South Africa is known for its famous Big 5, and the term refers to five of Africa’s greatest wild animals. They include the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino.
The options for a Big Five Safari experience in Africa are endless! Various private Game Reserves offer day trips with a variety of options, including standard trip, full day trip, combined safaris etc. Full board options including accommodation , meals and game viewing is a spectacular bush experience.
South Africa boasts 20 National Parks, including two of the world’s most renowned wildlife reserves, the Kruger Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve
Interesting facts about the Big 5:
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Buffalo’s primary predator is the lion. Buffalo will try rescue another member who has been caught.
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Leopards are excellent at climbing trees. They will safeguard their kill in a tree to prevent lions and hyenas from stealing it. They are also strong swimmers and will occasionally eat fish and crab.
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African Elephants communicate across large distances at a low frequency that cannot be heard by humans.
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Rhinos have poor vision, but their hearing and sense of smell are excellent
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Buffalo are fantastic swimmers, and will swim through deep waters to find better grazing areas.
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The Rhino is the most endangered species of the Big Five. Rhino poaching is being driven by Asian demand for horns. Very few Rhinos survive outside National parks & reserves.
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A lion’s roar can be heard up to 8 kilometers away. Female lions are the main hunters. Typically, the darker a lion’s mane, the older he is.
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The leopard is nocturnal, solitary and secretive, staying hidden during the day. They are the least spotted of the Big Five.
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Many plant species have evolved seeds that are dependent on passing through an elephant’s digestive tract before they can germinate. At least one third of tree species in West African forests rely on elephants in this way of dissemination.
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White Rhinos aren’t white, but slate grey in colour. The name takes its root from Dutch “weit” meaning wide, in reference to the animal’s wide muzzle.
