Safari Bucket List: Can You Spot The Big 5?

The most important thing to remember while on safari is to live in the moment and appreciate every single experience. You never know what Africa and Mother Nature has in store for you, so be prepared for anything, and enjoy the ride. That being said, there is an ultimate safari bucket list that most safari-goers love to seek out. It's a list of animals that if all spotted, means you can go home knowing your safari was a complete and undeniable success.

It’s the Big 5.

Named after the five big game animals that were traditionally the most dangerous and difficult to hunt on foot, these five species are iconic African wildlife, and you’re highly likely to see at least one or two on your safari. If luck is on your side, you may even see all five. If not, be grateful for all you did see, and keep those remaining on your bucket list to search for on your next safari!

Who Are the Big Five?

The lion is an iconic member of the Big 5, sitting at the top of the food chain as king of the jungle. They are top predators, even capable of taking down giant animals like giraffes or elephants, and being in their presence is a powerful and bone-chilling thrill. Lions are social cats so if you spot one, keep your eyes peeled for other members of the pride amongst your surroundings. Early morning and early evening are great times to spot lions, when they use the cooler weather to hunt.Elephants are the largest and heaviest animals on Earth, and seeing them in the wild is an absolute gift. There is something about the energy of these gentle giants, as they move silently through the bush, munching on grass and tending to their young. Sometimes they can get curious or spunky, coming up for a sniff with their trunk or a mock charge by flapping their ears. But don't worry, your ToursByLocals guide knows how to read an elephant's behaviour and will never put you in danger, so leave fear at the door and take in the experience for the magic that it is.The elusive leopard is typically the hardest to spot out of all the Big Five, but if a leopard does decide to let itself be seen, the reward is profound. Spotted and silky with eyes that pierce into your soul, leopards are absolutely stunning creatures. They can be seen moving sleekly through the grass, leaping powerfully up into a tree, or lounging on the branches, poised to perfection. A leopard sighting is an experience you won’t forget.While Cape buffalo can typically be seen grazing in large herds, having a mud bath, or staring peculiarly at your game vehicle with their thick, curved horns, these typically docile herbivores are potentially the most dangerous out of the Big 5. They can be unpredictable and aggressive and you do not want to encounter them on foot! But they always make for an interesting sighting nonetheless.There are two species of rhinoceros in Africa — the white rhino, which primarily eats grass with its wide, flat lips, and the black rhino, which has a narrower set of curved lips to help it pluck leaves and stems off bushes. Rhinos are sadly endangered, so on safari, it is common to see them dehorned, so as to not attract poachers. These large, sturdy, prehistoric-looking creatures are generally peaceful and often skittish, and getting to witness them in the wild is always a privilege.