Rhinos

Fun Fact: White Rhinos aren’t white at all. That name comes from a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word for wide, as in they have wide mouths.

Rhinoceros, which may sound like an exotic and creative animal name, is actually just derived from combining the Greek words for nose and horn. Rhinoceros’ can live to be 50 years old, and their signature horns never stop growing, with the longest recorded being nearly 5’. Rhinos are all quite nearsighted, which means they startle easily and will charge if they feel threatened. That charge can be more than a little unnerving, considering the fact that adults can weigh upwards of 3,000 lbs, and that horn...

Rhinoceros horn, which is really just keratin, is believed to have unique medicinal qualities across Asia and is literally worth its weight in gold on the black market. SIlly traditional Asian beliefs, mixed in with a healthy dose of corruption and poverty across Africa, have brought the unfortunate Rhinoceros to the brink of extinction.

Increasingly, Rhinoceroses are being kept in heavily guarded reserves so as to mitigate the threat from poachers. African Rhinos are larger than their Asian cousins, and you’re likely to see a host of other animals while you’re on Safari, so they’re our pick. Parks and reserves that still have Rhinos are quite proud of the fact, although exact numbers are often kept secret, but you’ll likely know whether or not you will have the opportunity to see one while you’re planning your African itinerary.