Embark on the ultimate adventure with a Big 5 safari experience. For both wildlife enthusiasts and first-time African travellers, encountering lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant is a must! But where should you go to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitat? As the World's Best Safari Company, we've compiled a guide that unveils the finest African destinations for seeing the Big 5.
Enjoy a Big 5 safari in the African wilderness
1. Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Discover Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a jewel within the Greater Kruger National Park's embrace. This leopard-rich land epitomises opulence and top-tier Big 5 safaris with year-round bird migrations and a biodiverse wildlife population. With its captivating symphony of animal calls and shimmering nocturnal skies, it remains an untouched wilderness.
Boasting a variety of leading luxury lodges, Sabi Sand caters to all kinds of travellers. Whether you're travelling alone, with your partner, friends or family, or even as honeymooners, there's something for everyone, ensuring each guest’s stay is intimate and unforgettable.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
We recommend you visit during the dry season from May to September.
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers plenty of leopard sightings, Image Credit: Katharina Mandy
2. Hluhluwe iMfolozi-Park, South Africa
Tucked in the heart of Zululand along South Africa's eastern shores, Hluhluwe Village rests amid lush sugarcane fields and pineapple plantations, acting as the gateway to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. This national park is a fantastic Big 5 safari destination and home to diverse wildlife, varied landscapes and over 350 bird species.
But that’s not all! Visit stunning beaches such as St. Lucia, Cape Vidal, and Sodwana Bay, offering exciting aquatic activities and encounters with dolphins and migrating humpback whales.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
May to September is a great time to visit Hluhluwe iMfolozi-Park.
See the Big 5 up close, Image Credit: Rhino Ridge
3. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
The expansive Madikwe Game Reserve lies in South Africa's North West Province, bordering Botswana and the Kalahari Desert. With diverse landscapes, including bushveld, grasslands, and rocky slopes, the area is a pristine location for Big 5 safaris and seeing the endangered African wild dog.
Beyond preserving wildlife, Madikwe is dedicated to community upliftment. Managed by the government, the private sector benefits from lodges staffed by locals. The reserve shelters 10,000 mammals and 350 bird species and offers thrilling encounters with cheetahs, giraffes, and more!
When is The Best Time to Visit?
Plan your visit around May to September for the best wildlife viewing.
Madikwe is great for Big 5 sightings and home to the endangered African wild dog, Image Credit: Little Madikwe Hills
4. Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger National Park consistently shines among Africa's treasures, renowned for amazing Big 5 safaris and iconic private lodges. Home to unrivalled wildlife encounters, it's where elephants roam freely and lions snooze on anthills. This South African gem spans six million acres of accessible wilderness.
From marvellous mountains to luxurious amenities, the Big 5's domain offers thrills and comfort. As seasoned Travel Experts, we guarantee an exceptional Kruger experience tailored to your preferences and budget. It's a legacy waiting to be explored!
When is The Best Time to Visit?
May to September. For more information, read this blog!
See the Cape buffalo in their droves throughout the Kruger National Park
5. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is the largest and oldest in the country and home to one of Africa’s biggest elephant herds. It's a true gem for nature lovers, and offers many ways to enjoy a Big 5 safari, including walking safaris, horseback rides and game drives.
Roaming within are iconic animals like lions, leopards, rhinos, and one of the continent's strongest populations of African wild dogs! Its landscapes mirror this diversity – arid shrubbery in the south contrasts with northern grasslands adorned with teak and mopane trees.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
The best time for Big 5 safaris is between July to October.
Hwange is famous for its elephant herds
6. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Moremi Game Reserve, the sole wildlife sanctuary in Okavango Delta, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Encompassing a quarter of the Delta within its borders, it spans thousands of square kilometres, boasting forests, lagoons, floodplains, and islands.
Celebrated for its ecological diversity, Moremi Game Reserve hosts Botswana's richest blend of habitats and creatures. This translates into awe-inspiring wildlife encounters and prolific birdwatching – a prime destination for a Big 5 safari. Traverse the terrain by vehicle, foot, mokoro, or horseback to deeply engage with this wondrous wildlife hub.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
You should aim to visit between July to October for the best safari experience.
Moremi is a prime destination for a Big 5 safari, Image Credit: Camp Moremi
7. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Discover the vibrant Chobe Region, the meeting point for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. Chobe National Park is famed for its giant elephant herds and the Kazungula village, offering ferry access to Zambia for breathtaking Victoria Falls views. A Big 5 safari is a must in Chobe as all animals roam freely, offering an unforgettable spectacle.
While Chobe National Park exudes an authentic wilderness ambience, the accommodation options could not be more different! From the moment you set foot into one of its incredible lodges or camps, a world of genuine pampering and luxury unfolds.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
Plan your Chobe safari between August to October for the best time.
You don't even need to leave the lodge to enjoy magnificent sightings in Chobe, Image Credit: Chobe Princess
8. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
While the Serengeti National Park takes the spotlight for playing host to the Great Wildebeest Migration, it also offers thrilling Big 5 safaris. Witness herds of elephants cooling off and lions vying for food – the action never ceases in this wild expanse!
Yet amidst the untamed wilderness, the national park boasts lavish lodges, offering a front-row seat to the Serengeti's spectacles. Teeming with predators and diverse birdlife, there's constant activity, especially near the rivers and watering holes where animals gather. With lurking hippos and crocs, the water's edge becomes the prime lookout for magical moments.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
We recommend you visit during June to September.
The Serengeti is also a fantastic Big 5 safari destinaiton, Image Credit: Singita Serengeti Grumeti
9. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa's most beloved and frequented game reserves, boasting an impressive size extending to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Rigorous anti-poaching measures have contributed to its fame, thriving with the presence of lions, cheetahs, and leopards, thus offering spectacular Big 5 safaris!
Its name, Maasai Mara, hails from the Maasai tribe, indigenous to the region. The Maasai's term for the land, "mara," reflects the sprawling terrain adorned with animals, acacia trees, and the distinctive dance of cloud shadows. The reserve hosts various lodges and camps, ensuring an authentic and immersive Maasai Mara safari for all.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
Make your way to the Maasai Mara between June and October for the ultimate safari.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa's most beautiful reserves, Image Credit: Jane Pearce
10. Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Akagera National Park is renowned for being Rwanda’s only Big 5 safari destination. The national park embodies a miraculous revival as the last haven for savannah-adapted creatures. Central Africa's largest protected wetland, it's a tale of redemption. Once on the edge of vanishing, it's now a safari mecca.
Encounter Maasai giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, and more on exhilarating game drives. Furthermore, lakeside exploration unveils hippos, crocs, and shoebills amidst diverse waterbirds. Akagera, where second chances come alive, offers unparalleled wildlife encounters in Rwanda's wilderness.
When is The Best Time to Visit?
You can expect a great trip if you visit between June to September and mid-December to mid-February.
Akagera is Rwanda’s only Big 5 safari destination, Image Credit: Wilderness Magashi
Embark on a Big 5 Safari in Africa!
Our team of Travel Experts have traversed these destinations for themselves and have a wealth of knowledge about the Big 5 and where to see them on safari.
If a Big 5 safari tickles your fancy, we can highly recommend one of the above destinations for your next African safari. But don't delay, start planning your safari today!
Featured Image: Serengeti Safari Camp
