Most people who go on a safari want to see the Big 5 – but which animals make up the Big 5?

In times gone by European hunters used to search out the most difficult to hunt animals in Africa which led safari clubs to create a list of five key animals that were a challenge to shoot. These were considered difficult for a number of reasons, including ferocity, visibility and elusiveness.

Nowadays most people simply want to get close enough to the Big 5 to be able to photograph them. Members of the Big 5 are as follows:

Lion. Lions really are the kings of the savannah and are at the top of the food chain. As such they need no introduction. Lions are widespread throughout southern and eastern Africa and you’ll have a good chance of seeing them in most safari locations.

Black Rhino. Now critically endangered, the black rhino is not actually black, but more off-white. Despite its huge bulk and dangerous reputation, rhinos are herbivores who would much rather graze on some grass than attack a person. There are few rhinos left in the wild due to a large increase in poachers hunting them for their horns.

Cape Buffalo. The African buffalo is a long-horned bovine, widespread throughout safari destinations. Despite being a bovine the buffalo is actually the most dangerous of the Big 5 and will attack anyone who tries to attack it.

Leopard. These elusive felines are nocturnal and secretive, making them probably the most difficult member of the Big 5 to actually spot. When you do see one, though, chances are it will be lounging in a tree at sunset, having just eaten its dinner.

African Elephant. Elephants, as most people know, are large, thick skinned herbivores with long trunks and tusks. Elephants are numerous in Africa but nevertheless can be hard to spot in some areas due to their ability to hide in bushes and long grass. Despite being widespread, elephants face a growing threat from poachers, who hunt them for their ivory.