The Big Five

The goal of every safari-goer in Africa must be to see the Big 5. The Big 5 are elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard. To see all of these animals in one trip, let alone in one safari, requires a great deal of luck. You are likely to encounter an elephant or buffalo, but the other 3 animals are more difficult to spot.

The question of why these 5 animals are considered the Big 5 and not other animals like giraffe or hippo is quite simple to answer. The Big 5 originated from earlier times when hunting was still practiced. And the Big 5 are the most dangerous animals to hunt. The hippo is also dangerous, but it was not hunted because it spends most of its time in the water. How can you drag such a large and heavy animal out of the water if it is killed? That's why it is not included.

But I am one of the lucky ones who managed to see the Big 5 in one trip. And that on my first real trip to Africa. I have seen them all =)

The buffalo

The elephant

The rhinoceros

The lion

The leopard