Apart from their obvious magnificence and allure, lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos embody the African spirit. A safari is never really complete without sightings of these wild giants.
Here is all you need to know about the big five in Tanzania.
Lions
Tanzania is hands-down the lion capital of the world. With around 16,000–17,000 lions roaming its parks and reserves, Tanzania is believed to hold close to 60% of the world’s remaining wild lion population. Lions can be found in Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ruaha as well as Tarangire, giving tourists many options to see the king of the jungle.
Elephants
The gentle giants are some of the most revered animals in the world. Elephants have had a rough history wherever they are found, the biggest pain point being heavy poaching. Despite that,
Tanzania still holds one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, with surveys indicating around 60,000 individuals nationwide, including 20,000 in the Nyerere–Selous–Mikumi ecosystem alone.
Tarangire National Park is famous for massive herds gathering around the Tarangire River, while Selous (Nyerere National Park) and Ruaha are also homes to elephants in Tanzania.
Cape Buffalo
Recent wildlife surveys estimate Tanzania’s buffalo population at about 225,000 individuals — the largest national population in Africa. With continental estimates around 400,000–500,000 buffaloes, this means Tanzania is home to more than half of all Cape buffalo on Earth.
Weighing up to 1,000 kg and with a lifespan of up to 25 years, you’ll meet them in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous), Ruaha National Park, and Katavi National Park.
Leopard
Leopards are elusive, but Tanzania gives you some of the best chances to spot them. The country is believed to hold around 24,000 leopards, covering 76–90% of Tanzania’s mainland — one of the widest leopard ranges in Africa. The Serengeti is leopard heaven, especially around kopjes (those rocky outcrops they love to drape themselves over), while Ngorongoro’s forests and Tarangire’s hills are also great places to spot them.
Black Rhino
Of all the Big Five, rhinos are the hardest to see and the most vulnerable. Tanzania is home to roughly 250 black rhinos, which is about 3–4% of Africa’s total black rhino population (currently estimated at just under 7,000). That makes every individual precious. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is your best chance at spotting one, though sightings are still rare and often depend on luck. Other places you can probably spot black rhinos include Serengeti National Park, where sightings are becoming more frequent, and the Grumeti Game Reserve. Deep in the south, Nyerere National Park holds a handful of rhinos, but they’re almost never seen on a regular safari. For a more certain encounter, head northeast to Mkomazi National Park, where a special sanctuary offers visitors a rare, up-close look inside a secure zone.
What makes Tanzania special isn’t just the numbers
Though they’re staggering for lions and buffalo, it’s the diversity of landscapes where these animals thrive. Your safari directly supports conservation and local communities, making seeing the Big Five more than a bucket-list item; it becomes a crucial contribution to protecting these animals and helping communities around.
Nothing beats a well organized, informative safari that takes into account your interests and merges with the deep understanding of the areas perfect to give you exactly what you’re asking for.
We are dedicated to always making sure your expectations are surpassed, get in touch with us to organize your next epic adventure.
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