What is the Ugly Five?
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the ugliest of them all? Whether you’ve been on safari or you’re thinking about booking an African Safari experience, you’ve probably heard of the famous Big Five: rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, and lion. But did you know there’s a less flattering list? Our experienced safari guides are likely to introduce you to the lesser-known creatures that call Kariega Game Reserve home, including the Ugly Five.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which may certainly be the case when it comes to the animals on this list:
1. The Hyena
The Greek philosopher once described hyenas as “exceedingly fond of putrefied flesh,” while the 1994 film The Lion King portrayed them as cunning and malicious. Overall, hyenas have a bad reputation, but it’s their physical appearance and bone-chilling “laugh” rather than their personality that’s landed them on the “ugly” list. The hyena family includes four species, the striped hyena, the brown hyena, the spotted hyena, and the aardwolf. The hyena’s body is designed for both strength and endurance, with its strength loaded in their forequarters and jaw.
The Greek philosopher once described hyenas as “exceedingly fond of putrefied flesh,” while the 1994 film The Lion King portrayed them as cunning and malicious. Overall, hyenas have a bad reputation, but it’s their physical appearance and bone-chilling “laugh” rather than their personality that’s landed them on the “ugly” list. The hyena family includes four species, the striped hyena, the brown hyena, the spotted hyena, and the aardwolf. The hyena’s body is designed for both strength and endurance, with its strength loaded in their forequarters and jaw.
2. The Warthog
Warthogs are not the most beautiful creatures you’ll spot while on safari due to their flat heads, wrinkled faces and distinctive “warts,” which act as protective bumps. These bumps store fat and help protect the warthogs during fights, cushioning the blows. If you’re lucky enough to spot these ugly yet adorable animals, you’ll likely find them in family groups consisting of mom and three or four piglets running after her. They spend most of their time wallowing in mud or looking for food and have a peculiar habit of kneeling on their front knees while feeding or foraging. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot these animals while exploring the plains of Kariega, but make sure you shout “Pumba” the next time you see a warthog, as our field guides love it when our guests do this!
3. The Wildebeest
Wildebeest are famous for their great migrations and live in herds of up to ten thousand. However, this animal lands on the “not-so-pretty” list all thanks to its large, boxy head, shaggy mane and curved horns. While the Wildebeest may not possess the grace of a gazelle or the regal presence of an elephant, its importance to the ecosystem cannot be overstated. As a key grazer, it helps maintain the balance of vegetation, preventing overgrowth and promoting diversity in plant species. You'll definitely have a chance to spot groups of blue wildebeest roaming the pristine wilderness of the Eastern Cape while on safari at Kariega Game Reserve.
4. The Marabou Stork
The Marabou Stork is an unmistakable bird, characterised by its large size, bald head, scrawny neck, and massive, hooked beak. It's often described as one of the most unattractive birds in the bird kingdom, earning its place in the Ugly Five. Despite its less-than-charming appearance, the Marabou Stork is a fascinating and important species in its own right.
Nicknamed the “undertaker,” this bird is primarily a scavenger, feeding on decomposing flesh, fish, frogs, insects, and even flamingos. It plays a crucial ecological role by cleaning up decomposing carcasses and waste, which helps prevent the spread of diseases and keeps the environment clean, making it somewhat of a sanitation worker. Even more fascinating is that it’s one of the largest birds in the world, with a wingspan of 11 feet, allowing it to soar effortlessly across the skies to cover vast distances in search of food. You’ll often find the Marabou Stork in savannas and open areas. Unfortunately, you won't be able to spot this bird at Kariega as they do not travel this far south.
5. The Vulture
When spotting this scavenger bird in the wild, you might hear your guide refer to them as nature’s very own cleanup crew. Its appearance is both striking and formidable, with a bald head covered in wrinkled, fleshy lappets, a powerful hooked beak, and a robust body adorned with dark plumage. While the Lappet-faced Vulture is the official member to land on this list, any vulture can be considered part of the Ugly Five. As a top scavenger, it plays a critical role in cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Its powerful beak allows it to tear through tough hides and access nutrient-rich soft tissues that other scavengers might struggle to reach. Despite this messy work, the vulture is meticulous about its hygiene, regularly bathing to rid themselves of unsanitary debris.
Africa is home to 11 vulture species, but around seven of these species are endangered or critically endangered. To help combat this, one of the largest conservation projects is currently underway in the Eastern Cape. 160 Cape and African White-backed cultures have been relocated to their new home at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. The project aims to secure the future of these birds, with the second phase relocating breeding pairs. There have been a few sightings of this formidable bird at Kariega throughout the years, but spotting them is still extremely rare. However, one has been spotted a few times in the last month. We’re hopeful that as the project continues to unfold, we’ll have more sightings in the future.
See The Ugly Five on Safari
These animals may not be winning any beauty contests, but with a bit of imagination and squinting, you’ll find they are majestic (and adorable) in their own right. You can spot many of these animals while out on safari at Kariega Game Reserve, along with an abundance of birdlife and game. Thank you s much to Brendon Jennings for sharing these magnificent images!
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