The Big Five

September 16, 2024: The Big Five are at the heart of nearly every wild Africa story.  For big game hunters, these great and terrible beasts are the most dangerous game.

“He was 50 to 60 yards off, his head low, his eyes staring right down my soul… I never saw such malevolence in the eyes of any animal or human being, before or since.”

Robert Ruark

The Big Five

In the 1800-1900, “Darkest Africa” drew big game hunters from around the globe, each hoping to bag the Big Five: Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Lion and Cape Buffalo.  Large, fast, and unpredictable, these beasts were the most dangerous to stalk afoot in the bush.  With each encounter, there was a very real probability that the hunter would not return.

Today, tourists stalk with cameras, their telescopic lenses with far larger bore than any rifle.  And since Serengeti visitors are confined to vehicles when outside of camp, all parties are safer!

Here are our Big Five trophies from the Tanzania Safari.

Elephant: Titan of the Savannah

Wild elephants are an amazing sight.  A parade (that is what a herd is called) is led by a matriarch with her sisters, daughters and their young.  Gentle giants, they amble the forests and plains, grazing constantly.  We felt awe with each encounter. 

The big tuskers are another story.  They wander alone or in pairs, generally peaceful.  But in musth (from the ancient Persian word for “intoxicated”), their testosterone rises until hormones are literally leaking out of their head.  Bulls become incredibly aggressive in musth – we saw one old bull chasing a herd of hundreds of buffalo and zebra, whirling and charging in a mad rage.  I can’t imagine stalking that crazed colossus on foot.

Ali, our guide, wisely turned our truck around at a distance and left that bad boy alone. 

Leopard: Camouflaged Killer

Leopards are incredibly strong, often hauling their kill up into a tree, preferring to eat in peace away from lions and hyenas.  They are rare, and difficult to spot (yes, pun intended).  We were fortunate to (mostly) see five, including two dramatic hunts. I was shocked with the speed of the big cat as it chased, veered and tackled a warthog.  Death came swiftly.

Rhino: Vanishing Relic

The black rhino looks like a prehistoric holdover, a neolithic cave painting come to life.  They are massive, with a towering horn and   aggressive temperament. They have the highest rate of mortal combat of any mammal. However they are no match for modern poachers, who continue to slaughter them for their horns.  Rhinos are now the rarest of Africa’s Big Five, nearly extinct. They are protected round the clock in the Ngorongoro Crater, where about 20 remain. 

A group of rhinos is called a “crash,” but there are few crashes to be found these days.  We were fortunate to spot a pair at a distance through powerful binoculars, and two lone animals near enough for the telephoto lens to capture the moment.

Lion: King of Beasts

Lions are rightfully called “the king of beasts,” and to me are the most frightening of the Big Five.  It was chilling to watch lionesses hunt.  They signaled each other at a distance by waving their tails, coordinating as they stalked in the tall grass.   

Males, particularly brothers, form strong bonds.  They often lead a pride together, protecting the females, cubs and kills.  These brother groups, when driven off by other males, stick together for survival.

If you want a fright, I recommend the movie “Ghost in the Darkness.” It is based on the true story of two rogue male lions as documented in the book “The Man-Eaters of Tsavo.”  But do not watch or read right before safari -really!

Cape Buffalo: The Most Dangerous Game

Natives say they would rather meet a lion in the bush than a bull Cape Buffalo.  Why? When big bulls are too old to keep up with the herd, they form their own little groups of two or three.  Without the security of the herd (and without love), the old bulls are generally pissed-off and assume everything is a threat.  They will charge at the drop of a hat.  Imagine a ton (or two, or three) of hooves and horns charging out of the brush.

“It wasn’t going to be a game, shooting that buffalo. If he charged us in the dark, we couldn’t suddenly decide we didn’t like big game hunting and go back to camp. The buffalo would put all his chips in the pot. It would be either his life or ours.“

Ralph Hammer

Even More Dangerous: Hippos and Crocs

Hippos are fiercely territorial and will charge even an elephant.  They kill about 3,000 people each year in Africa, far more than the Big Five combined.  Crocodiles are similarly lethal.  So why isn’t the list “The Big Seven?”  Well, hippos and crocs are largely confined to water, not ideal for big game hunters who prefer stalking to canoeing I guess.  That said, stay away from the water!

The Deadliest Animal in Africa

You may be surprised, but there is one animal, not on this list, who kills over a half-million people in Africa each year.  And in this case, the female of the species is deadly. 

You have probably stalked and killed one yourself…  

So, when you go on safari, bring the bug spray, and take your malaria pills!