African Big 5 Safaris
Remember, all our itineraries are totally flexible and can be changed to suit you.
Experience Big Five Safari In Africa
The Big Five—the Lion, Leopard, Cape buffalo, Elephant, and Rhino—remain the most sought-after wildlife during game viewing drives in the top African safari parks.
Experience an exciting and captivating Big 5 safari in Africa on a classic wildlife tour that takes you deep into the wondrous worlds of elephants, lion, rhino, leopard, and buffalos. Hop onto your 4×4 African safari vehicle and let’s take you on an unmatched safari experience which will see us visit some of the best places to see the Big 5 on safari in Africa, in their natural habitat. The thrill of seeing an iconic member of the Big 5 is always a highlight for any safari enthusiast, especially if this is your first safari.
Kenya has answered that call with one of the greatest natural shows on earth – the annual Wildebeest Migration of hundreds of thousands of Wildebeest, Topi’s and Zebra crossing the Masai Mara’s rolling grasslands from Serengeti.
From Kenya’s Masai Mara Park, its wildlife conservancies to the vast plains of Tanzania, a Big 5 safari is an adventure like no other. If you’re planning one here, this are the best options for a memorable safari tour.
Best Big 5 Africa Safari Tours
Ready To Plan Your Big 5 Africa Safari?
Browse our selection of Big 5 safari tours below. Or, get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make your one-of-a-kind Big 5 safari in Africa:
9 Days | 8 Nights
6 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photographic Safaris
7 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photo Tour
8 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photography Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
What are the Big 5 Animals In Kenya?
The Big 5 safari animals are synonymous with African wildlife and represent the continent’s rich and diverse natural heritage. Originally named by hunters due to the difficulty of hunting them on foot, these animals are critical in the world of conservation and tourism. Each species symbolises unique characteristics and behaviours that have attracted people worldwide, making them the must-see animals on any African safari. What are Africa’s Big 5? Let’s explore:
1. The Lion - “Unmatched Courage & Strength.”
Lions hold a special place as apex predators. This dominance glues their status as the king of the jungle, displaying a supreme attitude.
In the wild, their powerful physique and strategic hunting skills ensure they sit unchallenged at the top of the food chain. Lions stand their ground, preferring to face their supposed challenger than to run and hide, showing confidence, a symbol of strength not just in body, but also in spirit; part of why lions have been associated with leadership and power in the animal kingdom.
Lion
2. The Leopard - “Ghosts Of the Forest.”
Known for their stealth, strength, and adaptability, leopards kill more than we think. Leopards are masters of stealth, often referred to as the “ghosts of the forest.” Their ability to move silently allows them to stalk prey undetected, making them formidable hunters. As nocturnal animals, they are primarily active at night, using their keen senses of sight and hearing to track down prey with unmatched precision. The leopard’s hunting technique is to either ambush its prey or to stalk it, a combination of stealth and sensory awareness is what makes leopards such successful predators in the wild.
Leopard
3. The Cape Buffalo - “The Aggressive Bunch.”
The Cape Buffalo’s most characteristic feature is their horns. Both males and females have heavy, ridged horns that can grow to impressive sizes. The horns are formidable weapons against predators and jostling for dominance within the herd, they play a dangerous game. The African buffaloes are the most dangerous animals due to their physical size, aggressive nature, and formidable horns.
Buffalo
4. The African Elephant - “It Never Forgets.”
Given that Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breathe like a snorkel in deep water; they are also quite smart, and when faced with something or someone that does not intend them harm they are gentle and peaceful. A herd of elephants is led by their mother, an older female (the matriarch)… When a group of elephants is travelling, the matriarch always takes the lead and directs the rest of the herd.
African Elephant
5. The Rhino - “The Special One.”
The rarest of The Big Five is the rhino. Divided into two, the black and white rhino’s; rhinos are large (the second-largest land animal in the world, next to elephants) but quick, nearly as fast as the leopard when charging, and because of their elusive nature, they are quite a treat to photograph in your Canon while on one of our African photo safaris.
Rhino
Best Places To Go On A Big 5 Safari
Members of the Big 5 are found in different concentrations across Africa. If you want the best chance of seeing them all on a single safari – sometimes, if you’re really lucky on a single game drive or in a single day – then head to the following places: