I truly believe that this is something that Marvel Entertainment cannot even create.  This gorgeous animal is so super small, truly unique and so special.  I have seen one Aardvark in my life. And I can tell you I was so overwhelmed and excited. I couldn’t take a photograph of it.  This is a truly blessed sighting, so if you can tick it off while on Safari, you have great luck!

Move over, lions and leopards—there’s a new safari star in town. Meet the aardvark. No, it’s not an anteater. And no, it’s not some mythical creature from a children’s book. The aardvark is 100% real, 100% African, and 100% fascinating.

This long-eared, snouty, solo adventurer is one of the most underrated animals on safari. While the Big Five hog the spotlight, the aardvark is out there doing important, dirty work—literally.

If you’re a safari travel blogger, a wildlife lover, or a sucker for weird and wonderful creatures, then buckle up. We’re diving headfirst into the sandy world of Africa’s “earth pig.”

Where to Spot an Aardvark

First off, spotting an aardvark is harder than finding a needle in a termite mound. They’re nocturnal, shy, and excellent at disappearing. But if you’re lucky, you might catch one on a night safari in places like:

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa/Botswana)

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (South Africa)

Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Kruger National Park, if you’re blessed by the safari gods

These sandy-soil areas are perfect for aardvarks to dig like furry little excavators. They prefer open savannah, bushveld, and grasslands, not the jungle. Think dry, think dusty, think termite-infested heaven.

What Do Aardvarks Eat?

If aardvarks had Tinder profiles, they’d swipe right only on one thing: termites.

Yes, they’re obsessed with termites. Not so many ants, despite what cartoons suggest. Using their powerful claws, they rip open termite mounds, then slurp the contents like a vacuum cleaner with a sticky 30 cm-long tongue.

One aardvark can eat 50,000 termites in a single night. That’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet… every single day.

Occasionally, they snack on ants, and once in a blue moon, they’ll nibble on the aardvark cucumber—a special little fruit that helps them stay hydrated. Even their salad is weird.

Personality: The Shy Earth Mover

The aardvark is introverted, mysterious, and a bit of an oddball. They prefer to be alone, digging burrows and minding their own business.

Despite their solitary nature, they’re super important for the ecosystem. Their burrows provide shelter for over two dozen other animals, including wild dogs, snakes, and even owls.

They walk with a strange shuffle, ears twitching like satellite dishes, sniffing out their next snack. Think of them as the night janitors of the savannah, quietly keeping termite populations in check while everyone else is asleep.

Who’s After Our Sweet Aardvark?

Unfortunately, this quirky cutie has a target on its back. Natural predators include:

Lions

Leopards

Hyenas

Wild dogs

And sometimes pythons (because apparently, no one is safe in Africa)

But don’t worry—aardvarks are surprisingly speedy. If threatened, they can bolt at 40 km/h and disappear underground in seconds. If all else fails, they dig. Dig and vanish. Like a sandy Houdini.

Let’s Talk Love: Aardvark Romance

Aardvarks don’t do long candlelit dinners. When the time is right (usually once a year), they get together briefly for a little aardvark affection. It’s quick. Efficient. Then it’s back to solo life.

After mating, the female is pregnant for about seven months. That’s right—seven months of growing one tiny, squishy miracle.

Aardbaby Alert: Cuteness Incoming

When it’s time, Mama Aardvark gives birth to a single baby (rarely two). This pink, hairless baby—affectionately called an “aardbaby” by basically no one but me—is born in a cozy burrow.

It weighs around 2kg and looks like a cross between a piglet, a bat, and an alien. But in the cutest way possible.

The little one stays safely underground for a few weeks, and then it starts exploring with mom at night. By 6 months, it’s digging like a champ. And by 1 year, it’s out on its own. No teenage rebellion needed—just a solid termite trail.

Why Aardvarks Matter (Yes, Really)

Aside from being the poster child for underappreciated safari animals, aardvarks do a lot of heavy lifting for biodiversity.

Their burrows act like wildlife hotels. They keep termite populations under control. They aerate the soil. They are, in short, the unsung heroes of the African night.

Yet, despite all this, very little is known about them. Because they’re so shy and nocturnal, scientists are still uncovering basic details about their lives.

Final Thoughts: Protect the Aardvark

The aardvark isn’t endangered, but its habitat is shrinking due to farming, development, and climate change. Prolonged droughts also impact termite populations, which means less food.

As wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and travel bloggers, we have a role to play. Whether it’s sharing their stories, supporting conservation, or simply being excited when we spot one on safari, we can help raise awareness about this wonderful weirdo.

Want a cool safari story? Tell people you saw a lion.
Want a legendary one? Tell them you saw an aardvark. They’ll be jealous forever.

A Final Quote to Dig In With

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”
— Baba Dioum

So let’s teach people about aardvarks. Let’s help them understand. And maybe—just maybe—fall in love with the quietest, quirkiest, termite-loving oddball of the African night.