Simba Tours
Tanzania

The Big Five in Tanzania

Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino — in their wildest habitat.

Tanzania is the best Big Five destination in the world. Nowhere are your chances of seeing all five in one trip as high. Our guides Jonas and Collin know every park and every animal personally.

Meet the Big Five

🦁Big Five #1

Lion

Panthera leo

The king of the savanna is nowhere better observed than in Tanzania. The Serengeti has one of the world's largest lion populations, over 3,000 individuals. In the Ngorongoro Crater you often see them at close range — sometimes hunting right beside the road.

Best parks

SerengetiNgorongoro CraterTarangire
🐘Big Five #2

African elephant

Loxodonta africana

Tanzania has the largest elephant population in Africa. Tarangire is world-famous for its enormous herds — you can see up to 300 elephants in one day drinking at the Tarangire River. Even baby elephants are visible daily.

Best parks

TarangireSerengetiNgorongoro
🐃Big Five #3

African buffalo

Syncerus caffer

Buffalo travel in enormous herds of sometimes thousands of animals. Despite their calm appearance, they are one of Africa's most dangerous animals. They live throughout Tanzania — from the crater floor of Ngorongoro to the Serengeti plains.

Best parks

Ngorongoro CraterSerengetiArusha NP
🐆Big Five #4

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most elusive of the five. Leopards are solitary, nocturnal and masters of camouflage. They hide in treetops or among rocks during the day. Jonas knows exactly which trees in the Seronera Valley harbour the most leopards.

Best parks

Serengeti (Seronera)NgorongoroLake Manyara
🦏Big Five #5

Black rhinoceros

Diceros bicornis

The rarest of the five. Tanzania has a small but growing population of black rhinos. The Ngorongoro Crater is the most reliable place to see one — the protected environment of the crater provides safety for the animals. A sighting is always special.

Best parks

Ngorongoro Crater (most reliable)

Beyond the Big Five

Tanzania has much more than five iconic animals. These are the sightings that often surprise guests the most.

🐆
Cheetah
Ndutu & plains
🦒
Giraffe
Everywhere
🦛
Hippopotamus
Seronera River
🐊
Crocodile
Grumeti, Mara
🐺
Wild Dog
Rare — Serengeti
🦅
Eagle
Everywhere

Frequently asked questions

What are the Big Five animals?+
The Big Five are: lion, African elephant, African buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Originally the term referred to the five most dangerous animals to hunt. Today it is the term for the most sought-after wildlife sightings in Africa.
Where do you see the Big Five in Tanzania?+
The best parks for the Big Five are: Ngorongoro Crater (all five, including the rare black rhino), Serengeti (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo in large numbers) and Tarangire (elephant in impressive numbers). A combination of Ngorongoro + Serengeti gives you the best chance of all five.
When is the best time to see the Big Five?+
The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) are best for Big Five spotting. Vegetation is low, animals seek watering holes and are more visible. July–August is peak season with the Great Migration as a bonus.
Is the rhino still visible in Tanzania?+
Yes, but rare. Tanzania has a small population of black rhinos, mainly in the Ngorongoro Crater. A sighting is never guaranteed, but the crater offers the most reliable chance. Jonas knows exactly where they graze.

Plan your Big Five safari

Jonas and Collin know where the animals are — every season, every park.

Free travel proposal →