Wildlife of Africa: The Big Five

African Rhino: Diceros Bicornis (black rhino) and Ceratotherium Simum (white rhino)

The African Rhino

Image © Gordon Shaffer

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The African Rhino

Rhinos are large mammals (only second in size to the elephant), shortsighted, bad tempered but magnificent to look at. Unfortunately there aren't too many to look at these days due to poaching. Rhino horn, used for medicinal purposes, is much prized in the Middle East and the Far East where it is more valuable than gold.

There are two species of rhino in Africa, the Black rhino and the White rhino, both of which you can see while on safari. Black rhinos have suffered the most drastic reduction in population in the last 20 years. There are now only about 3500 left in the wild although valiant conservation efforts are increasing those numbers. The white rhino is more numerous numbering at over 11,000 but they are heavily concentrated in Southern Africa. Rhinos are actually neither black nor white in color, they are all grey.

For more information on conservation efforts and general information about rhinos see the International Rhino Foundation

Where to see African Rhino

• South Africa at the Kruger National Park
• Namibia at Etosha National Park
• Kenya at Lake Nakuru and Tsavo National Parks and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Note: Due to the endangered status of rhino's there are several private sanctuaries throughout East and Southern Africa where you can see rhino.