The Big Five
Spot some of nature’s most impressive beasts on a Big 5 safari
When choosing a safari holiday, the term the ‘Big Five’ will often crop up and refers to some of Africa’s most popular wildlife, the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.
The phrase itself was coined by African hunters and refers to the five most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Of course, Big Five safaris are in no way associated with the unethical act of trophy/canned hunting (banned completely in Kenya and increasingly so in other areas of Africa) but the term is still used by most guides and tourists as an easy term to encapsulate the must see animals.
The Big Five can be found together in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana, though obviously not in all parks so do make sure you research thoroughly to avoid any disappointment. African wildlife species are each incredible in their own way.
Our advice would be: don’t speed past an elegant giraffe or beautiful cheetah to seek out an elephant just because it’s on your Big Five check list.
The Big Five Safaris
Safari experiences
Great migration safaris
This annual cycle sees over one million wildebeest and other grazing herbivores journey 1800 miles from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara.
Read moreBig Five safaris
The Big Five refers to Africa’s most dangerous animals: the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhino.
Read moreElephant experiences
There’s something special about these gentle giants. Spot huge herds on safari, or visit the remarkable Daphne Sheldrick elephant orphanage.
Read moreGorilla trekking
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Welcome to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Read moreChimpanzee trekking
Spend time with chimpanzees in the mountainous Nyungwe Forest as they feed, play and swing through the vines.
Read moreSafaris over water
Travelling by boat or being ‘poled’ in a traditional mokoro offers a completely different safari experience from a 4x4 game drive.
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Safari brochures
Our Africa brochure is a collection of iconic and authentic tailor-made holidays throughout Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Our dedicated escorted touring brochure features a collection of small group safaris throughout Kenya and Tanzania.
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