Dozens of exotic animal species are mentioned in the pages of In Desert and Wilderness. Little wonder: Africa is a continent famous for plentiful and varied flora and fauna.

The most recognisable African animals are of course the great herbivorous (i.e. plant-eating) mammals: elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses and antelopes, as well as carnivores (i.e. meat-eating) ones: mostly the big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs (but also jackals and hyenas). All these animals are perfectly adjusted to living in the African climate. The five large African mammals – the African elephant, the black rhinoceros, the lion, the wildebeest, and the leopard were called “the great five”. The term was invented by hunters who considered these animals the most difficult to hunt.

These are not the only dangerous creatures in Africa. On the way, Staś and Nel encountered for example, the dangerous “wobo”, a mysterious predator from the feline family, whom locals deemed more horrible than a lion. It’s impossible to say what animal this could be, although some claim that Sienkiewicz meant a serval (a wild cat native to Africa).

Africa is also inhabited by plenty of ape and monkey species. They mostly live in the tropical forests, but they are also found on the grassy expanses of the savannas.

The central part of the continent is inhabited by numerous bird species, including flamingos, grey parrots, and very characteristic shoebills. There are also plenty of insects, amphibians, and reptiles: snakes (for example cobras, and the very aggressive, quick, and venomous black mambas), lizards (monitor lizards and chameleons), and turtles and tortoises.