The Big Five are the lion, leopard, African elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. The name comes from big-game hunters, who considered them the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today it is a checklist for safari travellers, and Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa to complete it.
The Big Five at a glance
| Animal | Best places in Tanzania | How easy to see |
|---|---|---|
| Lion | Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha | Common |
| Leopard | Central Serengeti (Seronera), Tarangire, Ruaha | Takes patience |
| Elephant | Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Lake Manyara | Common |
| Cape buffalo | Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire | Very common |
| Black rhino | Ngorongoro Crater | Rare; best chance in the crater |
Lion
The Serengeti has one of the largest lion populations in Africa. Prides rest on kopjes, under acacias and near water, and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The Ngorongoro Crater and Ruaha are also excellent.
Leopard
Leopards are solitary and well camouflaged, which makes them the hardest of the big cats to find. The central Serengeti around the Seronera River is one of the best areas in Africa, thanks to its sausage and acacia trees. Look for a dangling tail or a kill hung in a branch. Guides often find them by watching the reactions of other animals.
African elephant
Tanzania has large elephant populations. Tarangire is the standout in the dry season, when herds gather along the river. The Ngorongoro Crater has older bulls with large tusks, and the southern parks of Ruaha and Nyerere have big herds in wild settings.
Cape buffalo
Buffalo are the easiest of the five to see. Large herds graze the Ngorongoro Crater floor and the Serengeti plains. Old bulls, known as “dagga boys”, often live alone or in small groups near water. They look calm but have a reputation for being unpredictable.
Black rhino
Tanzania’s rhinos are black rhinos, which are critically endangered. The Ngorongoro Crater gives the best chance of seeing them in the wild, usually at a distance on the open floor. A small number live in parts of the Serengeti, such as the Moru Kopjes, and in protected sanctuaries such as the one in Mkomazi. Bring binoculars.
Best route for the Big Five
A northern circuit safari that includes the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater gives the best chance of seeing all five. Tarangire adds elephants in the dry season.
- Serengeti & Crater: five nights, strong on lions, leopards and rhinos.
- The Northern Loop: seven nights with Tarangire added for elephants.
- Crater & Manyara Quick: three nights, with a good chance of four or five in the crater.
Tips to see all five
- Include the Ngorongoro Crater for rhinos.
- Spend two nights or more in the central Serengeti for leopards.
- Travel in the dry season (June to October) when vegetation is thin.
- Head out at dawn. Cats are most active early.
- Tell your guide which animals matter most so they can plan the route.
- Carry binoculars. Rhinos and leopards are often far away.
Beyond the Big Five
Some of the best moments on safari come from other animals: cheetahs hunting, giraffes drinking or a honey badger crossing the road. Read about the honey badger, the serval and the Great Migration.
Frequently asked questions
The Ngorongoro Crater gives the best chance. Lions, buffalo, elephants and black rhinos live on the crater floor, and leopards are occasionally seen in the forest near the rim.
The term came from big-game hunters, who considered these five animals the most dangerous to hunt on foot. Today it is used by photographers and safari travellers.
On a five- to seven-night safari that includes the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, most guests see all five, though leopards and rhinos are never guaranteed.
