Best Safaris in Africa to See the Big 5

Explore the best safaris in Africa to see the Big 5, including the best national parks and private game reserves.

Written by

Ker & Downey® Africa

Seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat is the ultimate bucket-list safari experience for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts. The majestic beauty of these creatures is unmatched, and there is no better place to witness them than at some of Africa’s best national parks and private game reserves.

It’s important to remember that not all parks and private game reserves will have all of the Big 5 and visiting them is no guarantee that you will witness all of these creatures.

Ker & Downey® Africa helps the world’s most discerning safari enthusiasts in search of the Big 5 craft exceptional safari experiences in some of Africa’s most breathtaking parks and reserves. Here are some of the best safari parks in Africa to see the Big 5.

What are the Big 5 on a luxury safari in Africa?

The “Big Five” refers to five of Africa’s most iconic and sought-after animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, (including white rhinos and black rhinos) and African buffalo. The term is widely used by safari operators and wildlife enthusiasts to highlight the must-see animals for visitors on safari.

The Big 5 are often central to conservation efforts in Africa due to the threats they face from habitat loss and poaching. These magnificent animals hold cultural importance, frequently featured in African folklore, art, and traditions, and are significant draw cards for safari tourism, which, in-turn, helps fund conservation efforts.

If you would like to experience the Big Five on a luxury safari in Africa, we can help. We specialise in curating extraordinary Big 5 safari experiences in Africa, with access to ultra-exclusive and luxurious lodges. Contact our team today.

Best places to see the Big 5

Lions

Hearing the roar of a lion is an unmatched experience and seeing these majestic big cats in their natural habitat is an experience unlike any other. Often referred to as the King of the Savanna, lions reign supreme. The best parks to see lions include:

The Maasai Mara, Kenya
Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Etosha National Park, Namibia

Leopards

The graceful and elusive leopard is always a highlight of a Big Five safari in Africa. Here are some of the best places to see this elegant big cat in Africa:

Kruger National Park, South Africa
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Masai Mara, Kenya
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

Elephants

African bush elephants are the largest land mammals in the world, and nothing can quite match seeing these graceful giants move through the wilderness in closely bonded herds. Elephants are led by a matriarch who keeps a watchful eye over the younger elephants while often leading the herd across vast distances. Some of the best destinations to see African elephant on a luxury Big Five safari include:

Chobe River, Botswana
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Rhinoceros (white rhino and black rhino)

Rare black and white rhino are the second-largest mammals in the world, and despite being brought close to the point of extinction, with some species being critically endangered, there are now several national parks and private reserves where you can see a healthy population of these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat thanks to conservation efforts. These include:

Etosha National Park, Namibia
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Damaraland, Namibia
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch, Uganda
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Buffalo

One of the most dangerous animals in Africa, buffalo are a Big 5 highlight, moving in large herds (up to a thousand) which makes them one of the easiest Big Five animals to spot. They can be spotted in many private reserves and national parks, however, some of the best destinations to see these magnificent creatures include:

Chobe National Park, Botswana
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Katavi National Park, Tanzania
The Okavango Delta, Botswana
Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

What are the best parks for an African safari to see the Big 5?

The best African safari parks and game reserves offer ideal opportunities for witnessing the Big 5, either on a game drive or a private guided walking safari. We curate luxury Big 5 safari experiences in some of Africa’s best national parks and private game reserves, ensuring exceptional opportunities to witness the Big 5 in their natural habitat. Here are some of the best parks for an African safari to see the Big 5.

Kruger National Park

The iconic Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most famous park, offering excellent opportunities to view the Big 5, including African elephants, lions, and buffalo, alongside a diverse selection of other wildlife, including zebras, a variety of antelope species, hippos, giraffe, wildebeest, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopard sightings.
Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa, spanning nearly 2 million hectares along South Africa’s border with Mozambique. The park consistently ranks as one of the best safari parks in the world, including for African safaris to see the Big 5, offering a magical safari experience that is unmatched.

Chobe National Park

Come face-to-face with the Big 5 on an African safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana, considered one of the world’s greatest unspoiled safari playgrounds. The Chobe National Park boasts one of the highest game densities in all of Africa, offering superb wildlife sightings, including elephants, lions, buffalos, white rhinos, warthogs, monkeys, wildebeest, zebras, and Africa’s rare wild dog.

Chobe National Park is Botswana’s third largest park after the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Gemsbok National Park and is considered one of Botswana’s most breathtaking. The park is especially known for its large herds of elephants that gather along the Chobe River, as well as lions and Cape buffalo.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, is a World Heritage Site and home of the Great Migration, one of the greatest natural wonders in the world and the largest mammal migration on earth. However, the park is also home to the Big Five, including elephants and lions, alongside countless other wildlife species.

