The "Big Five"

Friday February 23, 2007

When you start researching an African safari, the term "Big Five" often crops up. The "Big 5" refers to the Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo. Why not the hippo, gorilla or giraffe you may ask? Are they not large as well? How about the cheetah -- that would be an animal you would probably like to see as much as a buffalo. Well, the term "big five" was actually coined by big game hunters (not safari tour operators). It refers to the difficulty in bagging these large animals, mostly due to their ferocity when cornered and shot at.

Click on the links below to get some information on each of the "big 5" and some of the countries and National Parks you can still see them in.

Image © David Hutchinson