Exploring Africa’s Most Extraordinary Ecosystems

Quick Take

• Africa's savannas are just the beginning. The continent hides ecosystems most people have never imagined.
• One of Africa's most wildlife-rich wetlands exists precisely because a river never reaches the ocean. Discover this inland delta →
• Madagascar's top predator is neither a lion nor a leopard, and it exists nowhere else on Earth. Meet the fossa →
• There's a place in Africa so hostile it looks like another planet, and scientists study its residents to hunt for extraterrestrial life. Explore Dallol's extremes →

Africa is home to some iconic and richly diverse ecosystems. While many people imagine vast savannas spanning the entire landmass, Africa actually has a wide range of environments. The continent contains enormous wetlands, expansive deserts, tropical rainforests, volcanic regions, and isolated islands. In fact, few places on Earth contain such a rich variety of ecosystems. These regions support a diversity of wildlife, including many species that have evolved unique adaptations perfectly suited to their conditions. Here are some of Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems and the fascinating creatures you’ll find thriving within them. 

The Okavango Delta 

The Okavango Delta is one of the few major non-coastal deltas in the world. Instead of flowing into the ocean, as most deltas do, its waters gradually dissipate across the Kalahari Desert. While certain seasons are dry, annual flooding transforms these landscapes into lush wetlands. This is a favorite gathering place of African elephants. Enormous herds come to the delta during the flood season. While hippopotamuses spend their days submerged in the delta’s waters, the unique African fish eagle can often be spotted perching near the shore, searching for fish below the surface. Because the flooded delta is such a hotspot for wildlife, predators from across the region are drawn to the area. Overall, the delta supports an extraordinary number of species.

Madagascar 

Madagascar is a large island off Africa’s Eastern coast. The giant landmass separated from other landmasses millions of years ago. Because of this history, its wildlife has evolved in isolation, leading to a vast array of species found nowhere else in the world. Scientists often describe Madagascar as one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. Ring-tailed lemurs, small primates that live in complex social groups, are one of the island’s most well-known animals. Panther chameleons flash their brilliant colors among the trees. The fossa, a cat-like mammal about the size of a small cougar, is the island’s largest predator. Due to the unique endemic animals that live here, conservationists work to protect Madagascar’s habitats from ongoing threats.

Dallol 

Located in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, Dallol is one of the hottest and most extreme environments on Earth. The harshness of conditions in this volcanic crater pushes the limits of what life can tolerate, making Dallol’s residents especially fascinating. The area appears like it exists on another planet. The otherworldly landscape is filled with mineral formations, acidic pools in shades of neon, and steaming vents. Tiny extremophile microbes are found in abundance, somehow thriving in highly acidic and salty habitats that would kill most organisms. Salt flies are one of the hardy insects that have adapted to survive in Dallol. Scientists look to these life forms for clues related to the limits of survival. Dallol shows us that life can exist in places once thought impossible, and this revelation may one day help guide searches for extraterrestrial life.