If you’ve gone on an African safari, chances are you’ve heard of the Big Five, the must-see list of iconic megafauna.
These animals are still hunted today, but a shift toward tourism has also made seeing the Big Five an “awe-inspiring” goal for any safari-goer
Lion
The African Lion is the second largest cat in the world the Tiger being the largest. Lion’s are social and live in groups called a Pride.A Lion’s roar can be heard as far a way as 8 km. A prides territory can extend as far as 260 square kilometers.The thick mane of a male Lion safeguards them from fights. Female Lions primary job is to hunt and care for their young. Being smaller and slower they hunt together contributing to their successful rates.
African Leopard
Are one of the African Big 5, they are primarily nocturnal animals. They are not social and prefer to live a solitary life. Agile and are superb swimmers. They can leap up to 6 meters, they will usually take their prey into trees where they are more protected from other predators. Leopards can run up to 57 km/h.
Gestation period of 90 to 105 days with a litter of 1 to 6 kittens. Cubs will suckle for 3 months and kept hidden for up to 8 weeks. Leopards have the largest territory of all the big cats.
African Elephant
Can live up to 70 years in the wild. They are the largest of all land mammals, and can spend up to 16 hours a day eating. They consume between 300 two 500 pounds of food per day. They have bad eyesight however the largest brains in the animal kingdom. Males will only leave the herd at the age of between 12 to 15 years.
Elephants can give birth every 3 to 4 years and the gestation period is 2 years
Rhino
The White Rhino or Square Lipped Rhino is the largest of the 5 Rhino species. The large square lipped mouth is used to graze. They are also the most social of all rhino species. Originally mistranslated from dutch to English the wide rhino was named white rhino. Commonly known as a crash of Rhino’s. Female become sexually mature at the age of 6 years. Males 10 to 12 years. Gestation of 16 months.
Buffalo
African Buffalo have incredible sense of smell compared to that of their eye sight and hearing abilities. Buffalo will travel through water due to the fact that Lion’s don’t like to get wet. When herds travel the younger or weaker will stay in the center of the herd as a protective measure. Buffalo are seriously aggressive if injured and hence the fact that they are one of the African Big 5.
Where Are the Best Places to See the Big 5?
- Chobe National Park in Botswana
- Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
- Amboseli National Park in Kenya
- Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa
- Etosha National Park in Namibia
- Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
- Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
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