Whether you love wildlife, animals, or just the great outdoors; African game reserves are some of the best places for observing nature in all its forms. Expect to see everything from wildebeest to buffalos, hippos to elephants and much more.
Safari holidays are the perfect way to observe the big five animals, which famously include; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo. But, you may be surprised to learn that of these, only lions are amongst the fastest animals in the world.
Curious to learn more? Then it’s time to swot up ahead of your safari holiday. and find out what are the fastest animals on earth:
Cheetah
When it comes to the top 10 fastest land animals in the world, the Cheetah takes first place as the fastest animal on land. To give you some ideas of their agility, when sprinting they spend more time in the air than on the ground.
Reaching up to 109.4 km/h (or 68 mph), they achieve speeds that some cars can only dream of! However, the fastest Cheetah on record goes to Sarah – an 11-year-old cheetah who covered 100 meters in a mere 5.95 seconds.
Identified by their golden fur and black spots, this giant cat is best seen on African safari, particularly in; Botswana, Kenya, Namibia and South Africa.
Springbok
The Springbok is the much-loved national animal of South Africa. This medium-size antelope can gather vast speeds of up to 62mph and is best known for its prancing grace, reaching up to 13 feet in the air.
If they look familiar, it might also be because they have become an emblem for the country, featuring everywhere – including the shirts of the South Africa rugby team who are also known as The Springboks.
The Springbok’s swift nature is also part of their evolutionary natural defence in avoiding predators. Native to southwest Africa, Springboks are one of the reasons so many people go on safari. There’s nothing quite like seeing them in their natural habitat.
Wildebeest
Going by several monikers, from wildebeest to white-bearded wildebeest, to (our favourite) brindled gnu, this giant antelope is distinguished by its menacing looks! Sharp curved horns, an unruly beard and stripes on its mane, will make you question if it’s a bull, beast or work of fiction.
Alas, this is not an animal to be messed with, as one of the fastest mammals on the planet reaching up to 80 km/h. Africa is the best place to see these wild animals, especially during their famous migration journey to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Make your safari booking for August, if you want to see this.
Peregrine Falcon
The fastest bird on earth and the fastest animal on the planet – the Peregrine Falcon swoops down at 200mph, outrunning all land animals.
Thriving on wide-open spaces, this is one bird of prey you’re likely to see on most continents, including Africa. Don’t forget to look up!
Lion
The fastest animals on earth list would not be complete without paying tribute to the king of the jungle – the lion.
Reaching speeds of 50.3 mph, it ranks as the second fastest land animal in Africa, after its friend the Cheetah. However, unlike the Cheetah this big cat is not able to sustain speeds for lengths of time and in typical feline fashion, likes to enjoy its downtime too. This has its upsides though, for those who want to see a lion on a safari holiday, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one! When you do, you can add it to your big five animals ticklist.
And the best place to see this jungle king? Africa of course. Kruger National Park in South Africa is home to roughly 1,600 of these beautiful animals.
American Cockroach
There’s little affection for cockroaches, however, it can’t be denied that they are pretty resilient critters. Not only that, they are one of the fastest animals on land. Records have shown that they can peak at 3.4mph, which for their size is pretty astonishing. In human terms, this would be the equivalent of running 210 mph!
As the name suggests, if you want to get up close and personal with one of these animals, you’ll have to head to the States, particularly the southern region since they thrive on humid conditions.
Thomson’s Gazelle
Beauty and beast combined, Thomson’s Gazelle resembles an antelope and springbok, but it’s best defined by its pointy spiral horns and stunning gold, brown and white print. Don’t be fooled by their good looks, this wild animal has been known to run as quick as 50mph, making it one of the fastest mammals you’re likely to see on your safari holiday.
Part of the reason for their speed is their need to get away from animals preying on them. They make a delicious meal for Cheetahs, and unfortunately for gazelles, they can’t quite keep up with their vast speeds.
Add this wild beauty to your safari booking bucket list, and seek them out in savannas and grassland, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania.
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
When it comes to the fastest animals on earth, the Cheetah comes second only to the Mexican free-tailed bat. This sweet little creature is native to America and has recently been nominated as a ‘species of special concern’ owing to their rapid decline.
Experts in the field have studied these flying animals, to find that they can reach ground speeds of up to 160 km/h (99mph)– that’s nearly twice as fast as some trains!
Ostrich
You might not instinctively think of the ostrich when you think of the fastest animals on earth, however, they are the fastest bird on land.
It remains quite a divisive animal, which some consider beautiful, and others consider quite the opposite! Whatever your view, it is certainly a mesmerising animal, capable of much more than you’d expect. Its long outstretched legs make it the ideal candidate for a hefty sprint, reaching up to 70km/h (45mph), when it gets going. Ostriches can be found throughout the wild, with plenty dotted around the Western Cape and the game reserves of South Africa too.
Pronghorn
And finally, the pronghorn. It’s one of the fastest mammals in the world, often confused with an antelope. This beautiful animal has goat-like looks, coupled with antelope-looking features and a nod to the bushbuck thrown in for good measure.
Another speedy animal, it has been recorded at 53mph, often running away from predators such as coyotes. However, you’re more likely to see a Pronghorn in North America, than you are in North Africa, since these are native to the country.
Now that you know all about the fastest animals on earth – join us to see them in their natural habitat.
Get in touch today and book your safari of a lifetime.
