The top destination for wildlife enthusiasts, Kenya is a dream come true for many. It offers exciting safari experiences including the big five Kenya safaris. It is highly suggested to opt for the Kenya jungle safari for a unique vacation. Want to be a eye witness to see the big five of Africa then book our Masai Mara Tour Packages to explore this chapter.
The Big Five Kenya Safari
The animals that safari-goers look forward to the most are the Big Five. These iconic wildlife species are the signature animals to spot during game drives. Historically, the Big Five were tracked and hunted by trophy hunters, while also known to be some of the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today, however, they are tracked to observe them closely in their natural habitats.
The big five consist of the African lion, leopard, cape buffalo, the African elephant, and the endangered rhino. This group is known to be majestic all over the world. However, their population has dwindled considerably due to various reasons like poaching, climate change, and other environmental issues. Although certain countries in the African continent allow visitors to spot this group during safaris, the highest chance is in the East African country of Kenya.
Due to conservation initiatives and practices, there has been an attempt to safeguard the Big Five population in Kenya. Ultimately, Kenya offers excellent sightings of the big five in East Africa.
Here are some details about the Big Five Group
African Lion
The national animal of Kenya is the African lion, symbolizing courage and power. Being one of the most dangerous predators and hunters, lions are popular to spot during safaris. They are considered the king of the jungle and usually hunt herbivore animals. Lions are sneaky when it comes to hunting. They either ambush or move quietly towards their prey. Once they are within striking distance, the lion pounces on the prey and bites at its throat or muzzle to strangle it. During safaris, the dramatic hunting of the lions is easily one of the most thrilling sights to witness.
Lions reside in groups called pride, which consists of 12-15 lions. It is led by one male lion who acts as a leader. However, the female lioness of the group hunts and feeds the members of the pride. Lions are easily the most iconic animal to spot during safaris.
The Leopard
Elusive and stealthy, the leopard is the enigmatic animal of the Big Five. They are known for their solitary behavior and spend most of their time alone rather than in groups. The lion and the leopard are both African big cat animals along with a few other species. However, leopards are also the smaller species of the big cat family. Yet, this doesn’t prevent them from being ferocious hunters. Leopards can run up to 58 km/ hour and jump up to 6 meters tall. Their hunting technique involves ambushing or stalking. Once they are close enough, leopards run up to the prey, pounce on it, and bite at the nape or throat.
Leopards are recognizable due to the black spots covering its body referred to as rosettes. Shaped like a rose, the rosettes help the leopard camouflage in the wild either for stalking potential prey or as a defense mechanism. During a safari, spotting a leopard requires keen eyes, patience, and some luck. They can be easily spotted in the night due to their nocturnal behavior or during the day napping on tree tops.
African Elephant
Elephants are the largest land species in the world and one that is commonly seen during safaris. Out of the three species of elephant found, the African bush elephant is the biggest. Adult elephants can reach up to 13 feet in height and weigh up to 11 tons. Elephants live in herds and are led by the female elephants, preferably the eldest called the matriarch. The elephants are herbivores and spend most of their time foraging.
African elephants are found in various natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Their size and strength captivate safari goers every time they are spotted. The two main highlights of the elephants are their trunk and tusk. Their trunk can lift up to 400 pounds at the same time while they use their tusk to dig roots and for protection. The African bush elephant can typically live up to 70 years in the wilderness.
Cape Buffalo
Despite slightly resembling a cow, Cape buffalos are intimidating and threatening to encounter during safaris. Cape buffalos are extremely social and live in groups with up to 2000 members. They are usually found near a close by water source, especially during the dry season. Being herbivores, they dedicate much of their time to graze on fresh grass, leaves, and other plants.
The curved horns of the cape buffalo are significant to the species. They are an indicator of gender and age in these animals. Cape buffalo are dangerous once they are cornered or wounded. They are usually preyed upon by lions, and crocodiles and even killed by elephants. However, if a buffalo calf is threatened, the adult buffalos come together to protect it. They charge at an astonishing speed and are known to kill predators like lions.
Rhino
The black and white rhinos are an endangered species in the animal kingdom. Spotting them is rare but not impossible in Kenya. Due to conservation efforts, Kenya has protected a small population of rhinos in its parks and reserves. Black rhinos are smaller than their white counterparts. Moreover, black rhinos have hooked upper lips while white have square lips. They are also herbivores which means plants are their main diet. After the elephant, rhinos are the second largest land mammal found in the world.
An adult rhino weighs approximately 700 kgs or 1500 pounds. However, despite their size, they can run at a speed of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The major threat to rhinos is caused due to their horns. These horns are considered a symbol of wealth and are believed to cure illnesses. However, the demand for the horns has increased poaching, leaving rhinos extremely vulnerable. That is why, witnessing rhinos in their natural habitats is a humbling experience in Kenya.
Where to spot the Big Five in Kenya
There are many parks and conservancies to spot the Big Five in Kenya. Maasai Mara is the top place to embark on a big five Kenya safari. Amboseli National Park is another spot to see this group, especially large herds of elephants. The huge Tsavo National Park allows ample opportunities to explore and track them. Lake Nakuru is an excellent park to see rhinos grazing in the wilderness while the unspoiled Lewa Conservancy is home to plentiful lions and leopards.
A Big Five Kenya safari is a must to experience when you visit the country. Make sure that your bucket list includes witnessing the big five during your Kenya jungle safari.
The big five consist of the African lion, leopard, cape buffalo, the African elephant, and the endangered rhino. This group is known to be majestic all over the world. However, their population has dwindled considerably due to various reasons like poaching, climate change, and other environmental issues. Although certain countries in the African continent allow visitors to spot this group during safaris, the highest chance is in the East African country of Kenya.
Due to conservation initiatives and practices, there has been an attempt to safeguard the Big Five population in Kenya. Ultimately, Kenya offers excellent sightings of the big five in East Africa.
