Buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino. This is the “Big Five”, which were initially the five most wanted trophies for hunters, but now are some of the animals most sought after by people on safari in Africa. Here is a list of which parks host the Big Five.
Of course, just because a reserve does not have the Big Five does not mean it’s going to give you a lesser safari experience. Some of our favourite reserves don’t have all five animals.
The so-called “Little Five” are the Buffalo Weaver, Elephant shrew, Ant-Lion, Leopard Tortoise and Rhinoceros Beetle.
Botswana : Moremi Game Reserve
Kenya : Masai Mara - Lewa Wildlife Conservancy - Tsavo NP - Aberdare NP - Mount Kenya NP
South Africa : Kruger - Shamwari - Amakhala - Addo - Madikwe - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi - Phinda Private Game Reserve
Tanzania : Serengeti NP - Selous Game Reserve - Ngorongoro Crater