If you're planning a trip to Africa, or are lucky enough to have travelled there for a safari, chances are you will have heard those famous three words: The Big Five. But who are they?
Read Next: My Top 12 African Game Reserves
The "Big Five Game" was a term created by hunters of the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. This was because of their unpredictable behaviour and likelihood to fight back, and doesn't actually have anything to do with their size. Most wildlife lovers dream of seeing all five on their trips to Africa, and parks such as Akagera National Park in Rwanda are even actively reintroducing these species to claim 'Big Five status' and attract tourists.
So which animals make the cut?
African Lion
The undisputed King of Africa, the lion is one of the most magnificent big cats. Lions are very social animals and live in prides of females, cubs and one or two males. They are most active at night and tend to sleep around 20 hours each day. If you have the opportunity to go on a night safari, make sure you listen out for lions roaring - an incredible sound that can be heard up to 8km away!
With no natural predators, their primary threat comes from humans. Habitat loss and conflict with local communities has lead to a decline in numbers, and there are estimated to be just 20,000 left in the wild. As a key part in the 'circle of life', lions play an important role in keeping the ecosystem in check, particularly wildebeest and zebra numbers. Their kills are also fed upon by hyenas, jackals and vultures once the lions are finished.
A significant number of the remaining lions live in Tanzania, making the Serengeti and Ngorogoro great options for seeing them in their natural habitat.
African Elephant
As the largest land mammal in the world, elephants are a truly spectacular sight to see in the wild. They are very social animals and live in families of up to 100 or more. They are probably the most intelligent animal you will see on your safari. Scientific research has seen elephants show signs of empathy and self-awareness and, of course, an elephant never forgets.
They are also known as 'landscape architects' for the way they sculpt the African landscapes. By creating clearings that enable forests to regenerate and spreading plant seeds, elephants have a positive impact the land they live on that other wildlife and humans depend on.
Elephants are a common sight in many parks throughout Africa, but around 20,000 are killed each year for their ivory - that's around 55 every single day, and more are now killed than born. Chobe National Park in Botswana is one of the best places to see wild elephants.
You can help by supporting elephant conservation projects (I proudly support African elephants through the WWF), and as with any endangered animals, keep geo-tagging switched off on your photos so you don't lead poachers to their locations.
Rhinoceros
There are two types of rhinos included here: the black rhino and the white rhino. Both are huge, short-sighted and dangerous if provoked. The black rhino is typically more aggressive and have been known to charge cars!
Both species of rhinos are under threat, and black rhinos in particular are now critically endangered due to poachers. A lot of parks now keep their rhino numbers private, but it is estimated there are only around 20,000 white rhinos and 5,000 black rhinos left in the wild. Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of the best places to black rhinos, and Kruger in South Africa is home to a large number of white rhinos.
Despite having no proven medicinal benefit of any kind, rhino horns are worth more than $100,000 per kg in Asian markets, particularly in Vietnam where the latest trend is snorting a rhino horn powder (which is in effect the same material as human fingernails).
An average of 3 rhinos were killed every single day in 2017 just in South Africa alone, so make sure you help conservation efforts by donating to Rhino projects while you are there, and turn off your geo-tagging when posting photos of rhinos in African parks.
African Leopard
The most elusive of the Big Five, this solitary cat is mostly nocturnal and is difficult to 'spot' during the day. Absolutely stunning creatures, they are most often found in trees so remember to look up when trying to find them! They can jump an impressive 10m high whilst carrying a small antelope in their mouths, and leopard territories can often come across quite creepy with leftovers dangling from branches.
Like lions, they are facing increasing habitat loss which leads to conflicts with humans that rarely end well for the leopard. Many are killed by farmers protecting their livestock and leopards are one of the few game species that lives outside of national parks. Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa is renowned for being the best place to see leopards.
Cape Buffalo
There are four sub-species of Cape Buffalo, but no matter which one you are looking at they are deceptively quick, powerful and extremely dangerous. Buffalo have been known to kill lions and are said to have killed more hunters than any of the other Big Five, many even argue they are the most dangerous animal in Africa.
Buffalo continue to be targeted by big game hunters, and are also susceptible to bovine-like diseases such as bovine tuberculosis. They are heavily dependent on water and drink a lot each day, so you won't find them in places like Etosha which is too dry.
Hells Gate National Park in Kenya is a great place to get up close to buffalo, as you can cycle through the park and watch them graze at the side of the road.
Have you seen The Big Five?
Which other animals do you love to photograph when on safari?
Read Next: My Top 12 African Game Reserves
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