“Big Five” was a phrase first used to describe Africa’s five most challenging and treacherous animals to chase down by foot. This phrase has its roots in big-game hunting, featuring the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. Rather than size, the risk and difficulty tied to hunting these beasts shaped up this concept. Luckily, in our times, because of many years of hard work in protecting wildlife, the term ‘Big Five safaris’ has changed its meaning. No more does it mean hunting safaris. Rather, it gives everyone around the world an awesome chance to watch these majestic animals enjoying themselves in their own home.
Gradually, ‘Big Five’ became a buzzword for African wildlife tours, promoting safari trips. It’s surging in popularity among safari enthusiasts, ticking off the Big Five safari from their bucket list while exploring Africa’s wildlife sanctuaries.
The term’s exact origin isn’t clearly known, but it is closely connected to African safari hunting traditions from the early 1900s. This story tells you about Africa’s big five animals, along with fun facts and where to spot them. Do you know how many there are? Many new studies have some guesses which might help you know what animals you might see on an African safari tour.
This map reveals where you can find Africa’s famous Big Five animals—the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. It’s a cool picture guide that shows the spots these amazing animals call home. The different colours show how many of the Big Five you can find in each spot. Dark colours mean there’sthere are more of them.
Seeing all of Africa’s Big Five at once could be tricky. Each of them prefers different areas. While one nation might have all five types, the big groups are usually in separate spots. So, some creatures might be easy to see in some areas. Yet, others can be harder to find because there aren’t as many of them there.
Want to see all five native African species together? Remember, only specific places offer this experience. Consider these countries (order doesn’t matter): Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Malawi.
1.Lion
The lions are the first among the Big Five of Africa. They’re marked as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, which names endangered species. A study conducted by Oxford University in 2023 estimates about 20,000 to 25,000 wild lions in Africa. They are scattered across 25 different countries. Nearly half of these countries have less than 250 lions. Besides, eight countries have just one wild lion pride each.
Commonly known as the “King of Beasts” or “Jungle’s King”, the lion certainly ranks high among the most potent and coveted animals out there. It’s believed that African lions lean towards socializing more than any other large cats. You can spot them in groups called ‘prides’, casually roaming about.
A typical pride is made up of approximately 15 lions. Usually, it hosts just one or two males, and one of them is dominant. The rest of the pride encompasses lionesses and cubs of various ages. Lions can live around 15 years. Typically, you can guess a lion’s age by examining its mane. The darker the mane, the older the lion!
The lionesses in a pack are often tasked with hunting, typically active during the late evening, afternoon, or dawn. They mostly go after Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Buffalo, and occasionally, young elephants. It’s common to find lions in open grasslands, where their prey tend to gather due to ample pasture and sustained water supplies.
They populate the whole of Africa, yet it’s in Kruger National Park where they’re seen the most. This park hosts more than 1600 of them! Fun fact: the majority of them are found on the park’s east side.
Guess where the majority of lions live? Right, it’s Tanzania! The latest stats tell us they boast a massive lion clan of around 14,000. South Africa and Botswana each have about 3,000 of these majestic big cats. Kenya and Zambia? Well, they house roughly 2,500 each.
Guess where you’ll find the most lions? It’s Tanzania! It’s believed to have around 14,000 lions. That’s a lot, right? Now, if you look at South Africa and Botswana, each of them is home to around 3,000 lions. On the other hand, Kenya and Zambia aren’t far behind, with almost 2,500 lions each.
Looking for a trip where you can see lions up close in the wild? Consider safaris in Tanzania. There are so many tour companies that not only do you tour but also contribute to the majestic lion conservation programs.
2.Rhinoceros
Let’s talk about the Big Five, focusing on the rhinoceros. In Africa, we have three types: the black rhinos, the northern white rhinos, and finally, the southern white rhinos. But sadly, from 1960 to 1995, poaching drastically reduced their population by 98%. Fast-forward to 2023, guess what? Only 23,290 rhinos were left in Africa.
Most of Africa’s rhinos are southern white rhinos, accounting for over 70%. Despite this, they’re labeled “Near Threatened” on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. South Africa has the lion’s share with approximately 12,968. Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Botswana follow with 1,416, 873, 417, and 242 respectively. Other countries register less than 100.
The number of northern white rhinos was once critically low, almost wiped out. There were just two female rhinos left, constantly watched over by guards at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Yet, fast-forward to September 2023, and due to the crucial role played by the BioRescue Consortium, their count is now 29.
In Namibia, you can almost always spot Black rhinos. Just take a safari in the Etosha National Park. You’ll see black rhinos near the Okaukuejo watering hole inside the park! Apart from females and their little ones, Black Rhinos like to live solo. They’re night eaters, munching at both dusk and dawn. They get most of their food from tree and bush leaves and fruits.
You might find it intriguing that rhinos don’t have sharp eyesight. To compensate, they rely on their impressive smell and hearing. While their name might suggest a black colour, their real shades range from brown to grey. Originally from Eastern and Southern Africa, it’s sad to note that they remains among Africa’s most hunted species. They face the most risk among the Big Five animals.
Black rhinoceros, even though still counted as a critically endangered species, add up to almost 6,487. Conservation endeavours are helping, and their count is increasing. South Africa holds about 2,056 of these creatures. Namibia comes next with 2,196, Kenya holds 968, Zimbabwe has 616, and Tanzania, it’s 212.
