The term “Big Five” doesn’t refer to the size of the animals. Instead, it was coined by hunters in the 19th and early 20th centuries to describe the five most challenging animals to hunt. Today, the term represents five iconic African animals that are now protected and photographed instead of hunted.
Meet the Big Five and Where to Find Them
Lion
Known as the ruler of the African savannah, the lion is a powerful predator at the top of the food chain. Lions live in social groups, typically led by a dominant male. You can spot them in most of Africa and parts of India. In Tanzania, you’re most likely to see them in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Leopard
The leopard is a solitary and elusive predator, often spending its days hidden in trees and hunting at dusk. Leopards inhabit Africa and Asia. In Tanzania, they are commonly seen in the Serengeti, where the open plains make them easier to spot.
Elephant
The largest land animal on Earth, elephants are easily recognizable by their massive ears, tusks, and trunks. They live in family groups led by the eldest female. Elephants are found across Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, with large populations in Tanzania’s national parks.
Rhino
Rhinos are the rarest of the Big Five due to extensive poaching for their horns, which are falsely believed to have medicinal properties. You can still find rhinos in select areas of southern Africa, with Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater being one of the best spots to see them.
Buffalo
Buffaloes are the most numerous of the Big Five, often seen in herds across the African plains. Watching a herd of buffaloes cross a river is a memorable sight. In Tanzania, they roam freely across all major national parks
Tanzania is one of the few African countries where the Big Five roam freely in vast, unfenced landscapes. Here’s where to find each member of the Big Five:
Lions & Leopards: Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Elephants & Buffaloes: All national parks in Tanzania
Rhinos: Serengeti National Park and especially Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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