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Best Places and Where to See the Big 5 in Africa
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are the best places and where to see the Big 5 in East Africa. Travelers have the opportunity to see these incredible and charismatic animal species on just a single safari excursion. To start planning your big 5 safari in one of East Africa’s legendary parks, we go in search of the best places and where to see the big 5 animals.
Where to See the Big 5 in Africa
1. Tanzania – Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Combining the legendary Serengeti and the adjoining Ngorongoro Conservation Area in a single safari itinerary is a real tourist treat. Each of these two remarkable wildlife parks yields great opportunities for seeing the Big 5 in just a single escapade.
The vast grassy plains of Serengeti favour the grazing of herds of wildebeest and zebras more than elephants and rhinos. The overwhelming numbers of wildlife here will more than make up for missing out on spotting a member of the Big 5.
The great migration rolling through the Serengeti from November to July means you may be lucky enough to see a lion kill, and a savannah dotted with trees means that leopards are way easier to see than you might imagine.
Game drives in the world’s largest caldera; the Ngorongoro Crater delivers remarkable wildlife sightings. The area is home to the highest density of wildebeest and zebra, prides of lion, leopard, elephants, gazelles, and birds like flamingos and pelicans, to name but a few. Since the area is part of a big conservation effort, there are high chances of seeing the rarest of the Big 5 here such as the black rhinos.
2. Kenya - Maasai Mara National Reserve
Although mostly famous for the wildebeest migration, the Maasai Mara remains a great Big 5 destination. Heading for the private conservancies in the Mara offers exclusive Big 5 sightings. You can take morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big 5.
There is an abundance of wildlife at any time of year, and during the months between the end of July and October, large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrate into the Mara from the adjacent Serengeti in Tanzania in search of grazing that flourishes after the rains.
This remarkable natural spectacle evokes a bittersweet ballad, as the herds are often pursued by hungry predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is situated on the Laikipia Plateau with a backdrop of Mount Kenya. Its operations have long been strongly conservation-focused, making it a great destination for sighting the Big 5. The area harbours both black and white rhinos, while African elephants are only seasonal visitors. Lewa’s exclusivity makes for particularly tranquil wildlife viewing, although no more than three vehicles are allowed at a sighting.
3. Uganda – Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth
The big 5 are quite hard to miss while driving through Uganda’s national parks. While the White Rhinos (Northern) can only be seen in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Entebbe UWEC Zoo, you will have a good chance of sighting the other members of the Big 5 in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley national parks.
Visiting these remarkable parks will put you in the center of nonchalant herds of buffalos and elephants and the hunting pride of lions. A relaxed and patient early morning or late evening game drive may lead you to the elusive leopard’s hunting joints.
Taking a boat safari on the Nile in Murchison Falls or on the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth is a great way to effortlessly spot these iconic African big 5 in Uganda, as the December to February and June to July heat is sure to bring them out to the shores to catch a sip of the fresh waters.
Choose your favourite safari
Explore our range of thrilling safari trips to these animal-packed conservation areas, each with great animal sighting opportunities and elegant accommodations that will immerse you in the animal kingdom.
