Where to find the Big 5?

4 February 2015

The Big Five was a term originally coined by hunters for Africa’s most dangerous & elusive beasts. We’re pretty sure that capturing these animals on camera will be top of your list for reasons to visit the continent, and whether first time safari-goer or addicted game driver here are 15 trips where you can try your Big Five luck. Which ever tour you choose, we can guarantee that these magnificent African creatures will have you wanting to come back again and again!

Lion
Tanzania is said to house the world’s largest lion population. Oddly not scaredy cats when it comes to heights, Lake Manyara’s cubs might climb trees for fun, but you’ll often find the adults munching on their prey while enjoying the view. In Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park the lion sightings are off the safari scale. Luckily for you, we’ve added two days of game viewing in the national park to our 21-day East African Explorer. Alternatively, get in on the live lion action and book an optional night drive in the Kruger National Park. While there are no guarantees this is the optimum time to appreciate the raw nature of Africa.

Elephant
Botswana is known as the elephant capital of Africa, around 70,000 inhabiting Chobe National Park – the herds increasing in number over the dry season when they gather around the permanent waterholes. The Okavango Delta is yet another gentle giant hub, and as we’ve included more time at Nata on several of our small group safaris. Another added bonus, you can game drive poolside in this unfenced 16000 ha private conservancy. Zimbabwe’s Hwange also deserves a mention – the national park boasting elephants in droves.

Buffalo
The signposts may read Addo Elephant Park, but this wild locale is a bonafide buffalo magnet, these eyeballing mammoths best spied on South Africa’s Eastern Cape in the dry season. Watch them kick up the dust on our 8-day Coast To Cape Town small group safari. Buffalo also stomp across KwaZulu-Natal Province’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, walking safaris, and well hidden hides meaning you can spot the mammal from close quarters. For gargantuan size herds head to the Serengeti National Park during migration season, as at this time of year you might well see buffalo numbering in the thousands!

Rhino 
A conservation success story, Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park is home to large populations of both the black and white rhino and it’s the ideal place to get more intimately acquainted with nature on a walking safari. Also flying the flag for the rhino is the Kruger. A great spot to spy these two horned beasts, there are around 300 black rhino and over 3,000 white rhino in the national park. Rhino fans heading to Etosha won’t be disappointed either, the floodlit Okaukuejo Rest Camp, allowing for 24/7 game viewing – black rhinos paying regular visits after dark.

Leopard
The leopard is a master of stealth and the hardest of the Big Five to locate, but Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve is one of the top places to snap the ultimate wildlife shot. You can also marvel at the skillful hunter in the Acacia forests of the Samburu Game Reserve or head for Mara. When the annual migration is in full swing you’ll almost certainly up your chances of seeing one of Africa’s best-loved cats.

Difficulties choosing your tour? Please contact us and we will help you find the tour that is perfect for you!