What are the Big 5 in Africa? The Big Five animals in Africa—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo—are the continent’s most iconic safari species, originally named for the difficulty and danger of hunting them on foot. Today, the Big Five animals in Africa represent the ultimate wildlife safari experience and are among the most sought-after sightings for travelers.
Did you know that the term "Big Five" came from hunters referring to the difficulty of hunting these five African beasts? Today, the term is considered the holy grail of African animals, and tourists flock from around the globe to get a glimpse of these impressive creatures. But why are they so impressive? Join Tanzania Safaris as we explore the behavior and characteristics of these animals and the places where they still roam the African bushveld.
Why Are They Called the Big Five?
The term “Big Five” was coined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by big-game hunters — not because these are the largest African animals, but because they were the five most difficult and dangerous to hunt on foot: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and African (Cape) buffalo. Today the phrase has been reclaimed by the safari and conservation world, and spotting all five is the classic goal of an African safari. In East Africa you can often tick off every member of the Big Five on a single Tanzania safari across the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
1. African Buffalo (Big Five Animal of Africa)
As the only Bovidae species in the "Big Five" group, it is easy to mistake the buffalo for the least dangerous when the opposite is true. The buffalo is the most aggressive animal roaming the African continent, which is why it is nicknamed "Black Death."
People misperceive this herbivore's true nature because of its domesticated cattle-like appearance, but do not mistake it; this grumpy and aggressive animal remains wild.
The African buffalo has short legs, stands 51-59 inches (130-150 cm) tall, and weighs 935-1,910 pounds (425-870 kg). The male buffalo (bull) outweighs the female (cow) by 220 pounds (100 kg), and you can easily distinguish it by its broader and thicker horns called a "Boss."
These beasts are herbivores that feed on grass and plants and often become prey to carnivores like lions. Their lifespan of 22 years in the wild is evidence that they are not easy animals to pin down. They inhabit coastal savannas, montane grasslands, and semi-arid bushland, preferably near water.
Between all the "Big Five," the African buffalo is the easiest to spot due to herd sizes of hundreds and even increasing to thousands when congregating in the Serengeti. Despite its frequent appearance, Tanzania Safaris still has a list of the best places to view this fantastic animal:
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Katavi National Park, Tanzania
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Lake Mnayara National Park, Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
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Kruger National Park, South Africa
2. Elephant (Big Five Animal in Africa)
Known as Africa's gentle giant, the elephant is the biggest land animal in the world. One such specimen, "Henry," is the largest recorded elephant.
He stood 13 feet (3,96 m) tall and weighed 24,000 pounds (10,886 kg). Henry roamed the bushveld of Angola until hunters shot him in 1959, and he now stands in the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History.
Henry was impressive but should not diminish the enormity of African elephants. An adult male can weigh anywhere up to 13,000 pounds (5,896 kg), and even the females' up to 6,600 pounds (2,993 kg) is nothing to sneeze at.
Elephants are peaceful animals and rarely get pulled into a confrontational situation, and some say that is why they live up to 70 years. No predator other than humans willing to challenge their size only adds to their long lives.
The African elephant's long trunk allows it to pick food from the ground or the tallest tree, giving it a diverse diet that includes grass, leaves, twigs, roots, fruits, and bark.
As the largest land herbivore, the elephant consumes between 330-375 pounds (149-169 kg) of vegetation daily.
The African elephant prefers staying close to water and mainly inhabits the savannas and sub-Saharan Africa. Safari enthusiasts always persist in seeing an elephant, and Tanzania Safaris has just the place where you can view these large mammals as they graze the planes under the African sun.
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Lake Mnayara National Park, Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
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Hwange National Park
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Amboseli National Park, Kenya
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Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
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Okavango Delta, Botswana
3. Leopard (One of the Big Five Animals in Africa)
The African leopard is the smallest of the "Big Five," but as it lies quietly in a tree high above, it surveys the ground below with eyesight seven times better than a human's. What this small cat lacks in size, it makes up for with strength, stealth, and agility.
The average male weighs about 80-165 pounds (36-75 kg) and reaches a length of 3-6,2 feet (92-190 cm), excluding its tail. Although the leopard is 24-28 inches (60-70 cm) tall from the ground to its shoulders, it can jump incredibly well.
Leopards are gifted climbers who leap 10 feet (3 m) straight up, more than four times their height, straight up into a tree. If that does not impress, this feline can jump forward 20 feet (6 m), run 36 miles per hour (58 kph), and carry a prey heavier than its body weight into a tree.
The leopard's coat is yellowish/golden with black spots called rosettes, and like a human fingerprint, it is unique to each cat. This small African feline has a 15-year lifespan in the wild but up to 23 years in captivity.
