Love is in the air...and Africa is no exception, with these adorably affectionate animals not afraid to share the love! Take a look at some of the cutest and most loving species in the African animal kingdom in our photo series below.
1
Baby elephants greet each other by linking trunks
These two cute elephants are happy to see each other, and it shows. Did you know that elephants use touching to communicate and show affection? In fact, they enjoy a fair amount of PDA!
2
Lions are affectionate animals in the African kingdom
The African lion needs no introduction and is one of the most requested members of the Big 5 our guests want to see on safari. Like your domestic cats, lions are affectionate animals and will rub their heads or groom each other to share the love. They are also big cuddlers!
3
Female cheetah nuzzles her young cub
Aw, how sweet! This mama cheetah is grooming her little one, showing how much she cares. Cheetahs are also part of the feline family, so this is a common way for them to express their love.
4
Giraffes will entertain you on safari with their kisses
Kiss, kiss! These giraffes are having an adorable moment. You will often see this on safari, and sometimes they even do some French kissing with their super-long (up to 45cm) tongues!
5
Two impala babies sharing a kiss
Impalas are also quite affectionate animals, like these two baby impalas taking a moment to share a kiss. We sure feel like we're falling in love when staring into those big eyes!
6
Penguins grooming each other on Boulders Beach in Cape Town
If you've ever seen penguins, you know they're not shy and enjoy rubbing against or grooming each other. Plus, did you know that penguins mate for life? Even if they lose their significant other, they don't move on and remain single instead of finding a new partner.
7
Meet majestic gorillas in East Africa
Oh, how we love gorillas! If you've ever been gorilla trekking in East Africa, you'll know that these primates have very human-like behaviour. They are, after all, our relatives, as we share 98% of the same DNA. It makes sense then that they have similar ways of expressing love!
8
Meerkat couple playing on the sand in the Kalahari desert, Namibia
The meerkat is a very affectionate African animal, often embracing and cuddling one another or giving each other a peck, like in this picture!
9
White rhinoceros mother kissing her calf
Rhinos believe love is blind...because their eyesight is not great, they rely heavily on their sense of smell. They also use body language to communicate and show their emotions to one another.
10
You missed a spot!
Just like little domestic kittens, lion cubs lick and groom each other to show affection and deepen their bond. Plus, it's adorable to see, and our safari guests all collectively go "awwww" when they see this sight (you will too!).
See Africa's Most Affectionate Animals on Safari
Why settle for static photos when you can see the real deal on safari? Our Travel Experts will tailor your dream African safari to make sure it ticks all the right boxes. Contact us today, and let's start planning!
