Serengeti Big 5 are the most sought after animals in Serengeti National Park, that most travellers do look out for to see when on a Serengeti safari. The term Big 5 is derived from the early explorer and hunters who got hard time hunting down some animals in Tanzania and Africa. Long before the Serengeti National Park was gazetted as a national park of Tanzania, it was a hunting reserve for foreigners who settled here, especially hunting down lions, elephants and other big animals as well as other wild animals in Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti Big 5 include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. Due to over hunting in the days, elephants in Serengeti National Park decreased that they were rarely seen up until about 30 years ago when they were reintroduced un Serengeti national Park. Serengeti Big 5 animals are the most sought after animals in Serengeti National park for travellers after Tanzania wildlife safaris . Below are the various Serengeti Big 5 animals that travellers can see;

Lions

Lions in Serengeti National Park are recorded to be well over 65 in population. It is in Serengeti National Park that travellers can spot large rides of lions while on Tanzania safari tours. Lions can be seen in different parts of Serengeti National Park, especially in the Seronera Area which has a high concentration of animals that lions prey on.

Lions in Serengeti National Park can also be easily seen in kopjes standing majestically, or lying in wait for their unsuspecting prey. Lions use kopjes as resting grounds as well, away from intrusions from other animals.

Of recent, it is possible to see tree climbing lions in Serengeti national Park, for not long ago did travellers spot a large pride of lions resting up the acacia trees.

Serengeti Big 5
lions in Serengeti National Park

Elephants

Historically, Serengeti national Park did not have elephants, not until about 30 years ago when they were seen in the park. Elephants are now very common sights in Serengeti national Park that travellers can easily spot whilst on game drives in Serengeti National Park irrespective of the time of the day. Elephants are social animals, living in herds of about 2 to 20 individuals. Travellers can easily see herds of elephants in Serengeti National park, especially seen in big numbers around the Seronera River and large number of herds easily seen on Turner 4 and Turner 2, during your game drives in Serengeti National Park.

Buffalos

Buffalos are also social animals, living in groups of even up to 100mindividulas. The Masai people call the buffalos wild bulls, and are one of the most commonly seen Serengeti Big 5 animals. There are over 30000 buffalos recorded in Serengeti National Park, making them one of the most commonly sighted animals in Serengeti national park. Though usually peaceful animals, buffalos especially lone ones are quite dangerous given they are usually chased from their group for different reasons say old age. Once you do encounter a lone buffalo in Serengeti National Park, be sure to be very cautious lest you are charged at.

Leopards

Leopards are one of the not-easily-seen animals in Serengeti National Park. Leopards in Serengeti National Park are very rare, but with the company of a skilled driver guide, you shall be able to spot them. During your game drives in Serengeti National Park, be sure to look up in the various acacia tree branches and sosage tree branches to spot them, as they tend to hide up there.

Serengeti Big 5
Serengeti Big 5

Rhinos

Rhinos are among the rarely seen Serengeti Big 5 animals that travellers need luck to see. Rhinos in Serengeti national Park can be seen in the northern part of Serengeti national Park just at the border with Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya. Most a times therefore, travellers tend to combine their Serengeti National park safari with a visit to Ngorongoro Conservation Area which has quite a considerable population of rhinos. If you however have time, with the help of an experienced Tanzania guide you can spot rhinos in Serengeti National park. Be sure to have yourself one for an opportunity to see the complete Serengeti big 5 animals.

The above are the various Serengeti Big 5 animals that travellers can see with Serengeti National park safaris. Apart from the Serengeti Big 5 animals however, there are other animals in Serengeti National park that travellers can spot including wildebeests gazelles, zebras, bushbucks, hyenas, cheetahs, mong so many others.

Looking to encounter the Serengeti Big 5? Get in touch with a reputable company to help you pitch together an amazing Serengeti National park safari, and you shall be rewarded with one of the best Africa safari experiences.

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