Like all wild cats, this African Panthera is a carnivore. It mainly feeds on antelope, which it drags up into a tree to prevent scavengers or lions from stealing it. Since it only kills about 20 times yearly, protecting its catch and spreading the meal is essential to its survival.
These stunning animals inhabit the dry regions of North Africa, the semi-desert areas of Southern Africa, and the mountains of Kenya. As skilled hunters, the leopard is a master at camouflage, and out of all the "Big Five," it is the most difficult to spot, adding to its intrigue among safari enthusiasts.
We know how difficult it is to get a glimpse of this super cat, and here are four places we recommend:
- Lake Manayara National Park, Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
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Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
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Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
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The Maasai Mara, Kenya
4. Lion (The Most Famous of the Big Five in Africa)
According to Discovery UK in the Mammals of the World Handbook 2009, there is a reason why the lion sits on the animal throne. Writers Wilson and Mittermeier documented the largest lion, measuring a staggering 10,8 feet (3,3 m) long and weighing 595 pounds (270 kg).
Generally, not all lions are that big, but the average male still measures an impressive 5,5-7 feet (1,6-2,1 m) long, and that's not even accounting for its tail, which adds another 3 feet (1 m). The male stands 4 feet (1,2 m) high from the ground to its shoulder and weighs anywhere from 330-550 pounds (150-250 kg).
The lion's distinctively powerful face and golden mane set it apart from most other cat species. Add a thundering roar with immense strength, and the king of the jungle is born. The lion boasts many other powerful qualities, like its 50 miles per hour (80 kph) top speed and the ability to leap 36 feet (10,9 m).
As carnivores feasting on big chunks of zebra, buffalo, and just about any antelope crossing its path, the lion still stays healthy enough to live a long life. These big cats live about 15 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.
Lions prefer savannas and open grassy planes. Typically, the male lion will sleep up to 20 hours during the day, and at night, hunting is mainly done by the lioness.
Every visitor to Africa will agree that safari truly begins once the lion appears; in fact, the success of many safaris depends on observing these big cats. Below are several places Tanzania Safaris suggests if you want your trip to include meeting the lion:
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Lake Mnayara National Park, Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
- Sabi Sands and Timbavati Private Reserves, South Africa
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Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
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Kalahari Desert, South Africa/Botswana
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The Namib Desert & Skeleton Coast, Namibia
5. Rhinoceros (Black & White Rhinos of the Big Five)
Almost every one of the "Big Five" has a famous story, but none is as heartfelt as that of a one-horned Black Rhino bull, also known as "Waltzing Matilda," named because of its swaggering walk. During World War II, this giant became beloved by troops and other visitors as it kept close and befriended Capt. Potter and the game staff who took it upon themselves to protect it against poachers.
Two species, the black and the white rhino, are part of the "Big Five" and easily distinguishable from each other. Illegal poaching threatens both species.
The white rhino is the larger of the two species. They weigh up to 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg), the male somewhat heavier, with some reported as heavy as 10,000 pounds (4,600 kg). The white rhino has a short, thick neck, a large head, and a total body length of 11-15 feet (3,5-4,6 m). It stands 5,9-6,6 feet (1,8-2 m) from the ground to its shoulder.
Male and female rhinos have two impressive and intimidating horns. The front horn is larger than the rear and measures an average of 35 inches (90 cm), with some reaching a length of 59 inches (150 cm).
The second rhino species roaming the African continent is the black rhino, which is smaller in body and horn size than its white counterpart.
Black rhinos weigh between 1,900-3,500 pounds (850-1,600 kg), with a few exceptions weighing up to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg). The average male measures between 59-69 inches (150-175 cm) from the ground to its shoulder and is 11-13 feet (3,5-3,9 m) long.
Both rhino species are herbivores and mainly feed on grass, twigs stems, leaves, and fruit found in grasslands and dense vegetation. With such a healthy diet and almost no predators other than humans threatening its existence, a rhino can live between 35 and 40 years.
Rhinos often feed early in the morning and late afternoon, with some even grazing at night to avoid the African heat. These feeding habits cause them to lie in the shade all day, making them hard to spot, but Tanzania Safaris has two great places where you are sure to get a glimpse of this African wonder.
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Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
Final word
The Big Five are a story of transformation—from the deadly calculus of colonial hunting to a modern celebration of wildlife, photography, and conservation economies. The best safaris respect animal space, support local communities, and choose operators who invest in protection and habitat.
In Africa, the "Big Five" is as famous as the Seven Wonders of The World, and without exception, no safari is complete without getting a glimpse of these fantastic beasts. Join Tanzania Safaris to experience these animals and the many others roaming the African landscape.