Thinking about African wildlife the Big Five come into mind. But there is more than these. We went to Zambian and Zimbabwean National Parks to meet the Big Five and friends.
The African elephant is number one of the Big Five. We were lucky to see elephants often – together with their calves and encountering other animals like warthogs (one of the Ugly Five).
Elephants feed on grass, bushes and trees. They peel baobabs with their tusks because the bark stores a lot of water.
We didn’t spot any black rhinoceros (number two of the Big Five). It is now critically endangered, occurrences are tried to be kept secret. But there are others like giraffes and hyenas (another one of the Ugly Five).
The African buffalo (number three of the Big Five) is said to be the only animal within the Big Five that is not endangered or threatened.
Lions (number four of the Big Five) feed on buffalos and defend their catch if one comes too close.
The Leopard (number five of the Big Five) is mainly active between sunset and sunrise and therefore difficult to spot.
There also is a natural abundance of small birds.
Even more different large birds can be seen – including Marabou storks and vultures (further two of the Ugly Five).
Omnipresent hippos complement the good quota of four of the Big Five plus four of the Ugly Five each.
Dammed up Zambezi River builds Lake Kariba. A long lasting dry period reveals the sunken trunks.
