Animals
Know your animals - no visit to Africa would be complete without spotting a wild animal or two.
Big 5
Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard
Plains Game
Not quite so dangerous, plains game is equally fascinating to see and observe.
Revel in the thrill of hitting the trail of Gemsbuck, Eland, Tsessebe, Roan, Burchells Zebra, Nyala, Impala, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Kudu, Warthog, Bushpig or Ostrich.
Yet another variety of antelope that is included in this category, and common to most of Southern-Africa, the Bushbuck roves the savannas at Popallin, falling prey to many of the ranch's predators.
And when you're sipping sundowners at day's end, watch the natural watering holes for a glimpse of the interactivity of this group, as well as the general social order that exists in the animal kingdom.
Small Game
The Duiker, Klipspringer, Grysbokkie and Steenbuck fall under the common category of small game.
They are the most docile and sweet natured of all wild animals and can be observed either feeding or lying in the long, yellowed grass, near to the edges of the road.
Their slight stature and relative lack of speed means that they are easy targets for the likes of lion and leopard. However, they are an absolute treat to view and almost seem quite used to a great deal of human inquisitiveness and interest.
Most popular Africa species
Click on the name to see the animal.
Kudu are generally reddish brown to pale grey with a longitudinal white stripe along the middle of the back and several transverse white stripes on each side. The male has spiraling horns and they are generally fairly timid and gentle.
Waterbuck are large antelopes native to southern and eastern Africa that rove in small herds near marshes or rivers.
With its fawn-coloured coat, the Eland is renowned for being the most gregarious of all antelope and can live for more than 20 years in captivity.
An African wild pig or Warthog, they use their tusks as weapons against larger predators and can be extremely vicious when provoked.
Known in other parts of the world as the Gnu, the Blue Wildebeest is identifiable by its ox-like head, horns and shoulders.
Gemsbuck are the largest and best known of the straight-horned antelope.
Zebra are horse-like in posture and gallop, and their striking facial features make them prized trophies.
Slightly built with beautiful, fine facial features, Impala can leap as long as 30 ft when in full flight.
Both male and female Red Hartebeests have curved, ringed horns arising from one short, central horn
Not commonly found, Nyala prefer to graze on the slopes of hills or mountains and can only be viewed or accessed here.
Very small antelope, Duikers stand no higher than 34 in. at the shoulder, are extremely shy and nearly always travel alone.
One of the most graceful and serene of all wild animals, the Giraffe has a keen sense of smell and hearing, as well as superb eyesight.
Its markings allow it to blend with the dappled shadows of trees.
