The “Big 5” safari animals

The Big 5 are the most popular animals that those booking an African Safari want to encounter. While there are many more animals and birds to find on safari the African elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, black rhino and leopard are top of many lists.

what are the Big 5 in safari?

The term ‘Big 5’ was first introduced in the late 1800s by big-game hunters to refer to the creatures that were the hardest to hunt on foot, but over time this has evolved to describe the big game that many photographers and tourists aim to see on their safari trips. Whether you choose a safari holiday with Naturetrek, an expedition into the Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda or a small intimate hike into the Kalahari in Botswana, you will hope to see some if not all of the big 5.

Big 5 and conservation

The big 5 today are more of a target for safari travellers and the move from trophy hunting to tourism has meant that they are now protected in National Parks and game reserves where the focus is moving towards conservation, sustainability and photography.

All of the species on the Big 5 list are decreasing in population. This is mainly due to the loss of habitat and the encroachment of villages and towns into their landscape. Choosing an ethical and sustainably focused safari company is becoming more important than ever before.

Where can you find the Big 5 on safari?

The Big 5 can be found across southern Africa with wildlife being found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The Big 5

Lion

The African lion (Panthera leo) is the largest of the cats found in Africa weighing up to 225kg. They live in groups called prides with up to 40 lions. This includes males and females as well as young cubs. Lions are very territorial and do not stray far from their home range.

The lion is an apex predator and will hunt larger animals including buffalo, zebra, giraffe, antelope and rhino. The females do most of the hunting but will share with the males of the pride.

They prefer grassland and savanna as well as woodland. The best places to see them are Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Okavango Delta in Botswana and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania.

African elephant

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest and heaviest land animal in the world, weighing around 6000kg. They are best known for their long dexterous trunk and large ears. Their large ears cool the body when flapped. They have elongated incisors that form their large tusks and are sought after by poachers.

Elephants are herbivores that need to eat up to 160kg of plants each day. Their diet includes grasses, leaves from bushes, fruits, tree bark and roots.

Mothers and young elephants tend to live in herds which are often seen around deltas and waterholes while the bull elephants are more solitary, often spending time with other males in smaller groups.

The best places to see African elephants are Addo Elephant Park in South Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana, Etosha National Park in Namibia and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

Cape Buffalo

The cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) can be found in herds grazing across the grasslands wherever there is easy access to water. These are unpredictable animals and when alarmed can stampede making them dangerous. When not alarmed they are docile and the herd will be content to graze.

They eat a range of leaves and grasses that are native to the savanna and floodplains and they will have an area that they will cover. The size of the area will be determined by the herd size and availability of water and food.

The best places to see cape buffalo are Chobe National Park in Botswana, Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia.

Black rhino

While the black rhino is on the list, there are two species of rhino in southern Africa, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum). Both have been hunted to the edge of extinction making them the hardest of the Big Five to find. The white rhino has seen an increase in numbers through conservation programmes but the black rhino is still endangered.

The main difference between the two species is the size and shape of the mouth. The white rhino has a wide, flat mouth and its name is derived from the Afrikaans word ‘wijd’ which means ‘wide’.

The rhino is a herbivore and will eat a range of twigs, grasses, leaves and fruits that can be found in the rainforests, grassy plains and swamps where they make their home.

The best places to find the rhinoceros in Africa are Etosha National Park in Namibia, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Kruger National Park in South Africa and Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. They can also be found throughout Asia.

Leopard

Leopards are slightly smaller than the more obvious lions. Their camouflage and nocturnal habits mean that they are often harder to find during daylight hours. The leopard is solitary and will only be seen with another adult during the breeding season and a female with her cubs.

The leopard is a carnivore and will hunt much larger prey including jackals, eland, wildebeest and antelope. They will often hunt at night and take the prey up into the trees to eat away from prying eyes.

Leopards can be found in more places than other big cats and are found outside of the national parks, unlike other members of the Big Five list. They are best seen in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya and Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana as well as Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

What are The Big 6?

The list of wildlife to encounter on safari is endless and most people who head out on safari want to see more than the Big 5. For many people, the giraffe should be included in the list. This elegant mammal for many is symbolic of safari and they are certainly one of the more unique animals that people hope to find on their safari trip.

What are the small 5 in Africa?

While everyone knows about the ‘Big Five’, the small five or little five are much smaller creatures that share their name with the Big 5. These are found across the National Parks and are in some ways much harder to find, giving a much bigger sense of achievement when you encounter them. The small five are the elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle.

Who are the ugly 5 of Africa?

Remember that everyone is beautiful in their own way! However, there are some African animals that have a long way to go to be beautiful. The ugly 5 of Africa are the warthog, wildebeest, vulture, marabou stork and the hyena. These are found all over southern Africa and are probably some of the most common

What is the Shy 5 of Africa?

This small group of animals are the shy animals as sightings are rare and many people will go on safari and never encounter them. The list includes the porcupine, bat-eared fox, aardvark, meerkat and the aardwolf. Four of the five are nocturnal meaning encounters are even more unlikely. the best places to see these five animals are Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and Samara Game Reserve in South Africa.