The term "Big Five" was originally used by hunters for the five animals most dangerous to hunt on foot. Today it is a wish list for photographers: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Northern Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa to see all five on a single safari.
Lion
Tanzania has one of Africa's largest lion populations. The Serengeti is famous for prides resting on granite kopjes, while the Ngorongoro Crater has dense lion numbers on its open floor. Lake Manyara and Tarangire are known for lions that sometimes climb trees.
Leopard
The most elusive of the five. Look in the sausage and acacia trees along the Seronera River in the central Serengeti, where leopards drape over branches in the heat of the day. Tarangire also has good leopard sightings.
Elephant
Tarangire is the place for elephants, with herds of dozens gathering by the river in the dry season. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to old bull elephants with large tusks.
Buffalo
Cape buffalo are common in almost every park, often in large herds. Old males, known as "dagga boys", wallow in mud near swamps and waterholes.
Black rhino
The rarest of the five. The Ngorongoro Crater offers one of the best chances to see black rhino in East Africa, usually in the open grassland. A small population also lives in the Moru Kopjes area of the Serengeti.
Best safari to see the Big Five
A route that combines Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater gives you the strongest chance. Our 5 Days Classic Northern Circuit Safari covers all three.
Tips for spotting the Big Five
- Trust your guide. Guides share information by radio and know where animals have been seen.
- Look in the shade. Lions and leopards rest under trees and on branches in the heat.
- Scan the horizon with binoculars, especially for rhino in the crater.
- Be patient at waterholes, particularly in the dry season.
- Go out early — first light is when predators are most active.
Conservation status
- Black rhino: critically endangered, with careful protection in Tanzania
- Lion: vulnerable across Africa, though Tanzania holds a large share of the remaining population
- Elephant: endangered in Africa overall; Tanzania's parks are important strongholds
- Leopard: vulnerable
- Buffalo: not threatened, but dependent on protected areas
Your park fees help fund the rangers and research that protect these animals.
The "Little Five"
Look out for the Little Five too: the elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise. Spotting them is a fun challenge for families.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the Big Five in one day?
It is possible in the Ngorongoro Crater, although leopards are less common there. Most travellers complete the Big Five over a few days on the northern circuit.
Which is the hardest of the Big Five to see?
Leopard and black rhino are the most difficult. The Serengeti is best for leopards, and the Ngorongoro Crater for rhino.
Do I need a long safari to see the Big Five?
A five-day northern circuit safari gives you an excellent chance.
Beyond the Big Five
Do not forget the cheetah, the world's fastest land animal, wild dogs, giraffes, hippos and the hundreds of bird species that make every game drive different. Many guests find their most memorable sighting is not one of the Big Five at all.
Utmost Tanzania Tours
Utmost Tanzania Tours is an Arusha-based tour operator specialising in tailor-made wildlife safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro treks, Zanzibar beach holidays and cultural tours.
