Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa? : A Big Five safari today offers the chance to observe five of the continent’s most spectacular and recognizable creatures in their natural habitat (leopards, buffaloes, elephants, lions, and rhinos). Everyone who is interested in wildlife safaris knows that the big five are among the animals they want to see. Big five safaris are more famous in Africa and there are more places and national parks where you can see these gorgeous and beautiful animals (leopards, buffaloes, elephants, lions, and rhinos).
Despite having wonderful tourist attractions like Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the stunning beaches of Zanzibar, Mozambique, and Kenya, as well as a fantastic and distinctive culture, Africa is more than that and is most renowned for being the ideal place to go on a Tanzania wildlife safari. When it comes to travel and tourism, Africa is most well-known for its wildlife safaris. When visiting Africa, the majority of tourists are interested in seeing the animals, and seeing the Big Five is undoubtedly one of everyone’s travel dreams. The Big 5 have come to be intimately linked with going on safari in Africa.
Have you ever wondered/ asked yourself where you may view big fives as they are on everyone’s travel dream while arranging an African safari tour? Most likely, yes. The most crucial thing you should be aware of when planning your African safari is where to view them, since this will enable you to reserve the precise location where you have a good chance of seeing them. So how do you know where to go in Africa to view big fives? You can choose and make reservations for an exact destination where you will have a good chance of seeing big fives by reading this post, which will explain and provide you with all the information about where you can view them in Africa.
There are numerous locations and safari destinations in Africa where you can go to observe the big five animals, including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. However, we’ve compiled a list of the top national parks and wildlife refuges in Africa that are home to all five of these amazing animals, as well as a ton of other big game and wildlife species.
Where to see five big animals in Africa? Here are the best 11 African safari destinations to see big fives on your African safari tour:
- Serengeti national park, Tanzania
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
- Masai Mara national reserve, Kenya
- Okavango Delta, Botswana
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
- Murchison falls National Park, Uganda
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda
- Serengeti National Park
The Great wildebeest Migration, the world’s greatest migration of terrestrial mammals, takes place in both Kenya’s Masai Mara and the famed Serengeti national park. Here, you can find all five of the Big Five, including elephants at the Mara River, cheetah on the Serengeti Plains, big cats in the Seronera, and a ton of large game along the Grumeti River.
The Ikorongo Game Reserve, Maasai traditional events in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, as well as the unsettling crimson waters of Lake Natron, are all nearby attractions in Serengeti.
- Chobe National Park
The biologically varied Chobe boasts some of the largest elephant herds in the world as well as one of Africa’s highest concentrations of game, including the Big Five. The park is especially well-known for its population of lions, which hunt without ears and have even been known to take down elephants as prey. In addition to lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, this area is home to more than 440 different bird species, the roan antelope, and the uncommon Oribi antelope.
- Masai Mara national reserve
Although Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara are both known for hosting the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, the Big Five also call the Masai Mara home. If you travel between June and October, you’ll have the chance to see both your favorite big fives and “the Greatest Show on Earth.”
The Masai Mara National Reserve is home to zebra, wildebeest, and the Big Five, in addition to impala, gazelle, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and bat-eared foxes. You can see hippos in the Mara and Talek rivers bathing in groups, and predatory crocs hiding in the water.
- Okavango Delta
The Okavango River, which is responsible for creating Botswana’s swampy Okavango Delta, evaporates when it reaches a geological trough rather than flowing into a sea or ocean. This location is a fascinating natural phenomenon and a great place to go on a Big Five safari in Africa. A recent episode of The Telegraph’s Greatest Travel Experiences series included a visit here, Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa?.
With their many water supplies and lush grazing areas, the wetlands serve as habitat for a wide variety of animals, including over 500 species of birds, 85 known species of fish, and a number of large game favorites. Watch out for the hippo, topi, giraffe, crocodiles, cheetah, hyena, kudu, antelope, zebra, warthog, baboon, and African wild dog in addition to the Big Five.
- Etosha National Park
Even though Namibia is known for its harsh yet stunning desert terrain, Etosha National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Africa’s Big Five. On afternoon wildlife drives, you can observe lions, leopards, and the highly endangered black and white rhinos coming to life as the sun sets. Observe herds of elephant and buffalo gathering to drink and swim in the waters of the Etosha waterhole.
Big game favorites like jackals, giraffes, and zebras can also be found in Etosha national park. You may experience this Big Five area with a self-drive safari and guided bush walks, offering you even more opportunities for wildlife viewing thanks to the great roads and carefully indicated paths.
- Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is a fantastic option for a Big 5 safari in Africa, whether you’re on a guided tour or driving on your own. The park is the size of a small nation, and the diversity of species it supports is a reflection of the wide range of environments it preserves. It might be a fun endeavor to identify every type of antelope in Kruger. Southern Kruger is one of the greatest sites to see white rhinos and is home to three of the Big 5: lion, buffalo, and elephant. If you have some free time and some luck, you might also see a leopard. If you want to enhance your chances of sighting this shy cat, which is active at night, be sure to be out and about at dawn and twilight.
