Big 5 Safaris

Witness the Big 5 on an Africa Safari Vacation.
If there’s one thing Africa does better than anywhere else, it’s wildlife. There are a few wildlife experiences that can beat the thrill of a face-to-face encounter with a member of Africa’s Big 5. Traditionally, those animals pose the greatest danger to their hunters, the Big 5 – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. They are still commonly found throughout Southern and East Africa. Their collective presence in a national park or game reserve adds an exhilarating edge to your safari experience.

Our Big 5 safari destinations range widely, and we advise planning carefully with your safari expert to ensure your expectations are met. Safari first-timers would do well to choose Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater or private Kruger reserves such as the Sabi Sands, which deliver virtually faultless Big 5 safaris where you’re more than likely to tick off each of the Big 5 after a couple of game drives.

For something wilder and more remote, Zambia’s South Luangwa is not only known as the birthplace of walking safaris but also for its intense concentration of big game, including an abundance of four of the Big 5 – don’t expect to see rhino. The same is true of the wetlands and grassy plains of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve: consistently good leopard sightings, big herds of elephants, lions, cheetah, and packs of wild dogs, although once again no rhino.

We know how important it is to see Africa’s signature animals, so we recommend Big 5 tours and safaris. You have a good chance of seeing Africa’s Big 5 with us. We also know where to go and at what time of year: Botswana’s Chobe River during the dry season for example sees concentrations of elephants and buffalo that are hard to comprehend, we can tell you the top destinations to see rhino and leopard, or the best time to go on a Serengeti safari to catch the huge herds of migrating wildebeest with big cats hot on their hooves.

Browse our Big 5 safaris and choose the right one for you. Alternatively, contact our Africa safari experts for assistance with planning a tailor-made vacation.