Where to See the Big Five in Africa

If seeing the Big Five is on the list of your Africa safari sightings, we list the best spots to see these iconic animals. The Big Five – lion, leopard, cape buffalo, rhinos and elephants, are the most iconic animals of African bush, and a sight of them is the centerpiece of any classic safari.

These animals were crowned “the Big 5” by hunter during the old hunting era, when these were the five most dangerous animals to track on foot. Today, they are five most dangerous animals to track on foot. The Big 5 are the undisputed super stars and reason why thousands of tourists set out eagerly on dawn and dust game viewing excursions.

Lion Pride

Kruger National Park & Private Reserves, Eastern Cape & Madikwe – South Africa

South Africa is a stronghold for the Big 5 and perhaps offers Africa’s most reliable Big 5 sightings in the private reserves that border the Kruger National Park, which is a famous Big Five destination itself.

The Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is exceptional with commonly sightings of leopards and generally, the reserve delivers all the Big 5 within a couple of days. The private game reserves in the Eastern Cape as well as the far northern Madikwe Private Game Reserve offers fantastically easy Big 5 game viewing in a malaria – free, family friendly environment though it should be noted that leopards are extremely elusive in these reserves.

Chobe National Park & Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

Though it might be a struggle to see a rhino in Botswana’s heavy weight safari destination, it is vital to know that the country boasts Africa’s largest elephant herds, massive numbers of buffalo and lion and healthy populations of leopard, you won’t probably might so much.

The Okavango Delta and the Savute region of the Chobe National Park offer excellent sightings of elephants, elephants and lion at any time of year, but Chobe River is at its elephant – packed best from August to late October.

The Okavango Delta is considered one of Nature’s masterpieces offering visitors an insight into one of Africa’s truly greatest wilderness. It is a World Heritage Site, vast and virtually untouched freshwater wetland lies at the heart of Botswana’s arid Kalahari Desert, yet supports an abundance of wildlife within a setting of dazzling natural beauty.

Chobe National Park is one of the best places to visit in Africa to witness the most dramatic predator action. Its Savuti region is where lions regularly clash with hyenas and powerful prides famously take down Africa’s biggest game like buffaloes, elephants and even giraffe.

The tuskers of Amboseli

Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve

Though all the attention focuses on the Great Wildebeest Migration, the fact is that the Masai Mara is a Big Five destination should not overlook. Masai Mara National Reserve and its neighboring conservancies are Kenya’s flagship conservation area and one of the top safari destinations in Africa. Its vast open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of wildlife including the Big Five – elephant, buffalo, zebras, lion and leopards as well as cheetahs, zebras and giraffes among others.

If you time your safari visit to coincide with the August to November migration, your chances of seeing lions on the hunt are high. Between August and November every year, the Mara is a much – welcome pit stop for unending masses of wildebeests that follow the rains on their death – defying, 29000 kilometer circular journey.

Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

The Serengeti’s vast open grasslands favor the grazing wildebeests and zebra herds more than elephants and rhinos but the sheer abundance of wildlife will more than make up for missing out on a member of the Big 5. With the Wildebeest Migration passing through the Serengeti from November to July, your chances of seeing a lion kill are high, and the lack of trees means that leopards are easier to see than you might think.

Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts and those interested in seeing the Big Five.

Etosha National Park – Namibia

Etosha National Park is Namibia’s flagship reserve, though it may lack the presence of buffalo (though they are in the nearby Waterberg Plateau and Caprivi Strip) but the abundance of elephant and lion more than makes up for it.

Etosha National Park is regarded by safari enthusiasts as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife, and is one of the easiest, safest and most rewarding big game destinations in Southern Africa. Also, the park is the best place in Africa to black rhinos, stake out waterholes at night and check them again during the day. Both lions and leopards often use them as ambush points.

Hwange & Mana Pools National Park – Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe as a safari destination is often overlook, however those who have visited the country hail it for its combination of authentic accommodation, friendly expert guides and uncrowded national park. Hwange National Park.

Hwange National Park is the most famous and biggest reserve in the country and home to about 30,000 elephants as well as other less-seen animals like bat-eared foxes, wild dogs, sable and roan antelopes and endangered black rhino. Also, the park is renowned for the superb Green Season bird watching – more than 400 species have been spotted.

Mana Pools National Park is another destination to visit in Zimbabwe to see the Big Five in Africa, the park lies on the Zambezi River, making water activities like canoe safaris and sunset boat cruise a major attraction. There are four pools and low visitor numbers, offer an intimate safari experience.