One of the first things people picture when they think of Africa is the ‘Big Five’. The big five term was created in the 1800s and referred to the five large African mammals which were known to be dangerous and the most difficult to hunt. While these animals are sadly still hunted today, the big five now relates to the goal of seeing these five beautiful animal species in the wild whilst on Safari in Africa. Seeing the big five would be an experience like no other and here are a few facts about these incredible animals.
Photo by Will Shirley
Lions
Lions are large felines and are the only cats that live in groups, called prides. I think we know more about lions than a lot of the others thanks to the Lion King!
Photo by Jeff Lemond
Leopards
Leopards are large, carnivorous feline which are often considered to be the hardest of the big five to spot. Leopards are noctural, solitary and secretive and are most active between sunset and sunrise. They are also excellent at climbing trees and very strong swimmers. Leopards are truly magestic, graceful creatures and due to their secretive nature it would make seeing them in nature even more special.
Photo by Geoff Brooks
Elephants
The African elephant is the largest animal that walks the Earth. African elephants live in 37 countries in Africa and live in herds or ‘families’. These magnificent creatures are under serious threat from poaching from hunters trying to get their ivory tusks.
Having seen elephants in the wild in Sri Lanka I can’t even imagine how magestic these enormous animals would be.
Photo by AJ Robbie
African Buffalo
African Buffalo often congregate by the thousands in the Serengeti. These cow-like animals form large groups as a defence against predators. The African buffalo is considered to be very dangerous and unlike the water buffalo, has never been domesticated.
Photo by Ray Rui
Rhinoceroses
The rhino is the most endangered species of the Big Five. Sadly, very few rhinos now survive outside national parks and reserves.
Photo by David Clode
There are so many other animals to see in Africa in addition to be big five. Giraffes, Hippo’s and Zebras are at the top of my wish list.
Photo by Pawan Sharma
Photo by Francesco Ungaro
Photo by Harshil Gudka
I can’t imagine how truly incredible it would be to go on a safari and to see all of these animals in the wild. Until we book our South Africa tours I’ll keep watching David Attenborough docos on TV and planning our big bucket-list Africa trip which I hope will happen in the next few years!
Have you been on Safari in Africa? x
PIN FOR LATER:
Photo by Will Shirley
This post was written in collaboration with Exodus.
All opinions, as always, are our own.
