Let's go on a wildlife safari! A safari is an expedition to see animals in the wild. Safaris are especially popular in Africa. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Grab your sketchbook and a pencil. It's time to go on a drawing safari!
47 Easy Safari Animals Drawing Tutorials
Elephant
The elephant is the largest land animal in the world. They live in herds and use their powerful trunks to pick up food, bring water to their mouths, and even knock down trees!
Lion
Lions are known as the Kings of the Jungle. They live and hunt in groups called prides. The lion in this illustration is a male - it has a hairy mane around its neck.
Tiger Face
The tiger is the largest cat in the world. It lives in various parts of Asia. Tame this roaring tiger with the help of our animal drawing guide!
Cartoon Tiger
According to some surveys, the tiger is named "favorite animal" by more people than any other species. It is no wonder, as tigers are beautiful and mysterious. But they are also endangered. Raise awareness when you draw a tiger with the help of this guide.
Eagle
Different types of eagles live all over the world. The bald eagle, like the one pictured in this drawing guide, can be seen across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Cartoon Gorilla
Gorillas have long captured our imaginations, from King Kong to Tarzan to Mighty Joe Young. There is so much to learn about these amazing animals, which use tools and live in family groups.
Cheetah
Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animals. While hunting, they can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour! Hurry up and draw this big cat before she gets away!
Peacock
Peafowl are native to Asia and Africa. Since long ago, royal families and later other people around the world kept the beautiful birds as pets. The males have long, colorful tail feathers that they hold in a fan shape.
Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest land animals. They use their long necks to reach leaves at the tops of trees. But did you know? Giraffes have the same amount of neck bones as you do!
Zebra
Zebras resemble white horses with black stripes. They travel in large herds, and the patterns act as a form of camouflage - the dizzying stripes confuse predators and make it hard to single out a zebra to hunt. But you won't be confused when you follow this easy drawing guide!
Lion Head
The male line with its bushy mane is one of the most iconic animals of Africa. He also has a fearsome roar!
Lizard
Wherever you go on safari, keep your eyes peeled for interesting lizards. In Africa, Asia, or Australia, you might see huge monitor lizards. But even in your backyard, small lizards likely scurry about.
Buffalo
The buffalo or bison is one of the biggest land animals in North America. A century ago, they roamed the midwest in herds numbering into the billions. They were nearly hunted to extinction, but today they are making a comeback.
Alligator or Crocodile
Can you tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Alligators live in North America, while crocodiles live in Africa and Australia.
Hippo
Hippopotamuses are large mammals that live in rivers in Africa. They travel in groups called herds or "bloats" - an apt name for groups of such a stocky animal! Despite their sharp tusks, hippos feed only on plants.
Baby Lion
Baby lions are called cubs. Within a lion pride, many females may have cubs at the same time. They raise their cubs together in one big family group.
Baby Tiger
There is nothing cuter than a baby tiger! Learn how to draw this adorable striped tiger cub.
Baby Elephant
Lions and tigers and... baby elephants, oh my! That's one big baby... on the day it is born, an African elephant already weighs nearly 400 pounds.
Baby Giraffe
Did you know? Unlike many animals, mother giraffes do not lay down when their babies are born. They stand, and the babies drop six feet to the ground! But don't worry, these sturdy babies can stand and even run within an hour of being born.
Baby Bird
No matter where you live in the world, you can find a baby bird on your backyard safari. Look for busy mommy and daddy birds building nests and finding food during the spring and summer. Their babies are nearby!
Rhino
Along with the elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo, the rhinoceros is considered one of Africa's "Big Five." It is also one of the most endangered. In 2021, only two northern white rhinos remain - both are female, and no more will be born. When these two individuals are gone, this rhino species will become extinct.
Jaguar
Jaguars are the big cats of South and Central America. Did you know? Their native range extends as far north as Texas in the United States!
Rattlesnake
If you hear a rattling sound, watch out where you put your foot! This poisonous snake can be found throughout North America.
Falcon
Falcons are small birds of prey that can be seen throughout the world. The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world. It can dive at more than 200 miles per hour!
