African Safari

Whether youre an africa aficionado or a first timer currently researching your maiden visit to the greatest continent on earth youve probably heard of the big fiveinitially coined by the big game hunters of centuries past the phrase now refers to five of the most sought after safari animals. In africa the big five game animals are the lion leopard rhinoceros elephant and cape buffalo.

Big 5 Lion Leopard Elephant Buffalo Rhino

An Introduction To Africa S Big Five Safari Animals

The Big Five Game Animals Of Africa

The big five animals of africa lion leopard buffalo rhino and elephant were so named by hunters from colonial days as the most difficult and dangerous african beasts to kill.

Whats the big 5 in africa. The term was coined by gentlemen hunters who moved to africa in search of the wildlife trophies. 9 south africa 1219912 km 2 take out a map of africa and trail your finger to the tip of the continent right there is south africa. Yes the country of south africa is the southernmost country of africa. The heavy thick skinned members of the big five are often taken at much closer ranges. Fortunately its tourists who do most of the shooting today but only with their cameras. Lion leopard rhino elephant and cape buffalo. The animals included the african elephant cape buffalo black rhinoceros. Most countries of southern africa specify the use of a rifle of at least 375 caliber or greater when hunting the big five. Long gone are the days of a big adventure trip to colonial africa for game hunting safaris. In the game reserves and national parks of southern africa the big five represents safari royalty the african lion the african leopard the african elephant the cape buffalo and the rhino either white or black. Game reserves that host the big five will usually use this fact as their biggest selling pointbut what does it mean. The term big five was initially used to refer to the five most difficult and dangerous african animals to hunt on foot. At one time the big five were at the top of hunters lists as they were considered the most difficult of africas big game to shoot while on foot. Join our field guides and research team for the ultimate african safari enjoying daily drives through south african wildlife reserves to monitor and study the african big 5 help us conserve these incredible animals for future generations to see. It takes up 471011 square miles ranking it as the 25 th largest country in the world and the 9 th largest in africa.

Except for the big cats quality controlled expansion bullets or solids are a must. These days of course its more about choosing the right lens to shoot them with. The term was coined by big game hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in africa to hunt on foot but is now also widely used by safari tour operators. In the past the debonair safari suits and sun helmets of hemingways hollywood era dominated. Namely the elephant the buffalo the leopard the lion and the rhino. Want to get up close with some of africas most incredible wildlife.