3 Animals You Don’t Expect to Steal the Show | Avula Safaris
Everyone dreams of seeing the Big Five. The lion’s roar, the elephant’s presence, the leopard’s stealth—they’re the poster animals of the African bush. But every once in a while, a safari surprises you. Not with the size or danger of a creature, but with its charm, behavior, or unexpected presence.
At Avula Safaris, we’ve seen seasoned hunters and wildlife photographers alike get completely captivated by animals they never expected to remember. Here are three that often steal the spotlight.
1.
The Honey Badger – The Bush’s Fearless Underdog
You’ve heard the legends, seen the viral videos—but seeing a honey badger in person is another story.
One morning just before sunrise, we spotted a small shape hustling across the road near the edge of a dry riverbed. At first glance? Maybe a mongoose. But then it turned, looked straight at us with unbothered confidence, and kept walking as if it owned the reserve.
Honey badgers are small, sure. But they’re built like tanks and act like they know it. With powerful jaws, sharp claws, and zero fear, they’ve been known to take on snakes, jackals—even leopards.
The highlight? Watching one casually dig up a hole, devour a scorpion, then lie down for a nap right in the middle of our view. No fear, no fuss, just pure attitude.
2.
The Bat-Eared Fox – Big Ears, Bigger Personality
We were glassing a distant ridge for signs of kudu when our tracker spotted something unusual near a termite mound. At first, all we saw were two massive ears sticking out of the grass.
Then came the face—bright-eyed, twitchy-nosed, alert.
The bat-eared fox is a small, insectivorous predator, mostly active during twilight hours. Their giant ears help them locate prey underground. But more than that, they’re incredibly entertaining to watch. Skittish yet curious, always listening, always moving.
On this particular evening, a pair of them gave us a show—digging, yipping at each other, and rolling around like puppies. Even our most experienced guide admitted, “I could watch these little guys all day.”
3.
The Dung Beetle – Nature’s Unsung Hero
Yes, a beetle made the list. And it deserves to be here.
We were following a herd of buffalo when we paused for a water break. That’s when one of the guests spotted it—a dung beetle rolling its perfectly round ball of dung across the road. And not just one. Three others joined in.
What followed was ten full minutes of laughter and fascination as we watched these tiny creatures navigate rocks, holes, and each other with tireless determination.
It’s not just comical—it’s remarkable. Dung beetles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, cleaning up waste, recycling nutrients, and aerating soil. They’re engineers, janitors, and recyclers all in one.
For the rest of the day, the buffalo were forgotten. The beetles became the story.
Expect the Unexpected
The beauty of a safari isn’t always in the animals you come looking for—but in the ones you find when you’re not looking.
At Avula Safaris, we believe every creature has a story to tell. Some are majestic. Others are fierce. And a few? A few will just make you smile and remember why you came here in the first place.
