Meet the Underdogs of the Savanna
While most safari-goers come to the Masai Mara dreaming of the Big Five, there’s another group of animals that deserves your attention – the so-called “Ugly Five.” These creatures might not win beauty contests, but they’re fascinating, ecologically crucial, and offer some of the most interesting wildlife encounters in the Mara ecosystem. Let’s celebrate these underdogs of the savanna and discover why they’re worth seeking out on your next safari adventure!
The Hyena: Misunderstood Masterminds
Often portrayed as villains in movies and stories, hyenas are among the most misunderstood animals in Africa. The spotted hyena, common throughout the Masai Mara, has a distinctive sloped back, powerful jaws, and an unusual cackling “laugh” that echoes across the savanna at night.
Contrary to popular belief, hyenas aren’t just scavengers – they’re skilled hunters that take down about 50-75% of their own food. Their social structure is fascinating too! Hyena clans are matriarchal, with females significantly larger than males and holding all the power positions.
Hyenas are incredibly intelligent, Their problem-solving abilities rival those of primates, and their clan coordination during hunts is simply amazing to watch.
Where to spot them: Hyenas are widespread throughout the Masai Mara. Look for them around Paradise Plains and near the Talek River, especially during early morning game drives. You might also spot their distinctive den sites, often located in drainage pipes or abandoned aardvark burrows.
The Vulture: Nature’s Essential Cleanup Crew
With their bald heads, hunched postures, and scavenging habits, vultures rarely top anyone’s list of beautiful birds. But the Masai Mara is home to several vulture species, including the impressive Lappet-faced vulture with its massive 9-foot wingspan and the distinctive white-backed vulture often seen circling above the savanna.
Vultures are the sanitation department of the ecosystem. A group of vultures can strip a carcass clean in under 30 minutes, preventing the spread of diseases like anthrax, tuberculosis, and rabies. Their highly acidic stomachs can digest rotting meat that would sicken or kill other animals.
Sadly, vulture populations across Africa have declined dramatically – some species by up to 90% – due to poisoning, habitat loss, and poaching.
Where to spot them: During the migration season, follow the wildebeest herds – where there’s death, vultures will gather. They’re also commonly seen perched in leafless trees or soaring on thermals during the heat of the day. The Musiara Marsh area often provides good vulture sightings.
The Wildebeest: Migration Marvels
With their odd proportions – high shoulders, sloping backs, skinny legs, and bearded faces – wildebeest look like they were assembled from spare animal parts. Their Swahili name “gnu” even sounds like a sneeze! Despite their ungainly appearance, these antelopes are the stars of the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth – the Great Migration.
Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, make the circular journey between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing. The river crossings, where thousands of animals brave crocodile-infested waters, represent some of the most dramatic wildlife moments you’ll ever witness.
Where to spot them: During migration season (typically July through October in the Mara), wildebeest are virtually everywhere. For the dramatic river crossings, stake out spots along the Mara River, particularly near crossing points like Paradise Plains and Lookout Hill.
The Warthog: The Savanna’s Bulldozers
With facial warts, tusks protruding from their mouths, and a habit of kneeling on their front legs while feeding (giving them a perpetually bowing appearance), warthogs aren’t winning any beauty contests. These wild members of the pig family often run with their tails held straight up like antennas, adding to their comical appearance.
Despite their looks, warthogs are fascinating creatures. They’re surprisingly fast, capable of speeds up to 30 mph. They live in abandoned aardvark burrows, backing in so they can make a quick forward escape if threatened.
Kids always love warthogs, They remind them of Pumbaa from The Lion King, and their habit of trotting with their tails up never fails to get a laugh.
Where to spot them: Warthogs are common throughout the grasslands of the Masai Mara. Look for them in open areas, often kneeling as they dig for roots and bulbs. They’re frequently seen around Musiara Marsh and the central plains.
The Marabou Stork: The Undertaker Bird
Standing up to 5 feet tall with a 10-foot wingspan, the marabou stork has been called “the undertaker bird” due to its appearance – hunched shoulders, black back, white underparts reminiscent of a formal suit, spindly legs, and a naked head and neck. Adding to its unusual look is the fleshy, air-filled pouch hanging from its neck.
These massive birds are scavengers, often seen at carcasses alongside vultures. They’ve adapted well to human environments too, frequently visiting garbage dumps and fish markets. Despite their somewhat gruesome feeding habits, they’re impressive in flight, soaring effortlessly on thermals with their legs trailing behind them.
Where to spot them: Marabou storks are often found near rivers and wetlands, particularly around the Mara River. They’re also attracted to kills, so if you see vultures circling, there might be marabou storks joining the feast.
Why the Ugly Five Matter
Each member of the Ugly Five plays a crucial ecological role:
- Hyenas control prey populations and clean up carcasses
- Vultures prevent disease spread by disposing of dead animals
- Wildebeest grazing helps maintain grassland health
- Warthogs till the soil with their rooting behavior
- Marabou storks help control insect populations and clear carrion
Many of these species face serious conservation challenges. Vultures in particular are among Africa’s most endangered birds. By appreciating these often-overlooked animals, we contribute to a more holistic understanding of the Masai Mara ecosystem.
Beyond Appearances
Beauty in nature goes beyond mere aesthetics – it includes function, adaptation, and ecological significance. The Ugly Five have evolved perfectly for their roles in the savanna ecosystem. Their unique appearances tell stories of survival and adaptation in the challenging African wilderness.
Next time you’re on safari in the Masai Mara, take time to appreciate these remarkable creatures. Ask your guide about their behaviors and ecological importance. You might find that the Ugly Five provide some of your most memorable wildlife encounters – and best photos!
After all, as a Masai proverb reminds us: “The eye that has seen a thing is not like the ear that has heard about it.” Only by witnessing these animals in their natural habitat can you truly appreciate their unique brand of wild beauty.
