No safari would be complete without seeing The Big 5, five of Africa’s iconic animals that must be experienced to truly appreciate Africa. Whether this is your first luxury safari experience or you’re returning after years away, crossing these five off your bucket list will certainly be a memorable moment!

Though it may not always be easy to spot all five members of the Big 5, there are ways to maximize your chances. Selecting the right park, guides, and time of day can help maximize your game-viewing opportunities!

• Serengeti

Tanzania’s oldest and most renowned national park is renowned for its abundant animal life. Here, you can spot lions in their natural habitat, elephants lazing on the savannah, and wildebeest herds traversing the Seronera River.

Serengeti offers many ways to witness the Big 5. You can take a guided game drive or bush walk or opt for an unforgettable hot air balloon safari for an aerial view of this incredible park and its animals. No matter your preference, there’s sure to be something perfect for you!

The five famous “Big Five” are lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. Considered the most majestic wild creatures in Africa, they have long been a major draw for tourists on game drives.

• Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Tanzania, is one of the world’s premier safari destinations and home to one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the wildebeest migration. Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores make their annual journey northward between July and October.

The Great Migration attracts an array of predators, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. You may also spot giraffes, elephants, zebras, and other plains game here.

Accommodation options in Masai Mara National Reserve range from tented camps and budget tents to luxury lodges. Many are situated within the national reserve itself, while others are in private conservancies surrounding it.

• Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of Africa’s best places to spot the Big 5. Situated in the southwestern corner of Kruger National Park, this 66,000-hectare reserve shares an unfenced border with the Park and boasts impressive predator sightings.

Singita, Londolozi, and Chitwa Chitwa are some of the country’s premier luxury safari lodges. These properties boast opulent suites with top-notch amenities – making them perfect for honeymooners, couples, or families with young children.

Wildlife viewing in the Sabi Sand is rewarding year-round, but especially so during dry winter months (May to September). Animals congregate around rivers and waterholes during these months when the grass is low, and visibility improves, as well as your chance of encountering predators such as leopards.

• Kruger National Park

Safari enthusiasts must experience the Big 5 while in Kruger National Park, an expansive reserve featuring diverse habitats from mixed bushwillow woodlands in the east to open tree savanna in the south. To spot these majestic creatures, visitors should head to this famous reserve today!

It also boasts an array of birds and is home to several endangered species that are now flourishing. Spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos in the southern region of the park is quite easy – they’re usually visible nearby.

Drive through this area on a self-drive safari and observe wildlife from the comfort of your vehicle. Alternatively, guided tours offer an even more authentic and intimate experience.

You can stay in the park at one of a number of rest camps, which offer well-equipped and basic campsites or huts. Alternatively, there are private concessions offering more luxurious and exclusive accommodation choices.

Click here to read “Can You See The Big 5 In Serengeti?“