When to go to Kruger national park: May through September are the ideal months to see wildlife in Kruger safari park. During the dry winter months, animals stay close to water sources like rivers and waterholes. The vegetation grows incredibly dense and it is difficult to see animals during the humid summer months,Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa?.
- Ngorongoro crater
Incredible wildlife watching is available at Ngorongoro Crater. Even while animals can enter and exit the crater, they often stay within because it takes some effort to scale the sheer caldera walls. This has a strong black rhino population. Although it’s uncommon to encounter these cautious animals in East Africa, the crater is one of the few locations where it’s simple to spot them. Even though leopard sightings are sporadic and less common inside the crater than on the wooded rim, the other four members of the Big 5 are abundant. The good news is that these secretive cats are relatively frequent in the Serengeti National Park’s Seronera region, which is typically the next stop on northern wildlife Tanzania safari itineraries following Ngorongoro.
Visit Ngorongoro Crater in the dry season when the grass is short and animals are easier to observe. Wildlife watching is good year-round in the crater. The wildebeest’s calving season lasts from January to February, and the low season months of April and May are the best times to visit to escape the crowds.
- Hwange National Park
For good reason, Zimbabwe has been highlighted as a destination to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet and National Geographic. Hwange national park, the largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe, is close to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders, making it a distinctive Big Five destination with the potential for waterfall activities. More than 100 different species of mammals can be found in the park, but its massive elephant population is its most notable feature.
The habitat, which spans 14,600 square kilometers and features a variety of wildlife watching opportunities, runs from desert scrub in the south to forests and woodlands in the north. To see the most big game, take advantage of walking safaris, day game drives, and night game drives.
- Mana Pools National Park.
The UNESCO-protected Mana Pools are one of Africa’s most well-known big fives safari destination. Here, the Zambezi River transforms into flood plains and fills lakes during the rainy season. Big game migrates towards shrinking lakes in search of water throughout the dry season, giving fantastic possibilities for wildlife viewing.
Due to the stunningly bright skies, you may go on canoe cruises down the Zambezi, walking safaris, hiking, game drives, birdwatching, and spectacular stargazing here. Discover herds of impala, zebra, waterbuck, and kudu while searching for the Big Five. Then, pursue the critically endangered African wild dog (also known as the painted dog or painted wolf), which was the subject of the BBC Earth and David Attenborough documentary series Dynasties.
- Murchison Falls National Park
In addition to its abundant species, Murchison Falls National Park is worth visiting for its breathtaking beauty. The Victoria Nile River divides it. Not to be missed is a boat ride to the base of the waterfall the park is named for. Numerous crocodiles and hippos reside in the river, and in the late afternoon, it’s possible to spot buffalo and elephants on the bank. Due to the absence of the rhino, Murchison Falls is not a Big 5 destination in its entirety, but many travelers stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary along the way for an exhilarating rhino tracking experience.
The best time to see Murchison Falls National Park is between December and February, but be aware that it will be hot during that period, Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa?.
- Akagera National Park
Although mountain gorillas are Rwanda’s most famous residents, the Big 5 and numerous other savannah-dwelling animals also call Rwanda home. In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the best location for a traditional safari. Warfare and poaching severely reduced the local wildlife population, but since 2010, it has made a remarkable recovery. After the reintroduction of lions and black rhinos in 2017, Akagera now provides a really off-the-beaten-path chance to witness all five of Africa’s big fives.
When to travel to Akagera national park? The best time to go is during the dry season, which lasts from June through September. Inside the park, there is a midrange lodge, a luxury tented camp, and a temporary jungle camp. Additionally, there are a few undeveloped campsites available for independent travelers, Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa?.
What Time of Year Is Best to See the Big 5 in Africa?
In Africa, the prime safari season lasts from around July through October. This occurs throughout the cold, dry winter on the continent. There are various factors that make them simpler to locate at certain times:
In contrast to the long, dense grass and heavy foliage of summer, the absence of rain causes the vegetation to dry out and thin, making it literally easier to see a rhino or buffalo. The leopard, in particular, which spends a lot of time in trees, will have fewer leaves in the winter, making it easier to see these elegant cats, Where is the Best Place to see the Big5 in Africa?.
The absence of rain also causes ponds, streams, puddles, and other minor waterways to dry up, which forces wildlife to gather around the surviving significant lakes and rivers. To avoid wandering too far from the scant remaining water, the majority of animals must drink each day. This is especially true of buffalo and elephant herds, which frequently travel to rivers that provide lilies, such as the Chobe at the boundary of Namibia and Botswana.
