Top places to see the big five animals in Kenya
The Big Five are big animals in Africa that many people want to see on safari. They are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Long ago, hunters called them the Big Five because they were the hardest to hunt on foot. Other cool animals like giraffes and cheetahs are not part of the Big Five because they aren’t as dangerous.
People going on an African safari really want to see these animals up close. Kenya is one of the best places to do this. Many parks in Kenya have at least four, and sometimes even all five, of the Big Five. If you visit more than one park that complements each other, you have a better chance of seeing them all.
Iconic Africa Safaris brings you about 8 of Kenya’s top parks and which Big Five animals you will find there.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara is Kenya’s most popular safari spot. It’s really good for seeing the Big Five animals. The place is famous for the wildebeest migration from August to October. But even if it’s not migration time, you can still see lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo there. Seeing a black rhino might need some luck, especially in the west part called Mara Triangle.
Lake Nakuru National Park
This park is small but nice, and it goes well with visiting Masai Mara. It’s good for seeing rhinos, which are not so common in Masai Mara. You can easily see white rhinos on the flat land near the lake. Black rhinos like to hide in dense bushes. Lion and leopard are around but not a lot. You might also spot buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, and sometimes flamingos.
Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East is perfect if you want a short safari during a beach holiday. All the Big Five are here, but it’s mainly known for its big herds of elephant and buffalo. Lion and leopard are not guaranteed, and black rhinos are hard to find, maybe even gone from this area.
Tsavo West National Park
This park is the other half of Tsavo with Tsavo East. There are lots of elephants and buffaloes. You might have better luck seeing lions here than in Tsavo East. Tsavo West is okay for black rhinos, especially in a fenced sanctuary at Ngulia where about 80 of them are protected.
Amboseli National Park
If you love elephants, Amboseli is the place to be. Buffaloes are common too. But you won’t see many big cats or rhinos here. But don’t worry, the park’s view of Mt. Kilimanjaro is breathtaking. It makes up for the missing animals, especially if you’re also visiting other parks where lions, leopards, and rhinos are easier to find.
Aberdare National Park
This park is different because you mostly see animals from special hide-like places called ‘tree hotels’. Even so, you can see all the Big Five animals here. On a good night, you might see buffalo, elephant, black rhino, and even leopard and lion at the waterholes.
