5 National Animals and Where to Find Them

Chat now on WhatsApp

Every country in the world, selects a single animal, to act as the representative symbol of the values of the nation and its people.Now, we all know that the continent of Africa is rich in wildlife. Almost every wild animal can be found on this interesting continent; from the hunters to the herbivore’s, the endangered and the rare. So, wouldn’t it be interesting to know which animals, the countries within Africa, have selected as their national animal?After all, the national animal is a big deal; it exudes characteristics that a country wants to mirror and be remembered by. With so many fascinating choices, how do these countries choose, and more importantly, which animal have they settled on, and why?Since most countries want to be seen as powerful and strong, you’d think they’d all have opted for the lion, or perhaps the leopard, but surprisingly enough, this isn’t the case. That’s why we’ve put together a list of five national animals, and where to find them!

Namibia

Namibia is one of the most captivating places, in Africa. It’s one of the most untouched locations, as the majority of the landscape is desert. While Namibia is a hit with the tourists, because of it’s majestic open spaces and overwhelmingly large, red dunes, it also boasts rich culture, and unusual game, which makes it a must-see destination! One can find the likes of ostrich, springbok, hyena, and oryx, roaming the plains of Namibia, and the country has chosen the oryx as their national animal! The antelope has unusual colourings; sporting a solid tan colour, with black stripes along its underbelly, face, and legs. It has two long, narrow (and deadly) horns, which are, of course, used as a defense mechanism. The Oryx represents courage, elegance, and pride, and is proudly represented on the coat of arms, of Namibia.Where to find them: The Oryx, or ‘Gemsbok’ as it’s sometimes called, can be found in Etosha National Park, as well as the open plains of the Namib desert.

South Africa

There is one word that perfectly describes the beautiful country of South Africa, and that is; diversity. Not only are the landscapes diverse; being home to the grasslands of the Kruger National Park, exquisite mountain ranges, and stunning beaches, it’s also diverse in culture. South Africa boasts eleven official languages, with nine different culture groups, including Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Tswana, and Swazi, to name a few.South Africa is also rich in wildlife, and is a great place to spot the big five; being the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo. With the greatest, and strongest animals roaming the country of South Africa, it’s surprising that the Springbok was chosen as its national animal. The springbok, however, is known for its agility, being able to jump (‘spring’) up to four metres.Where to find them: The springbok can be found in abundance in the Northern Cape and the Karoo.

Botswana

Botswana is yet another breathtaking country, found near the south of Africa. Open grasslands, that extend for miles, which are riddled in the world’s most beautiful wildlife, is what makes this destination a cut above the rest. From sightings of the big five to rare wildlife species and fauna and flora that will leave you speechless, Botswana prides itself on this unusual typography. The chosen national animal of Botswana is the gorgeous, black and white striped animal; the Zebra, and was chosen because it’s seen as harmless and lovable, making it easier for the people of Botswana to relate to. The symbol also reflects national unity and is found on the country’s coat of arms.Where to find them: The zebra roams throughout Botswana, but can be found in large herds near the Kalahari desert; the Makgadikgadi pans, and the Okavango Delta.

Tanzania

You may have heard of the Serengeti National Park, where the great mammal migration takes place each year; around the months of January to March, and November to December. It’s a natural spectacle that attracts thousands of people each year, as the wildlife migrate in their strong numbers across the plains, to greener pastures and water. Tanzania is where all of this goes down, so it’s no wonder the country has chosen a mammal as their national animal, and they’ve chosen the tallest of them all, too; the giraffe. The legs of a giraffe, alone, are more than 6 feet in length-taller than that of most humans. The country believes the giraffe reflects mental, physical and spiritual strength, as well as flexibility. The country believes the long neck of the giraffe allows it to have a better perspective and ‘see life from all angles,' which is what they hope to mirror, as a nation.Where to find them: The Serengeti National Park and Selous National Park.

Zambia

Zambia, home to the exquisite natural phenomenon and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; the Victoria Falls, prides itself in raw, natural charm. Just when you think the country has been blessed abundantly in natural beauty, it’s also home to a plethora of wildlife. But, even with so many choices, the country settled on the African Fish Eagle as their national animal, to represent their values and their people. The African Fish Eagle is depicted as the eagle of liberty and is representative of the country’s wealth; not just economically, but in beauty, too.Where to find them: These enchanting birds are usually found near rivers, or lagoons, which means you have a good chance of seeing them if you visit the Victoria Falls!

More Stories from Archive

Customer Testimonials

4.9
out of 5 based on
Dec 12, 2024
Anja Is A Fabulous Travel Consultant
Anja Mayer was extremely knowledgeable, patient, prompt with her responses to questions, and always very helpful. She was also a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone that asks that Anja is the right person to contact if they are interested in travelling to South Africa or Botswana.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 12, 2024
Anja did a fabulous job!
Anja was knowledgeble, patient prompt with her responses to questions and always very helpful. In addition, it was a pleasure working with her. I would recommend her to anyone without any reservation.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 10, 2024
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to…
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to arrange and organize our trip!! She was on the ball, made sure everything was in place and travel arrangements secured! I highly recommend her!!
JUDITH ANN
,
US
Dec 9, 2024
Great support from Shann
Shann made the booking experience seamless - provided very helpful information to ensure we fully understood what the experience would be like and made sure we felt safe with experiences we have booked.
SUE And Bryson STEIN
,
AU
Dec 9, 2024
Quick & efficient
Very fast response, polite - impressive
Eduardo Rocha
,
BR
Dec 7, 2024
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays…
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays travel ..information about flight changes hard to get..but on arrival the holiday was taken over Safari.com..amazing ..experience everything was fine tuned and the staff ..guides drivers fabulous and friendly ..lots of knowledge..lots of fun and the surprises they did was so lovely ...loved every minute ..Paris our guide was amazing..10/10 and Eric driver ..the waiters and waitress every and everyone in the hotels .smiling and friendly..Best holiday of my life
Gillian Dodsworth
,
GB
Dec 7, 2024
Anja at Safari.com was a great partner to work with!
Working with Anja at Safari.com was great. She was able to work some magic and got us a few nights at the safari lodge we really wanted, Ngoma. Unfortunately, our flight from the USA to South Africa was canceled and we were rebooked a day later but Anja was great about making sure our lodge and the transports knew about the change in plans and made sure we got to our trip as soon as we could. She was a great partner to have and communicated quickly whenever we reached out. I would highly recommend using her when planning a trip to Africa!
Joanna
,
US
Dec 4, 2024
Prompt & knowledgeable
Prompt & knowledgeable
Scott Millar
,
ZA
Dec 4, 2024
Great service from Denise at Safari.com
Denise from Safari.com was extremely helpful. She responded promptly, provided good advice on safari lodgings options and worked up a couple of itinerary options to suit our budget. Denise also organised flights and transfers very quickly so that we could finalize our booking in a short time. Much appreciated.
Noelene Hosking
,
AU