South Africa is home to 299 different species of mammal. These mammals are protected in a great number of different National Parks and Private Game Reserves throughout the country. The most notable of the mammals of South Africa is the Big Five which are found in fairly large numbers in different parts of the country. The Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino and Elephant are the most stately and inspiring of the mammal species found in South Africa.

Visitors to the wilderness areas of South Africa can also delight in viewing the diversity of Antelope species which the country is home to. From the illusive Nyala which favours the thickets of KwaZulu Natal to the Gemsbok which is found in great numbers in the vast spaces of the arid Kalahari. Each of the mammal species are unique with different habitat requirements. The Antelope found in South Africa range in size from the tiny blue duiker which ways no more than three Kilograms to the mighty Eland which can way up to eight hundred kilograms.

In the waters of the South African coast, large ocean mammals like the Southern Right whale can be seen from the months of June to November when they leave the waters of the Southern Ocean to calve and rear their young in the calm bays of the South Western Cape Coast.