| When looking at various options for a Kruger Park | | | | vulnerable to extinction. The good news is that |
| safari in South Africa, we all hope that during our | | | | there are currently 10 000 elephants and 20 000 |
| stay in the serene bushveld, with its picturesque | | | | buffalo in the Kruger Park and these numbers are |
| sunsets and lush landscape, we will be lucky | | | | positive as long as they are maintained. The fact |
| enough to spot the Big 5 in action. We envisage | | | | that the number of Elephants in the Kruger Park |
| seeing elephants drinking from the river or | | | | is so high is very beneficial because in the 1920s, |
| watching a lion stalk a gazelle all within metres of | | | | there were said to be as few as 120 Elephants in |
| our Kruger Park Lodge. Many of us, however, | | | | South Africa. Another Big 5 animal that was in |
| would not be able to list the big five if asked. Do | | | | danger of being extinct in the past was the Rhino, |
| we know why these animals are named the Big | | | | but now these majestic creatures are thriving in |
| 5? | | | | game parks. The Big 5 cats are not as lucky, with |
| The Big 5 game consists of the Lion, African | | | | their population numbers remaining small but stable |
| Elephant, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and the Black or | | | | for now. |
| White Rhinoceros. The term was coined many | | | | Many safaris offer specialised tours that focus on |
| years ago by local hunters in South Africa and | | | | Big 5 sightings. These tours normally take place |
| refers to the five animals that are near to | | | | very early in the morning or late at night, when |
| impossible to hunt on foot. Many have assumed | | | | some of the animals tend to hunt. There are |
| that the Big 5 were given this name due to their | | | | many more animal sightings on offer when you |
| size and strength and not their impossibility to be | | | | partake in a South African safari, and hopefully |
| hunted. | | | | you will be lucky enough to see other wildlife such |
| As well as being difficult to hunt, the Big 5 are | | | | as Hippos, Giraffes, Wildebeest and Zebras. |
| among the most dangerous animals on South | | | | It is beneficial to know the background of the Big |
| African soil. Even though these animals are | | | | 5 and why they are protected in our game |
| dangerous, some of the Big 5 have been | | | | reserves. |