Big 5 Safaris
Lions, leopard, cape buffalo, elephant and black rhino making up the Big Five remain the most sought-after animals. These animals are the most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot, these are elusive, fast and dangerous. Each of these animals has its own right, earned it place of this list of the most coveted safari sightings.
The big 5 derive their name from the historical times due to the difficulty in hunting them, now these animals are a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast.
Why are these animals called the Big Five animals?
The Big Five game refers to the 5 African animals that big game hunters in the 1800s, during Africa’s colonial period, considered the most difficult wild animals to track and hunt on foot. Hunting these African game animals got them the biggest prices and trophies. These animals are dangerous because of their behavior when they feel threatened or get injured. Sadly, these animals are still hunted today but luckily there are also conservation intiatives to protect these threatened species.
List of The Big 5 Safaris
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African Elephant: a gentle giant
The African savannah elephant is the largest land mammal in the world and can reach up to 3 meters in height and can weight up to 7 tons. The African forest elephant is 3 feet shorter. Elephants live in a herd that is led by the matriarch female.
They have the ability to communicate across a large distance at a very low frequency through their feet and soil that cannot be heard by humans.
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Rhino – The most endangered species of the Big 5
Rhino also known as “Rhinoceros” is the most endangered species of the Big Five due to rhino poaching and illegal trade in rhino horns. There are two species of rhino in Africa that the White Rhino and the Black Rhino and five subspecies.
Their names have nothing to do with color as both species are grey. The name of the white rhino is a corruption of the Dutch word “wijd” (wide) referring to the wide mouth or square lio of the white rhino.
A rhino can weigh up to 5000 pounds and its horns can grow up to 5 feet long. Rhinos have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell.
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African Lion – Courageous King of the Jungle
An African Lion is the largest predator on land, they prey on zebras, impalas, giraffes and other herbivores like wildebeests. Lions live in groups called prides and males are easily distinguished from females because of their large manes. The darker the lion’s manes, the older he is.
Sometimes, a male lion is referred to as the king, but in reality, lions don’t have a permanent social hierarchy. The dominant male in a lion pride can change at any time. The females hold the territory and stay with the pride in which they were born. Also, they do most of the hunting and take care of the cubs. Lions use their roar as a form of communication and be heard up to 5 miles away.
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The African Leopard
The African leopard is the most solitary and elusive animals of the African Big 5, they stay hidden during day. They are also the least seen of the Big 5 and on most occasions found alone. They are nocturnal and mainly hunts at night. Zebras and antelopes like Thomson gazelles are the main prey to leopards and they normally hide their prey in a tree to prevent other predators like lions and hyenas from stealing it.
Lion and leopard belong to the African big cats, but they don’t get along as a lion will kill a leopard if it has the chance. Leopards are good swimmers and occasionally eat fish.
The elusive leopards
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The African buffalo
African buffaloes are very territorial and protective and are probably the most dangerous member of the big five to humans. In case a buffalo feels threatened it can become very aggressive and charge with astonishing speed.
Buffaloes are mostly found in groups and large herds and spend a lot of their time grazing. Both male and female buffaloes have horns, but male and female buffaloes have horns, but the male’s horn curve and come together in the center, forming a big bony plate called a boss.
Lions are the primary of the buffalo and they will try to protect and rescue another member of the herd and in many instances they have been seen killing a lion after the lion had killed a member of the group. Although the African buffalo and water buffalo have cunning resemblance, they are not closely related.
Where to go on a Big 5 Safari
These countries to see all the big five on a safari in East Africa are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
In Uganda, you cannot see the big five in the wild, but you have a chance of seeing all the Big 5 when you visit them up close at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where they roam freely but are protected by a 24/7 ranger team.
