The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania

Hello Guys and welcome to our post "The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania". Many of you who come to Tanzania, come with the ambition of seeing the “Big 5”. Some of you reading this will wonder what is the “Big 5”? So, let me explain. The "Big 5" refers to the African lion, leopard, Black rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo. The reason these are considered the “Big 5” has nothing to do with their size, but with the level of difficulty it takes to catch. The “Big 5” phrase was coined by hunters, not tour operators. 

 The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania: African Lion

The African lion is one of the most famous of all African animals on safari and it commands the most fascination. Something that may surprise you, is that the lion is not the biggest of all the big cats, the tiger has that accolade. A fully grown male lion can weigh more than 250kg (500lbs). There is no denying while on a safari in Tanzania, one is always on the lookout for the famous lion, whether male or female, the lion is much sought after. We here at Augustine’s Adventure Africa (AA Africa) always cooperate with other operators while on Safari to make sure that we try our best to show you the “Big 5”.

 The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania: Leopard

The leopard is a beautiful animal that will hypnotize you with its grace. They are most active at night, which makes them harder to spot. Leopards are skilled hunters and eat a wide variety of prey items, which allows them to adapt and survive. The leopard is considered the most difficult of the “Big 5” to hunt because of their nocturnal and secretive nature. They are wary of humans and will take flight in the face of danger. The leopard is also solitary by nature.

 The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania: Elephant

The African elephant will captivate you as they meander along the African plains. You will be in awe of the sheer size of these wonderful creatures. While on a Safari in Tanzania, you may see elephants eating vegetation as they walk along their path or visiting a watering hole to get a drink. While you sit in the jeep and observe, you will be astonished at how calmly and silently these huge animals make their way through the habitat. Occasionally, you may be lucky enough to find a herd with several young calves.

 The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania: Black Rhinoceros

There are two species of rhinoceros found in Africa. The white rhino is mainly found in South Africa while the Black rhino can be found across Africa and more importantly, in Tanzania. We are truly blessed here in Tanzania to offer you the safari of your dreams. Even though the rhinoceros is heavy-set and seems to be a slow mover, they can reach a top speed of 30 miles an hour.  The population of the rhinoceros is down almost 98% since the 1960's due to hunting for their horn, which is in high demand in the Asian market. We here in Africa are trying desperately to save these unique creatures.

 The Big 5 Safari in Tanzania: Cape Buffalo

While on a safari in Tanzania you will see many cape buffalo grazing in large herds on the Savannah. There is no doubt the cape buffalo are one of the most successful grazers in the continent of Africa. The buffalos’ biggest enemy is the lion. While the buffalo can defend itself against a lone lion, when the lions come in a pride, the buffalo usually loses. Also, when crossing rivers, the younger buffalo can be taken by crocodiles. It  truly is a sight to behold thousands of buffalo moving across the African plains. 

 The “Big 5”: Conclusion: Safari in Tanzania

I hope you enjoyed our post today "The “Big 5” Safari in Tanzania" where we spoke of the:

• Lion
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Black Rhino
• Cape Buffalo

The next thing for you to do is contact us today and let us here at Augustine’s Adventure Africa (AA Africa) make your dreams a reality.

Augustine Minja

Owner & Travel Consultant.