The African grasslands—also known as African savanna grasslands—are large areas characterized by scattered trees between Africa’s rainforests and deserts. They occur along the equator and are home to most of Africa’s wild animals.

The African grasslands or the African savanna grasslands occupy large areas that fall into a category Africa’s rainforests and deserts. They mainly occur along the equator and offer scattered trees and various grasses. Most of Africa’s wild animals live in these areas. From October to March is the dry season, and most areas receive only four inches of rainfall during the entire season. During this season water holes dry up, and animals depend on rivers as a water source setting the stage for brutal fights. During the wet season—usually from May to November—an average of 508 millimeters of rain is received per month (20 inches). In some places, it rains non-stop for several hours but shines soon after that.

African grasslands are home to various acacia trees that are a delicacy for giraffes, the Bermuda grass that grows and forms a carpet-like covering on the ground, the okra with its characteristic white flowers, the bush willow whose leaves change color according to season; baobab, candelabra, elephant grass and thorny trees, among others.

African rainforests cover over 3.5 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles) and are home to many living things. They get a lot of rainfall—1,524 to 1,778mm per year (60 to 78 inches)—and are spread across the east, central and west of Africa. Nine countries have rainforests: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Congo. The area under rain forests is shrinking fast; An area of about 32 hectares (80 acres)—60 American football fields including the end zones—is cut down and used for farming or commercial purposes every minute.

Rainforests have over 8,000 species of plants and provide twenty-five percent of ingredients found in medicines. There are over 600 tree species in African rainforests with trees accounting for 70% of the vegetation. The forests are so dense that it takes rainwater approximately 10 minutes to reach the ground. Trees common in the African forests include the coconut tree and Kapok tree, the latter being one of the tallest in the world.

The African rainforest is home to many species of animals. The Mountain Gorilla, which lives around Lake Kivu in Rwanda and DRC, weighs up to 200 kilograms (441 pounds) and grows to 1.8 meters tall (5 feet 9 inches)! The rainforests and grasslands are also home to the Elephant that weighs 2,720 to 5,440 kilograms (9,000 to 12,000 pounds). Other life forms include various types of snakes, the black colobus monkey, and the pygmy hippopotamus. The pygmy hippopotamus averages 1.8 meters long (6 feet) and weighs up to 270 kilograms (600 pounds). In addition to the above, there are many species of birds that add color and luster to the African forests. One of the longest snakes in the world—the black mamba—lives in the forested grasslands of Africa.

The forested grasslands have rivers and swamps which are home to countless species of aquatic life: fish, crocodiles, frogs, monitor lizards, among others. River Congo—also called Zaire River —and its distributaries provide over 14,500 kilometers (approximately 9,000 miles) of navigable shipping routes across central Africa. It is the primary power source for the region with over 40 hydropower plants, with a potential to supply electricity to the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. It delivers 6,800 liters of water (approximately 240,000 cubic feet) into the Atlantic Ocean every minute, throughout the year. It flows over such a vast area that it is always raining at some part of the river. It is the second largest in the world after the Amazon. It is the second longest river in Africa—after River Nile—and the ninth in the world. In specific areas it is 220 meters deep (720 feet), making it the deepest in the world. It originates from the mountains and highlands of the East African Rift Valley, Lake Mweru, and Lake Tanganyika. It has numerous rapids and waterfalls as well as small islands that make traveling by boat in some areas dangerous. The name Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo comes from the name of the river.

River Zambezi is the fourth largest in Africa, after River Nile, River Congo and River Niger. It originates from Zambia and traverses six countries to the Indian Ocean: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. It is the longest river flowing eastwards in Africa, measuring 3,540 kilometers in length (approximately 1,600 miles). Victoria falls—one of Africa’s favorite spots—is on River Zambezi. Other falls include Chavuma falls on Angola/Zambia border, and Ngonye falls on western Zambia. Crocodiles and hippopotamus are plentiful in the Zambezi and buffalos, giraffes, elephants, lions, and zebras can be found near it in many areas. The river teems with many types of fish, including the fearsome tigerfish as well as yellow fish and catfish. Bird watchers can enjoy watching numerous birds: African fish eagles, pelicans, vultures and egrets, among others.

Kariba Dam, measuring 130 meters high (420 feet) and 580 meters long (1,900 feet) and one of the largest in the world, is located on River Zambezi. Commissioned in 1977 the dam produces 1,626 megawatts. River Zambezi floods annually and brings about a ceremony called Kuomboka, which when translated means “to move out of the water.” The beauty of the river and the Kuomboka ceremony attracts tourists in their thousands every year. Tourists visit the river for boating, rafting, game viewing and sightseeing.

The Kalahari Desert is a semi-desert, which receives over 249 millimeters of rainfall (9.8 inches) in some areas. The desert derives its name from the Tswana word Kalagare meaning “a waterless place.” It covers approximately 900,000 square kilometers (347,500 square miles) and spans three countries namely, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana, with the latter taking the lion’s share. Central Kalahari Game Reserve—the largest in the world—as well as Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Khutse Game Reserve are some of several conservation areas in the Kalahari Desert. It is sweltering in summer and very cold in winter, with temperatures hovering around 40°C and 0°C respectively. Most rivers that flow through the desert dry up except River Okavango, which is the only permanent river. Although the conditions are challenging, six significant tribes live in the Kalahari desert: Sun Bushmen, the Kung people, Namaqua, Griqua people and Khios people. The Sun Bushmen is one of the oldest cultures in the world; researchers allege that they have lived in the Kalahari desert for almost 20,000 years. The eland (Taurotragus Oryx), the largest antelope in Africa, lives in the Kalahari desert. Other animals include the gemsbok, leopards, lions, cheetahs, and caracals.