Shy Animals in Africa & Where to See These Elusive Safari Animals

Africa’s abundant wildlife is peppered with shy safari animals great and small. While everybody wants to see the Big 5 of Africa, there is a host of shy animals in Africa that even the most seasoned safari connoisseur would be lucky to check off their sightings list…

The Shy Animals List: 6 Shy Animals in Africa

Wild animals are by nature shy. The African wilderness is an unforgiving environment and wildlife must adapt in any way possible. From desert plains to grasslands, forest biomes, and crippling heat, shy animal adaptations come in all shapes and sizes. As a rule, many shy animals are nocturnal and reclusive. You have to get yourself in the right place with an experienced guide to have a good chance of seeing them.

This list of shy animals in Africa and where to see them is a starting point. We’ve included everyone’s favourite shy beastie, the aardvark as well as a few smaller and rarer gems to look out for.

#1 The Shy Aardvark of Africa's savannahs

Aardvark, shy animal in Africa by Louise Joubert

The shy aardvark, pig-like with rabbity ears and a kangaroo’s tail, is perfectly adapted to finding food and staying safe from predators. This nocturnal shy animal uses its amazing sense of smell to locate termite colonies before demolishing them with its powerful claws and then lapping them up with its sticky tongue. Aardvarks can grow up to two meters in length and weigh almost 80kg! That is a lot of animal to keep hidden and as a result, an aardvark burrow can be up to 13 meters in length. In addition to this, the aardvark has numerous burrows within its 10 to 30km home range and seldom sleeps in the same place twice.

Nocturnal and slow-moving, the aardvark is a rare sighting. Its large ears are extremely sensitive and help this shy animal to avoid predators like leopards, lions, hyenas, and humans. This adaptation keeps the shyest animal in Africa, the aardvark, safe and very difficult to spot. Aardvarks are surprisingly widely distributed. Their favorite habitat is grassland and savannah-woodland but really anywhere where termites are abundant. To see the aardvark, you’ll need to head out just after sundown and take your four-leaf clover along for the ride.

#2 Low-lying Leopard, Greater Kruger in South Africa

Shy animals, leopard in South Africa by s9-4pr

One of the fabled Big 5, everybody wants to see a leopard and by the plethora of leopard pictures online, it would seem that everybody does. Panthera pardus is however one of the most reclusive and shy animals in Africa.

Resting during the day, the leopard's spots are perfect for blending into the dappled shade beneath dense bushes so it is only the keenest eyes that can spot these shy cats. At night a leopard’s range can extend over 50km² which is a lot of ground for this big cat to cover.

The southern region of the Greater Kruger National Park has the highest leopard population density. This is a great place to start. In addition to the Greater Kruger, you are also likely to see leopards in South Luangwa National Park (Zambia), Moremi Game Reserve (Botswana), Samburu National Park (Kenya), and the Serengeti-Mara eco-system that spans Tanzania and Kenya.

#3 Shy animal (or impossible)… Elusive Okapi, the forest giraffe in DRC

Okapi, shy animals in Africa by Derek Keats

The okapi, the closest relative of the giraffe, lives in a dense forest habitat that is undisturbed by people. They are solitary animals to the extent that females will leave their calves alone while they forage until the young are old enough to join them. Their only natural predators are leopards and humans. Scientists believe that these shy animals' habits are an attempt to avoid predators. The shy okapi’s natural solitary habit and behaviour mean that in the past it has had an almost mythical aura. Through conservation efforts, we know that they are out there.

To see an okapi in the wild is almost impossible. Mostly, this is due to the security situation in the DRC. There are three leading contenders; Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Maiko National Park, and Lomani National Park all in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While Lomani was only established in 2016 and has very little infrastructure, Maiko is possibly the most inaccessible national park in Africa and due to rebel activity and security concerns, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is currently off-limits.

#4 The Bat-eared Fox, South Africa

Bat-eared fox, shy animals by Derek Keats

The bat-eared fox is actually not a fox. It is the only member of the Otocyon genus. This shy animal lives in close-knit family groups that are usually made up of a male and female pair and their cubs. These shy animals of Africa are interestingly polygamous, meaning that the male may take on a second and even third wife if conditions are right. The bat-eared fox is not territorial but shares its range with other bat-eared fox packs. They even forage together with these groups.

Nocturnal in hotter climates of East Africa, South Africa is by far the best place to see bat-eared foxes. In South Africa’s cooler winters, the foxes are active both during the day and at night. Another excellent place to see bat-eared foxes is the great wildebeest migration between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Bat-eared foxes are insectivorous and dung attracts insects. Zebra follow the wildebeest and about a week after the zebra is prime viewing time for the bat-eared foxes!

#5 The shy but tenacious Black-footed Cat

Black-footed cats, shy animals by Karoo Cats - Cat Conservation Trust

The next of our shy animals in Africa is the black-footed cat. This shy cat could be the poster child for the cutest animal in Africa! About half the size of a regular domestic cat, the black-footed cat is not only one of the smallest wild cats in the world but also the fiercest. Sleeping about 14 hours a day, the black-footed cat makes the most of its waking hours by having the highest kill rate of any African cat. These feisty felines are successful in 60% of their hunts versus the lion for example which only has a 20% success rate. They are nocturnal by nature and will eat mostly rodents but also birds, lizards, snakes, and insects. Despite their small size, they are notoriously fierce, taking on animals much larger than themselves!

Shy animal, black-footed cat by Karoo Cats - Cat Conservation Trust

Limited to Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, these shy animals prefer short to medium grasslands, scrub deserts, and sand-plains including the Kalahari and Karoo deserts. In South Africa, you can see the solitary black-footed cat at the Cat Conservation Trust in Cradock (see video below).

Or, if you want to take your chances of seeing these shy cats on safari; Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa has a thriving population.

#6 The poor Pangolin

Ground pangolin, Tikki Hywood Trust by Tikki Hywood Trust

The shy pangolin has become famous for all the wrong reasons. The most trafficked animal in the world is as shy as they come; people who have seen them in the wild know that it is a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. In Africa, sightings are so rare that it is traditionally considered to be a royal animal and if found, must be presented to the local king.

There are four species of these shy animals in Africa: Temminck’s ground pangolin, tree pangolin, giant pangolin, and long-tailed pangolin. The pangolin’s body is covered in scales, its sticky tongue is the length of its body and mommy pangolins have a habit of carrying their young on their backs. Widely distributed throughout southern Africa, the main thing you need to see this shy animal in its natural habitat is a miracle.

Baby pangolin, Tikki Hywood Trust by Tikki Hywood Trust

For a sure thing, however, the exclusive Tswalu Kalahari is dedicated to understanding all things pangolin, and their researchers share information about their residents with the guides. Namibia, being a world leader in conservation is also a great pangolin destination and you could do a lot worse than a night-time safari drive in Etosha Park.

Come see the bold and shy safari animals in Africa!

The animals of Africa are a wonderful smorgasbord of shapes and sizes. From the bold and obvious safari animals which are must-sees to the shy animals on the fringes of the big show, these creatures will keep you guessing, looking, and always coming back for more.

For help planning the ultimate wildlife safari in Africa, contact African Budget Safaris

Shy cat in Africa by Cat Conservation Trust