The BIG 5
Many people travel to Africa to see the Big 5 – lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos. The term was derived from the fact that these animals were the most dangerous to hunt and thus sought after as trophies. Fortunately, these magnificent creatures are now more widely celebrated by visitors eager to photograph them as part of a photographic safari.
Tanzania BIG 5 Safaris
A Tanzania safari holiday is debatably one of Africa’s best destinations for a Big 5 safari experience, whether it is your first safari or you are a seasoned safari-goer. It is home to the world-famous Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the vast Selous game reserve, all of which are synonymous with some of the best safari experiences Africa has to offer.
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, and national parks and game reserves cover more than a quarter of its land area. These areas collectively conserve around 20% of Africa’s large mammal biomass, including a lion population three or four times larger than any other African country. While this article focuses on where and when to find these five unique animals, Tanzania is also home to one of the most spectacular wildlife spectacles on the planet, the Wildebeest Migration. During this year-round event, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and predators navigate the Serengeti’s vast plains.
Tanzania has so much more to offer visitors than just a wildlife safari. From the dizzying heights of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, to the depths of Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake. Following your safari adventure, the country has some of the most beautiful Indian Ocean coastlines and beaches to relax on, including the renowned islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
Where to see the BIG 5
Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa to see the African big five, which include African elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, rhinos, and leopards up close. These were the most dangerous animals for traditional hunters, and you can still see them in their natural habitat in Tanzania.
There are several countries in Africa where you can see the African Big Five, but Tanzania has the most incredible views. This is because Tanzania has the largest population of each of the big five and provides a suitable living environment for them.
The African big five are typically seen in Tanzania national parks such as Arusha, national park Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Tarangire National Park.