What animal kills the most people in africa
- Johan Siggesson
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Have you heard the question before? It’s a question that comes up surprisingly often, especially when people talk about safaris or dangerous wildlife. When people think of dangerous animals in Africa, they usually picture lions, elephants or crocodiles. But the real threats are often smaller and more silent. Mosquitoes are by far the deadliest, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year through diseases like malaria and others. Snakes come next, causing tens of thousands of deaths, especially in rural areas with poor access to medical care. Among large animals, the hippopotamus leads in deadly encounters, but even these numbers are far lower than the amount of deaths caused by insects and venomous reptiles.
Note! Of course, it all depends on how you choose to count. Are we looking at total deaths, or the danger each individual animal presents? The answer can change depending on how you look at it. So yes, mosquitoes and hippos often top the list of Africa’s deadliest animals. But there’s an important detail to keep in mind. There are only around 20,000 lions left in Africa, while mosquitoes number in the trillions. It’s no surprise that mosquitoes are responsible for so many deaths simply because there are so many of them.
But if you flip the perspective and look at how dangerous each individual animal is, the result changes completely. Mosquitoes may have the biggest overall impact, but they are not particularly deadly on their own. When it comes to the likelihood of a single animal causing harm, lions begin to stand out. Despite being few in number, they are involved in more fatal encounters per animal than any other large species.
So while mosquitoes remain the deadliest by scale, and hippos are rightly feared for their aggression, lions may actually be the most dangerous animals in Africa when you look at the risk posed by each one individually.
Human Deaths per 1,000 Animals in Africa
Species | Population | Annual Deaths | Deaths/1000 Animals |
Mosquitos | 1,000,000,000,000 | 600000 | 0.0006 |
Snakes | 10,000,000 | 25000 | 2.5 |
Nile Crocodiles | 375,000 | 650 | 1.73 |
African Buffalo | 500,000 | 200 | 0.40 |
African Lions | 22,000 | 100 | 4.55 |
African Elephants | 400,000 | 500 | 1.25 |
Hippopotamus | 130,000 | 500 | 3.85 |
Note: These numbers are very approximate. Accurate population and fatality data for wild animals is difficult to obtain and often varies between sources. This table should be viewed as a general estimation, not an exact measurement.
Mosquitoes – Africa’s Smallest and Deadliest Killer
As tiny as they are, mosquitoes are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year in Africa. They carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, with malaria being the most widespread and deadly. Children under five are especially at risk. Preventive measures such as mosquito nets, repellents and medicines have saved millions of lives, but mosquitoes remain the most dangerous animals on the continent. Their impact is measured not by size or strength, but by the scale of suffering they cause.
Population: Wild estimation: 1,000,000,000,000 Annual human deaths: 600,000 Human deaths per 1000 mosquitos: 0.0006
Snakes – Silent and Often Overlooked Killers
Snakes are among the most dangerous animals in Africa, responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year. Many bites happen in rural areas where people walk barefoot, work in fields or sleep without protection. The black mamba, puff adder, and saw-scaled viper are especially deadly due to their potent venom and quick strikes. The real danger often comes from limited access to medical care and antivenom, which makes even treatable bites life-threatening. Despite causing far more deaths than lions or elephants, snakebite is often underestimated and remains one of Africa’s most neglected public health threats.
Population: Estimation 10.000,000 Annual human deaths: 25,000
Annual human deaths per 1000 snakes: 2.5
Hippopotamus – The Unexpected Killer
Hippos are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal. They may look calm and slow, but they are fast, aggressive and highly territorial, especially in water. A male hippo can weigh over 1,500 kilograms and run faster than a human over short distances. Their jaws are powerful enough to crush a boat or inflict fatal injuries. Most incidents happen when people unintentionally come too close to them near rivers or lakes.
Population: 130,000
Annual human deaths: 500
Annual human deaths per 1000 hippos: 3.85
Nile Crocodile – Silent and Deadly
Crocodiles are masters of stealth. They lurk just below the surface of rivers and lakes, waiting patiently. When the moment is right, they strike with shocking speed and force. The Nile crocodile is responsible for hundreds of attacks each year, many of them fatal. People living near water sources or crossing rivers in rudimentary boats are most at risk.
Population: 375,000
Annual human deaths: 650
Annual human deaths per 1000 crocodiles: 1.73
African Buffalo – The Black Death
The African Cape buffalo has earned the nickname "The Black Death" or "Widow Maker" for good reason. These animals are unpredictable and incredibly strong. If wounded or cornered, a buffalo will charge without hesitation. Their horns are powerful weapons, and they are known to ambush and attack hunters. In terms of temperament, they are one of the most dangerous animals to encounter on foot.
Population: 500,000
Annual human deaths: 200
Annual human deaths per 1000 buffalos: 0.4
Elephants – Giants With a Short Fuse
While elephants are often admired for their intelligence and grace, they can also be highly dangerous. When elephants feel threatened, especially if calves are nearby, they may charge with little warning. In some areas where elephant and human territories overlap, conflicts have led to deadly encounters. A full-grown bull elephant can cause massive destruction in a very short time.
Population: 400,000
Annual human deaths: 500
Annual human deaths per 1000 elephants: 1.25
Lions – The Iconic Predator
Lions are powerful and skilled hunters, but they usually avoid humans. However, in areas where natural prey is scarce or when a lion becomes injured or old, it may begin targeting easier prey including livestock or, rarely, people. Attacks are uncommon but do happen, especially in regions where people live close to lion territories. When they do occur, they are swift and often fatal.
Population: 22,000
Annual human deaths: 100
Annual human deaths per lion: 4.55
