The Big Five Safaris

Explore the “big five” on your next East African Safari to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda guided by Superfine Safaris Limited. The Big Five are among the most sought-after wildlife by all travelers on classic game safaris in East Africa. Unlike in ancient times when the animals were named the big five due to the difficulty associated with hunting them, the big five are now rated the most desirable wild animals to see on a game safari.  The present cameras used by clients on game safaris have replaced the ancient guns that hunters used to hunt down these animals.

A game safari missing the big five is undeniably boring and incomplete.  The big five include the African buffalo, Lions, African elephants, Rhinocerous, and leopards. Below are more details about each animal in the “Big five” camp

The Big Five

The African Elephants

Also known as the largest land mammal in the wild, an African Elephant is an amazing animal you must not miss on your game safari in East Africa. African elephants are also known as the most intelligent wild animals and have social behaviors. The Elephants are categorized into the African savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana)   and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis).  The common species are the Savannah Elephants, which are always seen on guided game drives. However, they are endangered animals that could become extinct if they are not well conserved. The African Forest Elephants are critically endangered and not very common

Regarding the size, elephants are large mammals and the adult male can weigh up to 6800 kilograms.

Other physical characteristics of elephants include the trunk, the fan-shaped ears, and tusks

Elephants live in large groups called herds

The Lions (Panthera Leo)

Scientifically called the Panthera Leo, lions are another interesting member of the “big five”. The lions are among the big cats in the wild and are referred to as “Kings of the Jungle.” Lions are the only social cats that live together in groups called prides.  Lionesses in the pride raise their cubs communally. All females take part in raising the little ones, and a cub can even suckle the breast of another lioness not necessarily its mother.

Roaring is the form of communication in Lions.  Thy roar to communicate with each other, while the adult Lions roar when they sense danger. You can hear a lion’s roar from as far as 8 kilometers away

Lions are hunters who feed, stalk, and ambush their prey. Adult females are leaders in hunting and they cooperatively hunt as a group. They normally feed on animals such as kobs, waterbuck, zebras, and other small and medium-sized animals

Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis and Ceratotherium simum)

Rhinos are the rarest and critically endangered mammals among the big five.  Rhinos are divided into five species, but only two are found in Africa. The common animals to see on your East African safari are the white rhinos, which are mainly grazers seen in the savannah parks of  Kenya, Tanzania, and Akagera National Park in Rwanda. In Uganda, rhinos are only seen at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District en route to Murchison Falls National Park. The Rhinos are known to have very poor sight and only rely on the nose to smell the threats around them. Also, rhinos have horns which grow over time just like human hair. Also, Rhinos love to wallow in the mud or grass to protect their soft skin from direct sunlight.  These herbivorous animals are largely threatened by poaching and habitat loss.

African Buffaloes Syncerus Caffer)

The African buffalo is one of the most powerful and common members of the Big Five in the world.  The mammals comprise two subspecies, which include the s cape buffalo and the African Forest Buffalo. The cape buffalo is the common species mostly seen on the game drives in the savannah parks of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The buffalo is one of the most dangerous wild animals in the wild and travelers are warned to be cautious around them. The distinctive fused horns are a common feature of the African buffalo. Interestingly, the African buffalo can live in different habitats, which include grasslands, woodlands, swamps, forests, and savannahs. The mammals are herbivores and great grazers

The Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Leopards are the most elusive among the big five and you won’t miss them on your next East African safari.  Also, Leopards are great and strong hunters who normally hunt from down and carry their prey up in the trees. The dark coat with irregular rosettes makes the leopard camouflaged to easily catch the prey

Also, leopards are solitary cats that are so active at night.  The big cats are so fast and can run for 50 kilometers per hour

Best places to see Big Five in East Africa

For best views of the Big Five in East Africa, the following destinations are highly recommended. These are some parks in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania with the best views of the big five in East Africa

Masai Mara National Reserve

Located in south-western Kenya, the Masaai Mara National Reserve is one of the best places to see the Big Five in East Africa. The reserve is also famous for the great wildebeest migration from July to October. Day and night game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve is a great chance to see the big five.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s popular tourism destinations, located in northwestern Tanzania on the border with Kenya. The park is a big spot for the big five and other wild animals. Wildebeest migration is one of the highlights of Tanzania safaris in the Serengeti National Park. A full-day game drive in the park offers you great chances of seeing various wild animals grazing, hunting, and browsing

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in Rwanda, a home to the big five and other savannah animals. The park is located in Eastern Rwanda and is a good complement to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda is home to the big four and a must-visit on your Uganda safari.  En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for rhino tracking, and make your safari to Murchison Falls Park complete

How to book a safari to see the Big Five

Superfine Safaris Limited is your reliable travel agency for seeing the big five in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. We customize your favorite trip, offering you the best of game life at affordable rates