Hyena
Hyenas are African animals known for making a sound like laughter. Hyenas are neither dogs nor cats, though they resemble both.
Vulture
Vultures are the cleanup crews of the animal world. They live on every continent. Without them, the world would be a stinkier place!
Gecko
Geckos are small animals that live in tropical regions around the world. Their feet are specially designed to let them climb up walls and even stick to smooth glass!
Pelican
Pelicans are seabirds that live all over the world. They can carry fish in a pouch below their beaks.
Lioness
Majestic male lions may get the glory, but lionesses do the hard work! Female lions do most of the hunting.
Snake
This coiled serpent is ready to strike! You will use overlapping lines to sketch the "S" curve of its long body, as well as the "Y" shape of its forked tongue.
Tiger
Draw this stripey seated tiger. Then, check out the roaring tiger drawing guide listed below.
Realistic Elephant Head and Face
Have you ever come face to face with an elephant? Now you can! Notice the overlapping ridges of its face, its large ears, curled trunk, and pointed tusks.
Easy Cartoon Lion
Lions are the epicenter of every safari. You can draw this cute maned lion seated on its haunches.
Cartoon Hawk
Fly high with this fearsome cartoon hawk. He is perched - posed in a standing position with his wings at his sides. His eyes are fierce and his beak is open to emit his piercing cry.
Easy Elephant Head and Face
Did you try the elephant tutorial above? Here's a simplified version. This easy drawing is great for beginners.
Panda Face
Unique, contrasting markings make panda bears fun to sketch. This realistic drawing has a distinctly furry texture.
Tiger Roaring
This fearsome tiger is announcing his presence with a thunderous roar! Sketch the striped fur and the snarling mouth.
Monkey Face
Monkeys' faces have all the same parts that ours do - two eyes, two ears, a nose, and a mouth. But their exaggerated features give them a comical appearance!
Gorilla Face
This portrait of the largest of the great apes can help you see how much we have in common with this intelligent animal.
Easy Monkey
Monkeys are many people's favorite animals. This one is standing in a human-like posture with a smile on its face. It also has a furry body and a long prehensile tail.
Antelope
Antelope like this Thompson's gazelle are one of the most abundant safari animals on the savannah. You will recognize its white belly and black lightning bolt-like pattern.
Snake Face and Head
Lots of different snakes can be found on safari, but this one's fangs indicate that it is venomous. It might be a black or green mamba, a boomslang, or a puff adder.
Cheetah Face
Cheetahs can often be seen hunting gazelles like the one above. Get up close and personal with this cheetah when you draw his portrait. Notice the dark markings that reduce glare just like those American football players wear.
Giraffe Head and Face
Did you draw the cheetah portrait above? Don't stop there! You won't need a ladder to complete this friendly giraffe portrait.
Cartoon Camel
This is a dromedary or one-humped camel. Its body is shaped just like the capital letter "D." Notice its large feet that help it walk on hot sand.
More About Drawing Safari Animals
Do you know which of the animals listed below you might see on an African safari? On the savannah, you might observe elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, crocodiles, hyenas, rhinos, hippos, and zebras.
If you ventured into the forested mountains, you might be lucky enough to spot a family of gorillas. On the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa, look for lemurs leaping from tree to tree!
If you went on safari in India, a country in Asia, you'd be looking for elephants and tigers. In South and Central America, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive jaguar!
But, did you know? You don't have to travel around the world to see amazing animals. You can go on a wildlife safari wherever you live.
If you're from North America, you might see some of these animals from our safari list: eagles, falcons, vultures, pelicans, other birds, lizards, and snakes. In certain areas, you might even see a buffalo or an alligator.

Fun drawing idea: Next time you go to the zoo, bring a sketchbook and draw the animals you expect to see. Write your observations next to your drawing - things you saw the animal do, what it eats, and facts you learned at the zoo.
Also, see this post for more cute animal drawings.

See a Google Web Story of this Safari Animals Drawing Ideas Blog Post.