Big 5 Safaris in South Africa. Our guide to the best destinations for your South African big 5 safaris. An extraordinary encounter with South Africa’s bushveld awaits you when you visit a Game Lodge in one of our nine provinces. Come and expose yourself to the Big 5 in their natural habitat. Big Five game animals are the Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant, and Cape Buffalo. First of all this is an experience that is a must for any nature-lover. Seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat is probably one of the most desired experiences when it comes to visiting South Africa.
African Spirit Game Lodge
African Spirit Game Lodge, situated 12 km's west of Mkuze, invites guests to experience true luxury and warm African hospitality. The lodge is situated within the Manyoni Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, against the backdrop of the Lebombo Mountains.
Amakhala Game Reserve
The Amakhala Game Reserve located in the malaria free Eastern Cape of South Africa began in 1999 as a joint conservation venture between the owners of six lodges who are direct descendants of the original Frontier settlers some five generations ago and arrived here with the British settlers of 1820.
Amakhosi Private Game Reserve
The Amakhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the Amakhosi Private Game Reserve, on the banks of the Mkuze River, right in the heart of Zululand. It boasts six luxurious river and two honeymoon suites, in complete harmony with their surroundings.
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Aquila Private Game Reserve, offering big 5 safaris two hours from Cape Town, makes it easy for you no matter what your time constraints are, we offer half day, full day and overnight safari package options!
Bayete Zulu
Bayete Zulu is perfectly placed in the heart of the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, which is considered to be one of the most densely stocked and ecologically balanced in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The big five roam freely around the reserve along with a wide variety of other wildlife.
Cheetah Ridge Luxury Safari Lodge
Situated in the southern section of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, Cheetah Ridge Luxury Safari Lodge is an unrivalled bush retreat, offering fully-catered, accommodation in 10 luxury suites, as well as a sumptuously-appointed family suite which sleeps up to six people.
Chitwa Chitwa
Chitwa Chitwa is more than just a luxury private game lodge in the bush. It's a holistic and sensorial experience which starts at sunrise and captures the very essence of the magnificent wildlife heritage and natural landscape of Africa before sunset.
Elandela Private Game Reserve
Elandela Private Game Reserve is the perfect photo safari destination if your desire is superior game viewing opportunities - be it on a walking safari conducted by our amiable, knowledgeable guides or be it by way of a specially equipped all terrain vehicle.
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge
Elephant Rock Private Safari Lodge is situated in the big 5, malaria free, Nambiti Private Game Reserve near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.
Kapama River Lodge
Kapama Private Game Reserve is an African Eden. Sweeping across 13 000 hectares of savannah and riverine forest, Kapama represents a piece of Africa as it used to be. With the mighty Drakensberg mountains in the distance and iconic Kruger National Park to the east,
Kariega Private Game Reserve and Safari Lodges
Kariega Game Reserve is a family-owned and operated Big 5 private safari reserve located in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The reserve is situated along the Garden Route, making it the perfect South African safari destination to compliment a Cape Town visit and a trip along the country?s beautiful coast.
KARULA
Kapama Karula - Beyond Luxury With its light, airy, open spaces and views from every angle, Karula is truly the pride of Kapama as our flagship lodge. Effortlessly elegant and stylish, Karula will steal the breath of even the most seasoned traveller.
Kings Camp
Situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kings Camp faces an open savanna plain with a waterhole, which is frequented by a wide variety of wildlife both day and night. As part of the greater Kruger National Park,
LEOPARD MOUNTAIN SAFARI LODGE
Our game drives take you through overall well stocked, unspoilt bushveld and endless rivers winding through the indigenous forest, a birders paradise. Our guided walking safaris offer an intimate encounter with the African bushveld and wildlife,
Londolozi Game Reserve
Londolozi is one of South Africa?s original private game reserves. A pillar of global ecotourism, we are also a proudly family-run business. The word londolozi comes from the Zulu word and means ?protector of all living things?.
MABULA GAME LODGE
A Distinctly African Safari Destination. An Extraordinary encounter with South Africas bushveld awaits you at Mabula Game Lodge, located just two-and-a-half hours drive from Johannesburg in the Malaria Free Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province.
Many Game Lodges and Game Reserves have an abundance of wildlife means, therefore, you are more than likely to spot the big 5. South Africa is also home to many Private Game Reserves that offer Big 5 Safaris. Namely the: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino as well as the buffalo that make up this list. Game drives are in general undertaken in an open safari vehicle with a driver/guide. These guides have extensive experience as well as an intimate knowledge of the area. Guides are experts on the local game movements as well as factual information and other ecological aspects of the region. They can furnish answers to your fauna as well as flora questions.
Big 5 Safaris
In South Africa, the big five (Big 5) game animals are the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and finally the rhinoceros. Furthermore the term “big five game” was coined by big-game hunters. They were referring to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt while on foot. Subsequently, the term was adopted by Game reserves, Safari lodges, Game lodges and safari tour operators for marketing purposes. The term is used by most tourists as well as wildlife guides that discuss South African wildlife and tourism. A Big 5 Safaris is always recommended.
In short, the Big Five should be on every bodies bucket list. You are however limited to Southern Africa and even then, probably only South Africa. For this reason, we make it easy to find your Big 5 Safaris experience as well as other wildlife. We list several uniquely situated Game Lodges that can assist you with a Big 5 experience. In addition to the wildlife experience, you will also find great people passionate about saving our heritage.
While being on your Big Five experience you are sure to enjoy some spectacular birding.
A South African safari is truly a unique experience and therefore we encourage everybody to try and see the Big 5 once in their lifetime.
The 1990 and later releases of South African rand banknotes feature a different big-five animal on each denomination.
