife sightings. I have to admit that when I first saw a pangolin in the wild, I started crying. I was both happy and saddened by how defenseless they are.

Wintertime in Tswalu Private Game Reserve in South Africa is the best time to watch pangolins.

 

3. The Black Rhino

The pointed, prehensile top lip of black rhinos, which are actually gray in color, sets them apart from white rhinos, which have square lips. White rhino calves frequently trot ahead of their mother, while black rhino calves typically follow her. Black rhinos have hooked lips because they are mostly solitary and browsers rather than grazers. Because of the widespread poaching for their horn, black rhinos are listed as Critically Endangered. According to the most current estimates, there were fewer than 5000 in 2010, although despite heroic conservation efforts, numbers are probably still down.

Top locations for black rhino sightings:

Tanzania’s Ngorogoro Crater; Namibia’s Etosha National Park; Namibia’s Damaraland; Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park

4. The White Rhino

It is regrettable that the white rhino has once again become one of Africa’s most endangered species, despite effective conservation measures that significantly increased its numbers in the 1960s. This is a result of illicit poaching to meet Asian markets’ growing demand for their horn. South Africa continues to be the white rhino’s stronghold, and heroic conservation efforts are being made to conserve it once more. The white rhino has square lips for grazing and is bigger than the black rhino.

Top locations for seeing white rhinos:

Africa’s Kruger National Park
Africa’s uMkhuze Game Reserve
South Africa’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve

5. Gorilla Mountain

The good news is that mountain gorilla populations are really growing, despite the fact that they are still regarded as one of Africa’s most endangered species. Everyone’s bucket list should include seeing mountain gorillas. It’s a costly trip, but trust me, it’s well worth the money! The hour you spend with these kind giants is something you will always remember. Another motivation to go is that your tourist money is supporting the preservation of the mountain gorillas and their habitats!

Bwindi National Park in Uganda is the best location to watch mountain gorillas.

6. The African Wild Dog

Thankfully, the African wild dog, which was once thought of as a rodent, has undergone a successful public relations makeover in recent years and is now one of the most sought-after safari sightings. Because the dogs travel great distances in pursuit of their prey and only stay in one spot for a few weeks during denning (typically the dry season months), sightings on safari are sometimes luck-based. Because they are such gregarious carnivores, they are my personal favorite animal to witness on safari. It is an honor to observe their frantic “greeting ceremony” as they prepare to hunt, emitting a variety of uncharacteristic chirping and chittering sounds. Due to their extensive range requirements, African wild dogs have become less common as a result of habitat fragmentation. Road accidents, unintentional snaring, livestock producers’ persecution, and infections from domestic dogs are further risks.

Top locations for African wild dog sightings:

Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park
Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park
Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve
Botswana’s Linyanti Concession and Selinda Concession

7. The African Penguin

It is difficult for tourists visiting Cape Town to comprehend that one of Africa’s most endangered species is the African penguin. Their nests are easily visible from the boardwalk and tourist center at Boulders Bay on the Cape Peninsula.

Unfortunately, overfishing and climate change have caused fish stocks to shift further west, resulting in a decline in African penguin populations in recent years. Oil spills pose a threat to the African penguin as well. Due to their striking black and white plumage and jack-ass braying voice, this penguin species is the only one that breeds in Africa.

Cape Point, South Africa, is the best location to watch African penguins.

8. The Giraffe of Rothschild

The tallest land mammal and one of Africa’s most recognizable and iconic creatures is the giraffe. Although giraffes are frequently seen on safari, few people are aware that habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and conflict between humans and wildlife are causing the populations of these magnificent animals to plummet outside of protected regions.

The giraffe has nine subspecies, all of which are restricted to particular parts of Africa. Less than 670 Rothschild’s giraffes were believed to exist in 2010, making them one of Africa’s most endangered species. It is located in eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Unlike the reticulated giraffe, it does not have spotting below the knees and has wider dividing white lines.

Top locations for viewing Rothschild’s giraffes:

Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park
Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park
Uganda’s Lake Mburo National Park

9. The Hooded Vulture

Despite being an essential part of the African landscape, vultures are becoming increasingly rare as a result of poisonings. Disease could spread if vultures don’t remove carcasses, as has happened in India, where 95% of the vultures are disappeared. The hooded vulture was recently designated as Critically Endangered, making it one of Africa’s most endangered birds. Their small stature and narrow hooked bill make them easy to identify from other vultures.

Top locations for hooded vulture viewing:

Kruger National Park in South Africa; Moremi National Park in Botswana
Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park

10. A chimpanzee

Given that humans and chimpanzees share 98% of our genes, it is clear from looking into their eyes that chimpanzees are our closest relatives. They also exhibit distinctly human-like behavior. One of the most thrilling safari experiences is tracking chimpanzees in the wild; it truly is like being in the middle of your own nature documentary. The loss of their habitat and the rising demand for bushmeat pose the greatest threats to chimpanzees, which are among the most endangered creatures in Africa.

Top locations for chimpanzee viewing:

Tanzania’s Gombe National Park
Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park
Uganda’s Kibale National Park