African Safari Theme Please enjoy this presentation When

Please enjoy this presentation! When you come across the slides with numbers #1 -12

The word 'Africa' is a vivid one that usually goes hand-in-hand with mental images

Giraffe • As the tallest animal on Earth, you'd think that giraffes would be

Elephant • There is nothing quite like the first time you see an African

Leopard • The elusive African leopard is a subspecies of leopard found only in

Lion • To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the

Rhinoceros White Rhino • The easiest way to tell Africa's two rhino species apart

Black Rhino • Once found across Southern and East Africa, the black rhino is

Cheetah • The most slender of Africa's big cats, the cheetah is an exceptionally

Buffalo • African buffalo have a robust build and distinctive fused horns. They are

Hippopotamus • Hippos are a common sight in the rivers, swamps, and lakes of

Nile Crocodile • After the saltwater crocodile, Nile crocodiles are the world's largest living

Zebra • There are three species of zebra in Africa; the plains zebra most

Wild Dog • Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild

Thanks for joining us on this safari adventure! 71

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African Safari Theme

Please enjoy this presentation! When you come across the slides with numbers #1 -12 displayed on coloured boxes please click on the numbers one-by-one to try and decode which animal is hidden underneath before the picture is revealed. Click on the words “check out this _____ video” to open a documentary on that particular animal. This video will come up on You. Tube. ** Please note that these videos are not short. They range from 40 2 -55 minutes in length. **

WELCOME TO THE SAFARI

The word 'Africa' is a vivid one that usually goes hand-in-hand with mental images of vast savanna plains dotted with exotic game. The majority of overseas visitors to Africa will go on safari, and in doing so discover that there is nothing more magical than a close encounter with the continent's incredible wildlife. Most of the species one sees on safari are unique to Africa, and many of them are instantly recognizable. In this safari ride, we will take a look at some of the continent's most iconic animals, including those that make up the African Big Five. 4

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Giraffe • As the tallest animal on Earth, you'd think that giraffes would be easy to spot on safari. However, their distinctive brown and white markings serve as exceptionally good camouflage, and it's not unusual for giraffes to simply materialize out of the bush just a few feet away. • There are nine subspecies found across sub-Saharan Africa, all of which boast blue tongues, stubby horn-like protrusions on their heads, and of course, outrageously long necks. In order to be able to drink without losing consciousness, the giraffe's neck contains special veins and valves that regulate the flow of blood to its head. • Best places to see a giraffe: Spot large herds of Masai giraffe in the Serengeti, or head to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda to see the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. 6

CHECK OUT THIS GIRAFFE VIDEO 9

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Elephant • There is nothing quite like the first time you see an African elephant in the wild. As the largest living terrestrial animal on Earth, their size alone is overwhelming; but many visitors also find themselves drawn by the elephants' tangible aura of wisdom. • Elephants are found in a wide variety of sub-Saharan habitats, including forests, deserts, and savanna. They are herbivorous, processing up to 990 pounds of vegetation per day. Although most elephants are peaceful by nature, they can be dangerous if provoked; however, they are far more at risk from humans than we are from them. • Best places to see an elephant: herds roam from Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Bostwana. 11

CHECK OUT THIS ELEPHANT VIDEO 15

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Leopard • The elusive African leopard is a subspecies of leopard found only in sub. Saharan Africa. Despite its wide range, leopards are amongst the most difficult of all safari animals to see, as they are both nocturnal and exceptionally wary of humans. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, and that is where they are most often spotted during daylight hours. They are solitary animals with exceptional predatory skills, including the ability to climb, swim, and drag prey weighing up to three times their body weight up into the trees. Leopards are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. • Places to see a leopard: South Africa's Sabi Sands Game Reserve and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia are both famous for leopard sightings. 17

CHECK OUT THIS LEOPARD VIDEO 21

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Lion • To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the most humbling, impressive sights an African safari can offer. However, whilst witnessing a kill is the ultimate prize, you're more likely to see one snoozing than in active pursuit of dinner. Lions spend up to 20 hours a day at rest, and are most active at dusk and dawn. They are the most social of all wild cat species, living in prides that typically consist of between five and 10 adult lions. Tragically, lions are threatened by human expansion throughout Africa, with experts estimating that populations could fall by as much as five percent in the next 20 years. • Best place to see a lion: Head to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana; or to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park during the wildebeest migration. 23

CHECK OUT THIS LION VIDEO 27

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Rhinoceros White Rhino • The easiest way to tell Africa's two rhino species apart is by the shape of their bottom lip: wide and square for white rhinos, and pointed for black rhinos. In fact, the name "white" rhino comes from a mistranslation of the Dutch word for "wide". • Although the survival of both species is threatened by widespread poaching, white rhinos are more numerous and therefore easier to spot, especially in Southern Africa where they prefer grassland savanna habitat. White rhinos are the largest of five remaining rhino species. With adult males averaging around 5, 100 pounds, they are also one of the world's heaviest land mammals. • Best places to see White Rhinos: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park and Kruger National Park in South Africa both offer a good chance of spotting white rhinos. 29

