The holy grail of the African wilderness. Initially coined by big game hunters and later adopted by safari tour operators, the phrase refers to the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size, the Big 5 can be found in many parts of the African continent, including Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. Sighting all of the Big 5 is a badge of honour among visitors to Africa’s game reserves, and there is nothing quite like experiencing the majesty and power of these sizeable creatures in their natural environment. Sighting a leopard in a tree, witnessing a herd of elephant roaming the plains or a pride of lion surrounding a fresh kill are all experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. You’ll never forget the first time you see a full-grown rhinoceros in the flesh or a herd of powerful Cape buffalo. The Big 5 remain an iconic African experience, and thousands of travellers from around the world can attest to that.
