Tanzania stands out as one of the best safari destinations in Africa, offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. The term “big five” was coined by big game hunters, not to denote an animal’s size, but to describe how challenging it was to hunt these creatures. Fortunately, the big five are no longer pursued for sport in Africa, and in Tanzania, they are now captured with cameras rather than firearms.
Big Five Animals of Tanzania
The big five animals are: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, and Leopard.
Elephant
Elephants, the largest land mammals on Earth, are distinctively larger in Tanzania than their Asian counterparts. There are three species of elephants: Asian Elephant, African Forest Elephant, and African Bush Elephant. These herbivores use their trunks for eating, drinking, and breathing. They often live in family groups led by either bulls or a matriarch and can reach up to 70 years of age in the wilderness. Known for their intelligence, elephants’ cognitive abilities are often compared to those of primates and cetaceans. You can spot African elephants in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Unfortunately, the African bush elephant is endangered, while the African forest elephant is critically endangered due to ivory poaching, which drives high prices on the black market.
Rhinos
Rhinos, also known as Rhinoceros, are among the largest land mammals on Earth. They possess small brains, thick skin formed in layers, and one or two horns. Rhinos are herbivores that primarily feed on leaves. Unfortunately, they are facing the threat of extinction due to heavy poaching for their horns, which fetch high prices on the black market. The main consumers are from Vietnam and China, who use rhino horns in traditional medicine and other purposes, despite a lack of medical evidence. There are two rhino species worldwide: the black rhino and the white rhino, distinguished by the shape of their lips (square for white rhinos and sharp-pointed for black rhinos). While rhinos have been heavily poached, conservation efforts are helping to protect these magnificent creatures. In Tanzania, you can only see rhinos in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Buffalo
The African buffalo, also known as the Cape buffalo, is an incredibly strong and aggressive animal. Hunting a buffalo is a tricky and dangerous endeavor, sometimes even requiring a group of lions to bring one down.
Leopard
Leopards, members of the cat family, are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, southern Russia, western and central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. These territorial and solitary animals, except during mating, have distinctive long bodies, short legs, and large skulls. Leopards can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h, and melanistic leopards are often referred to as black panthers. Their spotted patterns are believed to be an adaptation to their habitat. African leopards are elusive and challenging to spot, often hiding during safaris. They are nocturnal hunters that rest in trees during the day, and they have a habit of hoisting their prey onto tree branches. In Tanzania, you may encounter leopards in Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Unfortunately, leopards are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to habitat loss.
Lion
Lions have rounded heads, broad-chested bodies, and round ears. Male lions are larger than their female counterparts. Lions primarily inhabit savannah grasslands and shrublands and are diurnal animals, although they may adapt to nocturnal activity when feeling threatened. Often referred to as the “King of the Jungle” due to their fearless predatory nature, lions boast a population of approximately 16,000 in Tanzania. They live in prides dominated by male lions, with a pride consisting of a few males, females, and cubs. Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is unique because its lions are known to climb trees. While lions mainly prey on ungulates, sometimes they scavenge and have been known to hunt humans, although they do not primarily seek to consume humans. Lions spend most of their day resting. Lions have been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List since 1996 and are native to Africa and India.