3.Leopard
Leopards count among the famous African Big 5. An African leopard is a lone, private creature that prefers the night. Spotting it isn’t easy to because it enjoys its daytime rest, often in hidden spots. Therefore, among the Big Five animals you may see on safari, they’re often the most mysterious and unseen. Many claim that Africa is home to over 700,000 leopards. This number, however, has been contested by experts. Despite these discrepancies, the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species still classifies leopards as ‘Vulnerable.’ Their numbers in Africa have seen a drop between 48% and 67% in the last hundred years.
The biggest number of leopards call South Africa home. They mainly huddles in four spots. First, we have the edges of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. Next is inside the KwaZulu-Natal Province region. Our third spot is the interior areas of three provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West. Finally, there’s a northern zone. It includes the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and nearby parts of Northern Cape and North West Province.
Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are home to substantial leopard groups. However, these may dwindle as places they can live lessen. Egypt’s Elba National Park in North Africa holds just a tiny cluster of these majestic creatures.
Want to find a leopard? Try Zambia, especially South Luangwa National Park’s night safaris. This Zambian park, one of the rare ones offering night safaris, increases your chance of see these night-loving leopards.
These African beauties prefer rocky areas with thick bushes and river-woods. They’re quick to change, barely sticking around an area for over two-three days.
They adjust well, surviving despite losing their old home to growing human settlements.
Leopards are great climbers, and their patterned fur acts as amazing cover while hunting. These sneaky hunters often take their catch-up trees to keep them safe from animals like lions or hyenas.
An interesting fact is that these stunning creatures are also strong swimmers and sometimes munch on seafood like fish or crabs!
4.The Cape Buffalo
Let’s talk about the next Big Five creature, the buffalo. Did you know? The African Wildlife Foundation says Africa houses four buffalo species. What’s more, 75% of them now make their homes in safeguarded regions.
Even though there are around 400,000 in Africa, their count is falling. That’s why they have a “Near Threatened” status on ICUN’s Red List. Wondering where you can spot each species? Estimating their exact count is tricky, say the experts. However, according to ICUN’s study, they are commonly seen in certain areas.
1.Meet the Savanna Buffalo, also called the Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). Its claim to fame is as the most common subspecies and its wide distribution. It feels at home in diverse habitats and resides in several East and Southern African countries. Some of these countries are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique.
2. West African Savanna Buffalo, also known as Syncerus caffer braceros, has a significant presence in multiple countries. This includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Interestingly, the buffalo populations in these regions display different trends. Some areas report a decrease in numbers.
3. The Central African Savanna Buffalo (Syncerus caffer aequinoctialis) calls three main places home: the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. Unfortunately, various issues have seriously impacted the population in these regions.
4. Meet the Forest Buffalo, also known as Syncerus caffer nanus. It’s a smaller buffalo found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa. Counting their exact numbers is tough. Still, they’re quite popular in places like Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.
Among the five species mentioned, the Cape buffalo isn’t too familiar. Yet, they’re impressive due to their size, massive groups and horns. They’re often active day and night. Typically, they dedicate about 18 hours a day to search for food and wander in herds of even 500 buffalo. They might be spotted at Kruger National Park, but the top location to see buffalo is actually at Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda. Here, up to 4,000 buffalo congregate at once, offering an incredible view!
5.The African Elephant
Lastly, we have the African elephant, a member of the African Big 5. Known as a calm giant, it’s the biggest mammal on land. It is divided into two groups: Savannah and Forest Elephants, both African species. Based on 2016 figures, 415,428 of these creatures were counted, dwelling in African herds.
Around half of the African Savannah Elephants call the world’s biggest conservation region, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), home. This area covers several countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. KAZA carried out its first ever aerial survey in 2022. It had good news! Their count showed 227,900 elephants, up 7% since the last count in 2016.
When comparing African elephants to their family members in Asia, you’ll notice they’re noticeably bigger. They can reach a height of 13 feet (around four meters) and tip the scales at a whopping 14,000 lbs (or 6350 Kg). As the biggest land creature globally, these elephants roam throughout 37 nations in Africa. It’s interesting to note that there are two distinct types of African elephants: the savannah elephant and the forest elephant. Tragically, both species are heavily hunted by poachers.
Forest elephants are typically smaller, having round ears and tusks that point downwards. On the other hand, you’ll find Savannah elephants in Africa’s savannahs. Forest elephants live in the rainforests of Central and Western Africa.
They’re very social, able to chat over long distances with a low-frequency sound humans can’t hear. Fun fact: many plant types rely on their seeds being eaten and passed by elephants before they can grow! Around a third of West African forest trees owe their spread to elephants.
South Africa boasts a total wild population roughly landing at 44,326 in 2020. The Kruger National Park (KNP) leads the pack, holding around 31,527 elephants. The IUCN reports say the African Forest Elephants mostly stay in central Africa. Indeed, 72% of them dwell in Gabon and the Republic of Congo.
If you’re eager to see elephants up close, consider heading to Botswana. Frequently, visitors encounter them during safaris in Chobe National Park. Chobe is teeming with these majestic creatures, boasting an impressive population between 50,000 and 70,000 within its expansive borders.