Zambia is residence to the wildlife of a traditional African safari—elephants wandering huge plains, cheetahs stalking silently by the grass and hippos bobbing in rivers. But Zambia provides much more: a unprecedented number of uncommon and strange animals present in few different locations. Transcend the acquainted safari sightings to uncover the exceptional wildlife variety of Zambia’s pristine, lesser-known habitats.

The Thornicroft’s giraffe has darkish, giant leaf-shaped spots touring down its cream-colored legs. © Roger Leguen/WWF-Canon

1. Thornicroft’s giraffe

Also referred to as the Rhodesian giraffe, Thornicroft’s giraffe is acknowledged by its distinctive leaf-like sample. This distinctive subspecies, named after former North-Western Rhodesia commissioner Harry Scott Thornicroft, lives solely throughout the Luangwa Valley.

2. Roan antelope

Typically mistaken for sable antelope, the roan antelope has a lighter coat and lengthy, highly effective horns. Vacationers fortunate sufficient to witness territorial disputes will see males drop dramatically to their knees earlier than violently clashing their horns in fierce competitors.

Only male pukus possess short, slightly curved horns. © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon

Solely male pukus possess brief, barely curved horns. © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon

3. Puku

Zambia is without doubt one of the finest areas in Africa to look at pukus, medium-sized antelopes famous for his or her golden-red coats. Herds congregate on floodplains in the course of the dry season, making a spectacular sight for wildlife fanatics.

4. Bushpig

With brief legs, a rounded physique, lengthy snout and small eyes, the bushpig is an elusive nocturnal species. Sometimes present in teams of a couple of dozen, bushpigs forage after darkish, providing adventurous vacationers a uncommon nighttime safari encounter.

Crawshay's zebras have narrower stripes without the brown shadow stripes typical in other subspecies.

Crawshay’s zebras have narrower stripes with out the brown shadow stripes typical in different subspecies.

5. Crawshay’s zebra

Distinct from different plains zebras, Crawshay’s zebra resides in South Luangwa Nationwide Park. This subspecies is marked by narrower black stripes and the absence of the faint, shadowy stripes seen in others.

6. White-tailed mongoose

That is the biggest mongoose species, characterised by longer hind legs giving its again a rounded look. Primarily solitary and nocturnal, vacationers may spot or hear this mongoose on night sport drives. It’s additionally identified for its skunk-like odor used as a protection mechanism.

Wildlife experts hypothesize lions climb trees to avoid biting insects in the grasses below. © Mark Hickey

Wildlife consultants hypothesize lions climb timber to keep away from biting bugs within the grasses beneath. © Mark Hickey

7. Tree-climbing lions

In Kafue Nationwide Park, lions exhibit the bizarre conduct of resting excessive in fig timber. Witnessing lions lounging on branches is each a unprecedented wildlife sighting and a photographer’s dream.

8. Lichtenstein’s hartebeest

This massive antelope is recognizable by its excessive shoulders, yellow-brown coat and distinctively curved horns forming an “S” form. Each women and men have these distinctive horns, making identification simpler throughout safaris.

The name pangolin comes from the Malay word "pengguling," roughly meaning "something that rolls up." © John E. Newby/WWF-Canon

The identify pangolin comes from the Malay phrase “pengguling,” roughly that means “one thing that rolls up.” © John E. Newby/WWF-Canon

9. Pangolin

Although sightings are difficult on account of their shy and nocturnal nature, pangolins can often be noticed in Kafue Nationwide Park. Generally known as the “scaly anteater,” pangolins shield themselves by curling into a good, armored ball when threatened.

10. Cookson’s wildebeest

This subspecies of wildebeest, discovered solely in Luangwa Valley, is smaller than its cousins. Simply recognized by distinct, reddish bands operating down its sides, Cookson’s wildebeest offers a singular wildlife viewing expertise.

Uncover Zambia’s extraordinary wildlife on safari with WWF and Pure Habitat Adventures.

By Marsea Nelson, WWF visitor blogger