What is the Big Five?
The Africa’s Big 5 – lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and the buffalo – is many people’s reason for a wildlife safari experience in Africa. The term originally came from these animals being the most dangerous wildlife to hunt down and hence sought after as trophies. Surprisingly, these magnificent creatures are now more commonly celebrated by visitors eager to capture them on camera, as part of a photographic safari holiday.
A Safari holiday to Tanzania is arguably one of Africa’s greatest destinations for a Big 5 safari experience, whether it is your first time on safari or you are a seasoned safari goer, it gives something special for everyone. It boasts the world-renowned magical Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater Conversational Area, and the vast Selous Game Reserve – all names synonymous with some of the best safari memories you got to experience on your safari to Africa.
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and more than a quarter of its surface area is protected in national parks and game reserves. These big areas collectively conserve around 20% of Africa’s large mammal biomass, including a lion population which is 3 or 4 times greater than any other African safari destination / country.
