Best Time to See the Big Five in Africa

Best time to go for a Big five safari in Africa

The Big 5 animals are Africa’s undisputed super stars and they include;

Elephant
Rhinoceros
Buffalo
Lion
Leopard

The best time to see the Big Five in Africa is during the dry seasons typically from June to October and December to February. During this time, the vegetation dries up and thins out, making it easier to spot buffaloes, elephants and rhinos. This contrasts with the rainy seasons when the vegetation is lush and herds go deeper into the bushes to find food, making it hard to spot.

The dry seasons also mean you will easily see herds congregating around the remaining water sources. Most animals drink every day so the dry heat forces them to keep around the remaining water sources.

Predator action: Expect more dramatic predator activity during these months. Lions can easily be spotted as they chase down their prey that feed on vegetation. Leopards, which spend much of their time in trees will have fewer leaves to cover them, making it easier to spot them. The scanty vegetation during these months makes it a great time for predator-prey interaction.

Best Time to See the Big Five By Region

1. East Africa

Tanzania and Kenya: June to October is the best time for seeing the Big Five in Tanzania and Kenya, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Serengeti and Ngorongoro in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya are premier Big Five viewing destinations with Ngorongoro offering opportunities to tick off all the Big five animals in a single 4–6 hour game drive.

If you’re short on time but would want to see the Big Five in Tanzania and East Africa, the Ngorongoro crater is your best bet. It is widely considered the best place to see the Big Five in the shortest time possible.

From July to October, Serengeti and Masai Mara can provide the best combination of spotting the Big 5 animals and witnessing the famous Great Wildebeest Migration since August is the peak window for the dramatic river crossings. January to March is also excellent for the calving season—shorter grass and predator activity.

Uganda and Rwanda: The dry seasons from June to September and December to February are the best times to see the Big 5 in Uganda and Rwanda, providing easier access of key Big Five national parks, including Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls, Kidepo Valley, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Akagera.

The same dry seasons from June to September and December to February coincide with the best time for gorilla trekking and hiking through forests in both countries, making a good combination for a comprehensive Big Five and primate tracking safari.

2. Southern Africa

South Africa, Botswana and Namibia: May to October is the best time to visit Southern Africa. During this time, scarcity of water due to less rain forces wildlife to congregate around permanent water sources, making it easier to spot them.

Madikwe Private Game Reserve, a rehabilitated former farmland in South Africa is one of the best places to see all the Big 5. Visitors can also enjoy the comforts of luxury lodges and benefit from cooperation between different guides. It pairs well with Sun City, Africa’s largest resort.

Other parks include Kruger National Park, a staple on both beginner and seasoned traveller’s maps, and the neighboring Sabi Sands Game Reserve, which also offers some of Africa’s most luxurious lodges.

Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana are best visited during the dry season from May to October, with August to October offering peak sightings. Visitors can expect to spot high elephant concentrations at the Chobe and Zambezi rivers during these times.

The ideal time to see the Big Five in Namibia is the dry season from May to October. However, you’ll have to travel to multiple regions and national parks as the Big Five cannot all be found in one place. Etosha National Park is the premier spot for spotting four of the Big 5 while buffalo can be sighted in the Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi Region) or Waterberg Plateau.

The best time to see the Big 5 in Zimbabwe is during the dry season, from June to October. Hwange National Park is famed for its large elephant herds and offers an excellent chance to spot four of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.

Matobo Hills National Park is home to the endangered white rhinoceros and a great place to see these “African unicorns” in a rugged, mountainous landscape. Mana Pools also offers the chance to spot lions, buffalo, elephants, and leopards in a stunning wilderness setting.

Conclusively, Africa remains a year-round Big 5 safari destination, with each season offering its own unique highlights. Once you understand the differences between the dry and wet seasons and the impact of other experiences, it’s easier to choose the right time to go for a Big Five safari in Africa.