Experience
Big 5 Safaris
About this experience
What to expect.
The most common reason anyone comes on a real African Safari, is to see the Big 5 - Elephants, Lion, Leopard, Rhino and African Buffalo. They are the "Coca Cola" of safari wildlife. Seeing them in their natural habitat - as opposed to a theme park or a zoo - is what makes safaris in Africa so special. While fairly common throughout parks and game reserves in Africa, there are certain regions where they abound, and below are some of the places one is almost guaranteed to see all 5, perhaps even in a day!
Itineraries
Safaris built around big 5.
Real, ready-to-tailor journeys our specialists have built for guests with this kind of trip in mind.
Most requested
- 3 days
- South Africa
- 1 lodge
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
3 Day Kapama Fly-In Safari
- 2 nights at Kapama River Lodge in the Greater Kruger
- Twice-daily game drives with ranger and tracker teams
- Big Five sightings across the Kapama Private Game Reserve
- Sundowners with views of the Drakensberg mountains
- Night drive back to the lodge spotting nocturnal wildlife
- Round-trip flights from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit included
- Big 5
- Ballooning
Per person, complete package, from
ZARÂ 36,000
Most requested
- 5 days
- 1 lodge
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
5 Day Fly-in Safari to Timbavati Game Reserve
- 4 nights at Motswari Private Game Lodge in Timbavati
- Twice-daily game drives in a Big Five reserve
- Chance to track Timbavati's famed white lions and leopards
- All meals, house wines, local spirits and beers included
- Round-trip flights from OR Tambo to Hoedspruit with transfers
- Big 5
- Family
Per person, complete package, from
ZARÂ 54,200
Most requested
Special
- 5 days
- South Africa
- 1 lodge
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
5 Day Luxury Sabi Sands Promotion
- 4 nights at 5-star Leopard Hills Lodge in the Sabi Sands
- Twice-daily game drives with off-roading for close-up Big Five sightings
- Guided bush walks and wildlife photography tips from expert rangers
- Private plunge pool, spa treatments and boma dinners under the stars
- Round-trip flights from OR Tambo to Skukuza and all transfers included
- Big 5
- Photo
Per person, complete package, from
ZARÂ 73,200 ZARÂ 117,000
Special
- 5 days
- South Africa
- 2 lodges
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
5 Day Luxury Kruger Park & Sabi Sand Safari
- 2 nights at Lukimbi Safari Lodge in southern Kruger National Park
- 2 nights at Idube Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve
- Twice-daily game drives in open Land Rovers with optional walking safaris
- Big Five viewing with Sabi Sand's renowned leopard sightings
- Spa treatments and downtime at private plunge pool suites
- Round-trip flights from Johannesburg and all road transfers included
- Big 5
- Luxury
Per person, complete package, from
ZARÂ 72,800 ZARÂ 75,800
Special
- 5 days
- 1 lodge
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
5 Day All-Inclusive Greater Kruger with Simbavati
- 4 nights at Simbavati River Lodge in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve
- Twice-daily game drives at dawn and dusk with expert rangers
- Big Five viewing with a chance of sighting the rare white lions
- Sundowners in the bush and spotlit night drives for nocturnal wildlife
- Wildlife viewing from your deck above the lodge waterhole
- Round-trip flights from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and all transfers
- Big 5
- Luxury
Per person, complete package, from
ZARÂ 51,400 ZARÂ 64,600
- 5 days
- 1 lodge
- Fly-in
- All-inclusive
5 Day Ulusaba All-Inclusive Fly-in Package
- 4 nights at 5-star Ulusaba Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand
- Twice-daily game drives across 13,500 hectares with dedicated ranger and tracker
- Big Five sightings plus leopard, wild dog and big cats
- Post-breakfast walking safaris and spa treatments between drives
- Private dining for up to 6 in the Safari Lodge wine cellar
- Round-trip flights from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga, all transfers included
- Big 5
- Luxury
Bespoke itinerary
Price on request
Tailored by a safari specialist
Where to stay
Lodges suited to big 5.
9 lodges
From US$590 pps · per night
Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection
Ngorongoro Crater
Specialist's pick
From ZAR 15,000 pps · per night
Wolwedans Dune Camp
Namibia
Specialist's pick
From ZAR 30,000 pps · per night
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Sabi Sand
Specialist's pick
From ZAR 26,400 pps · per night
Leopard Hills Game Reserve
Sabi Sand
Specialist's pick
From ZAR 27,000 pps · per night
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sand
Specialist's pick
From ZAR 13,600 pps · per night
Simbavati River Lodge
Timbavati
From ZAR 9,400 pps · per night
Amakhala Bukela Game Lodge
Amakhala
From ZAR 8,000 pps · per night
Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge
Amakhala
Imagery
Big 5 Safaris, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just come back.
"IZANNE our booking consultant made the booking process easy and was very helpful. Nothing was to much trouble and she was very prompt with anything we requested. Also big shout out to Bonnie as well. Sorry to hear she go…"
"Organisation was excellent and everything was thought of! Big thanks to Keith."
"Mel our booking agent has been absolutely fantastic. Nothing has been too much trouble for her no matter what time of day & how big or small our enquiry has been. She was brilliant when having to relocate us from Kruger…"
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your safari.
Tell us when, who's coming, and what you're hoping for. One specialist looks after the rest.