10 Rare & Remarkable Animals to See on a Zambia Safari

Zambia is home to the wildlife of a classic African safari—elephants wandering vast plains, cheetahs stalking silently through the grass and hippos bobbing in rivers. Yet Zambia offers even more: an extraordinary variety of rare and unusual animals found in few other places. Go beyond the familiar safari sightings to uncover the remarkable wildlife diversity of Zambia’s pristine, lesser-known habitats.

The Thornicroft’s giraffe has dark, large leaf-shaped spots traveling down its cream-colored legs. © Roger Leguen/WWF-Canon

1. Thornicroft’s giraffe

Also known as the Rhodesian giraffe, Thornicroft’s giraffe is recognized by its distinctive leaf-like pattern. This unique subspecies, named after former North-Western Rhodesia commissioner Harry Scott Thornicroft, lives exclusively within the Luangwa Valley.

2. Roan antelope

Often mistaken for sable antelope, the roan antelope has a lighter coat and long, powerful horns. Travelers lucky enough to witness territorial disputes will see males drop dramatically to their knees before violently clashing their horns in fierce competition.

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

3. Puku

Zambia is one of the best locations in Africa to observe pukus, medium-sized antelopes noted for their golden-red coats. Herds congregate on floodplains during the dry season, creating a spectacular sight for wildlife enthusiasts.

4. Bushpig

With short legs, a rounded body, long snout and small eyes, the bushpig is an elusive nocturnal species. Typically found in groups of about a dozen, bushpigs forage after dark, offering adventurous travelers a rare nighttime safari encounter.

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

5. Crawshay’s zebra

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

6. White-tailed mongoose

This is the largest mongoose species, characterized by longer hind legs giving its back a rounded appearance. Primarily solitary and nocturnal, travelers might spot or hear this mongoose on evening game drives. It’s also known for its skunk-like odor used as a defense mechanism.

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

7. Tree-climbing lions

In Kafue National Park, lions exhibit the unusual behavior of resting high in fig trees. Witnessing lions lounging on branches is both an extraordinary wildlife sighting and a photographer’s dream.

8. Lichtenstein’s hartebeest

This large antelope is recognizable by its high shoulders, yellow-brown coat and distinctively curved horns forming an “S” shape. Both males and females have these unique horns, making identification easier during safaris.

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

9. Pangolin

Though sightings are challenging due to their shy and nocturnal nature, pangolins can occasionally be spotted in Kafue National Park. Known as the “scaly anteater,” pangolins protect themselves by curling into a tight, armored ball when threatened.

10. Cookson’s wildebeest

This subspecies of wildebeest, found only in Luangwa Valley, is smaller than its cousins. Easily identified by distinct, reddish bands running down its sides, Cookson’s wildebeest provides a unique wildlife viewing experience.

Discover Zambia’s extraordinary wildlife on safari with WWF and Natural Habitat Adventures.

By Marsea Nelson, WWF guest blogger