Sun Destinations

In this month of love, we are embracing all the ways that you can love and be loved. Even in the animal kingdom, different species have different ways of showing affection to their loved ones. Using the concept of The 5 Love Languages as developed by Dr. Gary Chapman in 1992, we have highlighted five animals found in Southern Africa that embody the different love languages. 

Chapman theorised that we respond differently to giving and receiving love, and that understanding our own and our loved ones’ love languages will lead to better harmony in relationships. The five love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch.

1. Words of affirmation

In the animal kingdom, the Southern Ground Hornbill is known for its deep, sultry duets. These beautiful red-faced birds conduct synchronised musical arrangements with their mates and family groups to reinforce bonds and declare territory. 

Often listed as one of the ‘Big 6’ Birdlife in the Kruger, the Southern Ground Hornbill was declared as endangered in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. Their numbers have been declining due to slow reproductive rates, habitat destruction, persecution, cultural beliefs, and other factors. 

But when it comes to love, the Southern Ground Hornbill’s synchronised vocalisations can be seen as public declarations of loyalty and love, just as words of affirmation.

2. Acts of service

Despite their ferocious reputations, the African Lion shows love by performing acts of service for their mates and members of their pride. Each lion has their role to play in the pride; they depict love through teamwork. 

Male lions work together to defend their territory and protect their pride. They form coalitions with other males and take their role as guardians seriously. The lionesses hunt together to feed everyone; they protect the cubs and nurse each other’s young. This is a depiction of what love in action looks like. They support each other, thus creating a community that is in sync with itself.

3. Receiving gifts

When it comes to giving and receiving gifts, no one does it quite like the African Fish Eagle. Indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, the fish eagle is the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

When male African fish eagles are trying to impress females, they often present freshly caught fish to them (sometimes mid-air). This ritual takes place during the breeding season, and they are believed to mate for life. Nothing says ‘I love you and want to be with you’ like a well-caught fish.

4. Quality time

You can’t be closer than a family of elephants. When it comes to spending time together, the African Bush Elephant promotes community and connection in their kinship groups. The family groups led by a matriarch often stay together for life. Within these kinship groups, elephants travel together, forage, and even grieve in community with one another. 

Elephants are extremely social animals. They often are affectionate by touching trunks, rumbling softly to each other, and sometimes just standing close to one another in quiet companionship. For elephants, it is important to maintain mourning and memory rituals, and to spend time together to foster affection and loyalty.

5. Physical touch

You would think that their long neck might get in their way, but giraffes are surprisingly good at PDA. In order to reinforce connection, giraffes believe in physical closeness. Examples of this include mothers and calves who consistently nuzzle, lean against, and groom one another.

When a male giraffe is courting a female giraffe, he does so by licking a female’s tail, laying his head and neck on her body, or nudging her with his ossicones. Sound familiar? For giraffes, its always about touch.

Giraffes use their most distinguished feature – their necks to their advantage by using it as a way to get closer to the ones they love. 

Do you want to see these lovable animals up close? Visit one of Sun Destination’s properties and experience the beauty of the Greater Kruger and Botswana. Check out our camps and lodges at Sun Destinations