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Lion and leopard
The Maasai Mara conservancies and central Serengeti have some of Africa's highest big-cat densities. Leopards favour riverine woodland and kopjes.
Travel guide · Wildlife
Big Five safari guide
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — and where to find them.
Private guide & vehicle
Never shared with strangers
Park fees in the price
Line-by-line proforma
Real camp availability
Checked before we quote
50% deposit secures it
Balance paid closer to travel
The Big Five was a hunters' term; today it is a useful checklist. Rhino is the hardest, so plan at least one reserve where they are protected.
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Elephant
Amboseli is famous for large tuskers beneath Kilimanjaro; Tarangire hosts huge dry-season herds.
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Rhino
Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Nakuru in Kenya, and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, give the best chances.
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Buffalo
Common across most parks — often found in large herds near water.
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Why rhino is hardest
Rhino were poached close to extinction and now survive mainly in guarded sanctuaries. Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Ngorongoro Crater give the best chances of black and white rhino.
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A Big Five itinerary
Seven nights across Laikipia (rhino), a Mara conservancy (lion and leopard) and Amboseli (elephant) covers all five in Kenya. In Tanzania, Ngorongoro plus the Serengeti does the same.
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Beyond the Big Five
Cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, hippo and hyena often become guests' favourite sightings. Ask your guide about the 'Little Five' too.
Planning big five safari guide?
Get a free, costed itinerary with real availability. No payment and no commitment until you are happy.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see all Big Five in one park?
Ngorongoro Crater and the Maasai Mara ecosystem both hold all five, though rhino sightings are never certain.
How many days to see the Big Five?
Six to eight nights across two or three areas gives strong odds.
Why is it called the Big Five?
The term comes from hunters naming the five most dangerous animals to track on foot.
Why settle for a brochure safari
Plan big five safari guide with a team that plans it around you
- Private guide and vehicle
- Named stays and itemised costs
- Availability checked before confirmation
Simple, no obligation
How planning big five safari guide works
- 1
Tell us the basics
Dates, who is travelling, budget and what you most want to see. Two minutes in the planner or a short message.
- 2
Get a costed itinerary
A day-by-day route with named camps, flights, park fees and a clear total — plus alternatives if dates are tight.
- 3
Refine, then secure
Change anything until it feels right. A 50% deposit holds your camps; nothing is booked until you say so.
Questions about big five safari guide
Is the itinerary really free?
Yes. You receive a costed, day-by-day itinerary with no payment and no obligation. You only pay once you decide to secure the trip.
What does the quoted price include?
Accommodation, meals as listed, your private guide and vehicle, park and conservancy fees and the transfers or flights shown. Every inclusion and exclusion is listed line by line on your proforma.
How do I secure my safari?
A 50% deposit holds your camps and flights. The balance is due closer to departure, and we send reminders well ahead of the due date.
Can I change the itinerary?
Anything can change before you book: camps, number of nights, the order of parks, adding a beach finish or switching between luxury and ultra-luxury.
Is it a group tour?
No. Every journey is private — your own guide and vehicle, leaving when you are ready and stopping when you want.
Every Perch Africa journey is built from scratch.
Tell us your dates, your travelling party and your budget and we will come back with a costed itinerary, real camp availability and a clear price — no templates.