Out of the many famous places and animals of Africa, none are quite as iconic as the Big Five. The Big Five got their name due to the danger of hunting them on foot. It includes elephants, rhino, buffalo, lions and leopards. Nowadays, their fame is tied to African safaris – but where should you go if you wish to tick off each sighting? Seeing all five in one safari requires a lot of luck, but is not out of reach. If you are crossing fingers for the full Big Five, here are some recommendations for higher chances of seeing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Kruger National Park
A name that many associate with lions, wild dogs and the Big Five, the Kruger National Park is a massive and densely populated wildlife location. This bushveld is well known for its frequent Big Five sightings, including elusive leopards. Because of this, the park is busy all year round, even in the off-season. Braving the crowds is well worth the effort, however. The Kruger is as reliable as it gets for amazing sightings on safari.
Ngorongoro Crater
This ecological masterpiece is well known for its dense wildlife and beautiful scenery. Bordering the Serengti, this caldera is one of the places you can find all 5 of the Big Five. Elephants and lions are plentiful in the basin, alongside buffalo who follow the hooves of the wildebeest. Leopards and rhino are rarer, with the crater housing the critically endangered black rhinoceros.
Moremi Game Reserve
It may not be labelled a national park, but it cannot go unmentioned in a list like this. In the heart of the Okavango Delta is a green and gold haven for elephants, hippo and lions. Moremi is the first and oldest reserve in the Delta. For both seasoned and first-time safari goers, this reserve is one of the most diverse destinations that frequently exceeds expectations. It’s size can make seeing all five of the Big Five more difficult, however it’s reliable sightings of elephant and many surprises make it an experience that rarely disappoints.
Addo Elephant National Park
The third largest national park in South Africa, Addo is well known for the animal in its name. Boasting around 600 elephants in its area, it also borders the ocean and is the only park to house Africa’s “Big Seven” (the other two animals being whale and great white sharks). Due to this, it also has the second largest breeding colony of African penguins. While it is not as wildlife dense as the other areas on this list, this special national park should not be discounted. It’s flatter shrubbery makes animal spotting easier and the lush vegetation is a scenic treat.
Masai Mara National Park
Returning to East Africa, Kenya’s Masai Mara is famous for being the other half of the Great Migration of wildebeest. Aside from that astonishing event, the park is home to a dense big cat population, including the special sightings of tree-climbing lions. Leopards are also frequently spotted lounging in the crook of trees. Elephants are common sights but the black rhino are a rare sighting, but not impossible.
