Where to See the Big Five in Tanzania – a Detailed Guide
Tanzania is a famous East African safari destination known for its abundant wildlife, attracting most visitors yearly. The country receives millions of visitors annually thanks to its diverse culture, mesmerizing landscape and animals that inhabit it.
Any experience in Tanzania is unlike anything else to see the animals wandering freely in the wild, and to observe their lives up close.
Tanzania’s biodiversity stands out among others thanks to its variety of wildlife, flora and fauna, which range from small to big mammals, birds, flowers, insects, reptiles and so on.
So, what is the main focal point of Tanzania?, Almost all visitors who visit Tanzania want to see the Big Five. But where can you find the Big Five? Since the Big Five are always moving from one place to another, it can be quite hard to locate and see them in the wild. But the probability of seeing the Big 5 is high if you know where to look for them.
In this article we discuss where to see the Big Five in Tanzania so that you can be ready when you go on safari.
The Big Five – What are Those?
Originally, the term “The Big Five” referred to the five animals that were the most difficult to hunt, lion, leopards, rhinoceros, elephant and African buffalo. In past days, these five animals were considered to be dangerous, and hunters used their carcasses as a trophy. Now days, the term “The Big Five” is mostly used by safari-goers from around the world referring to five of the biggest mammals you can observe in the wild, while only taking shots with a camera.
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African Lion
Dubbed “The king of the jungle”, the African lion is the biggest, baddest apex predator of them all. Now, the most feared predator. In the past 20 years their population has shrunk to only 50 percent. The lions are listed as vulnerable on IUCN red list, and the current population is decreasing with about 20,000 lions left in Tanzania – the highest density in all of Africa. A fun fact about lions is that they are the only cats living in a group known as a “pride”.
A pride can consists of two or more lions (oftentimes more than 15 lions) with a small number of male lions and a big number of lionesses and cubs.
Usually the lioness is the one who goes hunting and is feeding the cubs. Lionesses hunt in a team to have the upper hand during the hunt, since their prey, such as zebras, wildebeest and antelope, are faster than the lioness. Only 20% of attempted hunts are successful. Male lions are guardians of pride, they mark the pride’s territory with their urine and prevent intruders from attacking the pride.
Where Can You Find them in Tanzania?
On a Tanzania Safari, you can find African lions in
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Nyerere National Park
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African Leopard
African leopard is the most elusive of all the big cats and is known for its amazing climbing skills, there strong shoulder bone supporting their muscles helps them climb a tree more easily than their cat relatives. They use this advantage when hunting, they stalk their prey from the top of the tree, and when the timing is right, it pounces and attacks (usually at night time). Sometimes, lions and hyenas participate in the hunt, complicating leopard hunting. Because of this reason, they tend to take their hunted prey to the top of the tree where other predators don’t reach.
There are nine leopard subspecies and each of them is subtly different. You can identify the differences by looking at the pattern in their skin. On the IUCN scale, leopards are classified as vulnerable.
Leopards are solitary animals, and you can spot them prowling at night if you go on a night safari. During the day, you usually find them up in the trees. If you are lucky you can see this stealthy “shadow hunter” on the safari.
Where Can you Find them in Tanzania?
Chances of sighting an African leopard is high when you visit the following Tanzania destinations on your safari tour.
- Serengeti National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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African Elephant
Seeing this gigantic mammal is sight to behold, they are more enormous than their Asian counterparts, whose ears are also a lot smaller. Unlike the lion and leopard, elephants are herbivores, and you can easily spot them in the plains of Tanzania.
Where Can you Find them in Tanzania?
The best places to see an African Elephant in Tanzania are
- Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Ruaha National Park
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African Rhinoceros
There are two types of rhinoceros in Africa, the white and black rhinoceros. The difference that sets these rhino apart is the structure of the lips and their horns. The black rhinoceros has a pointy upper lip, while white rhino have square lips.
The horns of black are close in length to one another, while the front horn of white rhino is much longer than the second. Rhinos are one of the animals that are prone to extinction due to poaching, the IUCN rates the rhinos “extremely endangered”. Just like elephants, African rhinos are also herbivores and depend on healthy vegetation.
Where Can you Find them in Tanzania?
The best places to see rhinos on a Tanzania safari are
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Mkomazi National Park
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African Buffalo
The African Buffalo is unique compared to its fellow Big Five, they may seem docile, but they will show their true face when you irritate them or pose a threat to them. It is considered to be the most difficult animal to hunt. Their arch enemy is the lion, add their fight is fascinating to watch. Lions employ tactics to bring down the buffalo, always trying to stay clear of their iron-hard horns.
African buffalo are herbivores and eat a big part of their body weight each day to maintain their muscle mass.
Where Can you Find them in Tanzania?
The best places to see African Buffaloes in Tanzania are
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Frequently Asked Questions about Where to See the “Big Five” in Tanzania
What is the best place to see the Big Five in Tanzania?
In Tanzania, the best places to see the Big Five are
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Ruaha National Park
- Tarangire National Park
What month is the best to see the Big Five in Tanzania?
The best time to visit Tanzania to see the Big Five is either the start of the year (January to February) or July to July.
Can you see the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area?
Since it is home to a healthy population of black rhino, Ngorongoro Conservation Area delivers a good chance of encountering the Big Five.
In conclusion: Tanzania is truly a place that every wildlife enthusiast should experience at least once in their life. Knowing where to find the Big Five in Tanzania will add to your experience.
