The term Big Five comes from old hunting days, describing the five animals considered most dangerous to hunt on foot: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Today we hunt them only with cameras. Tanzania is one of the best countries in the world to see all five, and the northern circuit gives you a genuine chance of the full set.
Lion
Tanzania has one of the largest lion populations in Africa. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer superb, reliable lion viewing. In the Serengeti you may see prides on the plains or draped in the branches of trees; Ngorongoro's floor holds a dense population.
Elephant
Elephants are widespread. Tarangire is the standout, with huge herds gathering along the river in the dry season. You will also see them in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
Buffalo
African buffalo are common and often seen in large herds across all the northern parks. The Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti offer easy sightings.
Leopard
The most elusive of the five. Leopards are solitary, nocturnal and superbly camouflaged. The central Serengeti, with its rocky outcrops and riverine trees, offers your best chance; scan the branches of large trees, where leopards rest and stash their kills. Patience and a good guide make all the difference.
Rhino
The hardest to see, as black rhino numbers are low. The Ngorongoro Crater is the single best place in Tanzania for a rhino sighting, often at a distance across the floor. Bring binoculars.
Seeing all five
A well-planned northern-circuit safari of several days, combining the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, gives a real chance of all five, with rhino the least certain. No ethical operator can guarantee any wild sighting, but we know where to look and how to be patient.
