The Big five Tanzania

What is the Big Five?

The name Big Five has nothing to do with the sizes of the animals. It’s a name given in Africa in the 19th and early 20th centuries to the animals that were the most difficult to hunt. These were times when hunting these beautiful animals was still accepted. Nowadays, only photos are taken of the Big Five, and the animals can enjoy their own nature again.

The term was officially established by hunters in South Africa but later gained a positive meaning in safari tourism. Today, the Big Five symbolizes respect for nature and biodiversity.

Which Animals are in the Big Five and where Can You Find Them?

The Big Five consists of the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. These animals represent the strength, speed, and survival instincts of the African ecosystem.

The Lion

Perhaps one of the world’s most impressive animals. The ruler of the African savannas. The lion is a large feline that is at the top of the food chain in Africa. Lions are very social and often live in groups with 1 male and a few females. The lion can still be found in much of Africa and a very small part of India.

In Tanzania, it’s estimated that there are more than 15,000 lions, especially in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

“During our safaris in Serengeti, we often see lion families resting under acacia trees, especially in the early morning.”

The Leopard

The leopard, not to be confused with the cheetah, is another predator from the feline family. Along with the rhino, the cheetah is the most difficult to spot in the wild. This is because they often spend entire days in trees. At dusk, the leopard often comes out of the tree to go hunting. The leopard can be found in Africa and Asia.

Leopards can be seen mainly in the Serengeti, Tarangire, Selous, and possibly also in the Crater. They are solitary and active at dusk. In Tanzania, there are still about 5,000 to 7,000 specimens.

The elephant

The elephant is the largest land animal in the world. With their large ears, impressive tusks and long trunk, they are easy to recognize. Elephants always live in groups where there is a lot of social contact. The oldest cow is often the leader of the group. Elephants can be found in much of Africa and in southeast Asia.

In Tanzania, there are more than 60,000 African elephants, with large populations in Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Selous Game Reserve.

“Tarangire is known for its herds of up to 200 elephants at once, an impressive sight.”

The rhino

The rhino is currently the rarest animal in the Big Five. This is because the rhino population has never been so low. These impressive animals are heavily hunted because the horn is believed to have medicinal powers. Rhinos can now only be found in a few places in southern Africa.

In Tanzania, there are now only a few dozen black and white rhinos. Thanks to protection programs in the Ngorongoro Crater, northern Serengeti, and Mkomazi National Park, among others, their numbers are slowly increasing.

The buffalo

The buffalo is the easiest animal to spot of the Big Five. This is because they are present in large numbers on the vast plains of Africa. Their frequent occurrence doesn’t make them less interesting. It’s very impressive to see a group of 1000 buffaloes crossing a river. Buffaloes can mainly be seen on the African savannas.

Buffaloes are found in almost every national park in Tanzania, from Lake Manyara to Selous. They live in herds that sometimes number thousands of animals and are often called ‘the unpredictable force of Africa’ by guides.

Face to face with the Big Five – an unforgettable experience!

Everything was arranged down to the last detail, from transportation to the lodges. Our guide Richard made sure we felt welcome everywhere and knew exactly where we needed to be. Thanks to his knowledge and dedication, we saw all five of the Big Five – something we’ll never forget.

A perfectly organized trip and a memory for life!

— C.G., October 2025

Why Was it so Difficult to Hunt the Big Five?

After seeing these five impressive animals, it’s not hard to imagine why they once posed such a challenge for hunters. The animals of the Big Five are not necessarily predatory animals. Yet these animals were among the most difficult to hunt. This is mainly because elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes often attacked people who came too close with their great strength. Leopards were often too difficult to find because there was no good equipment to hunt at night at that time.

Today, the focus is on protection. The Big Five plays an important role in anti-poaching programs and sustainable tourism, which directly contributes to nature conservation in Tanzania.

Solutions and strategies

• Anti-Poaching Units (APUs): specialized teams of trained rangers protect the animals in their natural habitat. They patrol daily in national parks and reserves to discourage and detect poachers.

• Protected areas: about a third of Tanzania’s land area consists of protected natural areas, including national parks, reserves, and conservancies that together form a large habitat for the Big Five.

• Stricter law enforcement: The Tanzanian government and international partners seize illegal products such as ivory, arrest poachers, and prosecute traders to stop illegal trade.

• Technology: drones, motion sensors, and data analysis are increasingly being used to monitor large areas and detect poaching activities more quickly.

• Collaboration with local communities: by involving residents in nature conservation and supporting them with alternative sources of income (such as ecotourism and crafts), dependence on poaching decreases and local support for conservation grows.