Spanning some 15,000 square kilometres, the Serengeti plains offer up vast vistas that are some of the most breathtaking in the world. Living alongside some of the greatest wildlife on earth, the Serengeti National Park is also home to several indigenous tribes, including the Maasai people, who still cling to their traditional way of life.

Immerse yourself in a superb selection of safari experiences, including Big 5 game drives, alongside an excellent selection of luxury lodges when you book a luxury safari experience to the Serengeti National Park with Ker & Downey® Africa.

Moremi Game Reserve

Located in Botswana, the spectacular Moremi Game Reserve delivers a first-class Big 5 safari experience. The Moremi Game Reserve is the oldest and first protected reserve of the Okavango Delta, and all the Big 5 can be seen in this park, including huge herds of African elephants and buffalos, alongside cheetahs, lions, and the rare rhino.

Besides the Big 5, the Moremi Game Reserve offers superb wildlife viewing opportunities, including multiple antelope species and more than 550 bird species, which thrive in the park’s undisturbed natural vegetation. The reserve offers a fantastic selection of luxury lodges, offering the utmost comfort coupled with a superb selection of safari experiences, including game drives.

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Nestled in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 10 natural wonders of the world, home to Africa’s Big 5 and one of the highest density of wild animals on the planet, including large populations of lions, elephants, wildebeest, and rhinos.

The park includes the great Ngorongoro crater, the world’s largest intact caldera, and includes vast expanses of savanna woodlands, highland plains, and forests. This breathtaking area is considered one of the most spectacular of all African parks.

Game viewing here is almost unmatched, with an outstanding range of safari tours and Big 5 spotting opportunities on offer. The park offers excellent opportunities to see rare black rhinos alongside lions, zebras, and wildebeest. Indeed, the caldera is home to more than 60 lions, offering unmatched opportunities to view these majestic big cats. The area is also home to more than 500 bird species.

Masai Mara Park

Kenya’s Masai Mara Park is a stunning national reserve teeming with wildlife, including the Big 5. Located in South West Kenya, the Masai Mara is a vast scenic expansive of rolling savannah plains, boasting large numbers of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebra to name just a few of the wildlife species that roam the park’s vast plains.

There’s a wonderful selection of safari experiences to enjoy within the Masai Mara park, including traditional game drives to see the Big 5, nature and bush walks, night safari game drives, horseback safaris, and hot air balloon safaris.

If you wish to experience this special Big 5 African safari destination, the safari specialists at Ker & Downey® Africa can help. Contact our team or browse our luxury Masai Mara safari lodges. We can’t wait to craft a once-in-a-lifetime luxury safari experience for you!

What type of luxury safaris can I enjoy in Africa?

You can enjoy a wonderful selection of luxury safaris in Africa, including safari experiences where you can see the Big 5.

Safari experiences with Ker & Downey® Africa include:

Walking safaris
Morning & afternoon game drives
Night drives
Hot air balloon safaris
Horse Riding safaris
Photographic safaris
Boat safaris
Cultural safaris
Wildlife conservation safaris
Gorilla trekking safaris
Wildebeest calving safaris
Elephant safaris
African wild dog safaris
Wildebeest Migration safaris

Each type of safari offers a unique experience in Africa. We specialise in luxury safaris in Africa, including safaris where you can see the Big 5. We offer a handpicked selection of luxury lodges, with every element of your safari experience tailored to your liking. If you want to enjoy a Big 5 safari experience in Africa, contact the luxury safari specialists at Ker & Downey® Africa today. We can’t wait to welcome you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Africa.

Protecting the Big 5 for future generations: Wildlife conservation safaris

Ker & Downey® Africa is committed to responsible Big Five safaris in Africa, offering a set of pioneering Big 5 safari experiences that place conservancy in the heart of the action. We work with carefully selected suppliers, ensuring you leave a positive legacy in Africa. If you want to learn about the best safaris in Africa to see the Big 5 contact our team today.

How can I book a safari in Africa to see the Big 5?

The best way to book a safari experience in Africa to see the Big 5 is to work with an experienced and highly knowledgeable luxury safari specialist such as Ker & Downey® Africa. We offer a collection of some of the world’s most luxurious lodges set in Africa’s best national parks and private game reserves. Contact our team today if you want to book a safari in Africa to see the Big 5. We can’t wait to show you the magic of seeing the Big 5 in Africa and crafting your ultimate safari experience! Are you ready?

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