There are about 90 species of Papilionidae in Africa, including 37 in the genus Graphium. Some species e.g. angolanus, almansor, philonoe and leonidas are without tails, but in others such as kirbyi and policenes these are long and sword-like, hence the common name Swordtails is applied to these species. The wings of all Graphium species are dark brown, and marked with translucent turquoise, white or yellow "windows".

The beautiful wing pattern of Aphnaeus orcas, the well-developed "false-antennae" tails, and the forward-canted resting posture all contribute to creating the illusion that the butterfly is facing back-to-front. Insectivorous birds and reptiles try to anticipate the direction in which a butterfly will try to escape. Accordingly they aim their attack just ahead of what they believe to be the head of the insect, which makes it's escape in the opposite direction.

These beautiful butterflies fly close to the ground, zig-zagging and weaving their way through dense forest undergrowth with great adeptness, rarely sustaining any wing damage. They are strongly attracted to fallen fruits, particularly Ficus, and patrol back and forth along forest paths in search of them. It is not unusual for groups of up to 30 Euphaedra butterflies of various species to aggregate at such feeding sites.

The genus Charaxes contains 179 African species. Males of C. eupale are commonly found as singletons amidst mixed aggregations with other Charaxes species, imbibing fluids from carrion or dung. The butterflies have a serrated leading edge to the forewings, used to jostle and elbow other butterflies when feeding. The serrations also act to strengthen the wings, and in conjunction with powerful thoracic muscles provide the means to propel the butterflies with great speed and agility.

Mylothris butterflies have rounded wings, with a black apex on the upperside forewings, and on the underside. Both fore and hindwings have a row of prominent black submarginal spots. The ground colour varies from species to species. Some, such as croceus have a deep saffron-yellow ground colour, and others such as humbloti are greyish-buff. The majority however are white, but there is often a basal flush of bright yellow.

Charaxes pleione, and the similar paphianus ( which has a falcate apex and longer hindwing tail ) are a bright fiery orange-red on the upper surface. The butterflies are usually encountered singly or in two's and three's along sunny forest tracks. They often rest on the foliage of bushes, basking with wings held partly open. This species has a weaker flight than other Charaxes, but males nevertheless still move quite rapidly. Females have a more feeble, almost fluttery flight.