Black Rhino • Once found across Southern and East Africa, the black rhino is now considered critically endangered with fewer than 5, 000 individuals left in the wild and three subspecies already classified as extinct. Adult black rhinos have no natural predators, and their population collapse is predominantly due to poaching. They are killed for their horns, which are made of keratin and exported to Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike white rhinos, which can sometimes be seen living in herds, black rhinos are generally solitary (although the bond between mother and calf is strong). They favor thick scrub and bushland. • Best place to see a black rhino: Etosha National Park in Namibia is a rhino conservation success story, with a thriving black rhino population. Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy is another renowned sanctuary for black rhinos. 30

CHECK OUT THIS RHINO VIDEO 34

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Cheetah • The most slender of Africa's big cats, the cheetah is an exceptionally beautiful animal known for its incredible speed. They are capable of short bursts of up to 70 miles per hour, making them the world's fastest land animals. However, despite their speed, cheetahs often have their kills stolen by other, more powerful predators. • They are a vulnerable species with only around 7, 100 individuals left in the wild, including a tiny population of around 40 individuals in Iran. Cheetahs are found throughout Southern and East Africa, in wide open spaces that allow them to reach their top speed while pursuing prey. • Best places to see a cheetah: The Maasai Mara National Reserve provides the ideal habitat for cheetahs. Alternatively, track rehabilitated cheetahs on foot at Okonjima Game Reserve in Namibia. 36

CHECK OUT THIS CHEETAH VIDEO 40

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Buffalo • African buffalo have a robust build and distinctive fused horns. They are grazers, typically moving in herds, with no natural predators except for lions and crocodiles. Unlike other species of wild buffalo, the African buffalo has never been successfully tamed, thanks to its naturally aggressive and unpredictable nature. • Although seeing a buffalo herd ranging across the savanna is undoubtedly an unforgettable sight, it's important to treat these animals with respect. They are responsible for multiple human fatalities every year, and are considered one of the continent's most dangerous species. • Places to see a buffalo: Katavi National Park in Tanzania is famous for its enormous buffalo herds. Chobe National Park is another good bet. 42

CHECK OUT THIS BUFFALO VIDEO 46

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Hippopotamus • Hippos are a common sight in the rivers, swamps, and lakes of Southern and East Africa. Often found in groups of up to 100 individuals, hippos spend the majority of their life in water, only leaving their aquatic homes to graze on the riverbanks at dusk. • They have several fascinating adaptations, including webbed feet, large canine tusks, and the ability to secrete a kind of natural sunscreen. Male hippos are territorial, and like buffalo can be exceptionally aggressive when provoked. Similarly, take particular care never to get between a hippo mother and her calf. • Places to see hippos: Zambia's Luangwa Valley is home to the world's largest concentration of hippos. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is also full of them. 48

CHECK OUT THIS HIPPO VIDEO 52

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Nile Crocodile • After the saltwater crocodile, Nile crocodiles are the world's largest living reptile, with the biggest on record exceeding 20 feet in length. They are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in a range of aquatic habitats including lakes, rivers, and deltas. Crocodiles are well camouflaged when in the water, and are most often spotted sunning themselves on the riverbank. They have been around for millions of years, and with heavily armored skin and exceptionally strong jaws, they certainly look prehistoric. Nile crocodiles are perfect predators, employing ambush tactics to take down their unaware prey. • Places to see a Nile Crocodile: Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River during East Africa's annual migration to see Nile crocodiles in action. 54

CHECK OUT THIS CROCODILE VIDEO 58

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Zebra • There are three species of zebra in Africa; the plains zebra most commonly seen throughout East and Southern Africa, and the rarer mountain and Grévy's zebras. Although they may look like domestic horses, zebras are almost impossible to tame; while their distinctive stripe patterns are as unique to each individual as a human's fingerprints. Zebras live on grass, and in some areas, form great migratory herds in order to seek out the best grazing grounds. During the migration, they often form a mutually beneficial relationship with another African species, the wildebeest. • For sheer numbers, you can't beat the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara during migration season. To see the endangered Grévy's zebra, head to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya. 60

CHECK OUT THIS ZEBRA VIDEO 64

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Wild Dog • Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild dogs are the largest (and one of the rarest) canids in Africa. They are highly social animals, living in packs led by an alpha male and female and communicating with a series of high-pitched twittering sounds. Wild dogs hunt as a team, chasing their prey until it collapses from exhaustion. Unlike other social carnivores, weaned pups are allowed to eat first at the kill to give them the best chance of survival. Nevertheless, African wild dogs are endangered with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and diseases spread by domestic dogs. • Top destinations for spotting wild dogs include Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. 66

CHECK OUT THIS WILD DOG VIDEO 70

Thanks for joining us on this safari adventure! 71

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