Kenya is a world renowned attraction for its rich abundance
of wildlife which can be found in its wonderful national parks and reserves. It
is an incredible sight to witness the variety of animals in their natural
habitats. If you’re lucky enough to go on a Kenya safari trip, you would probably hope to see the animals known
collectively as the big 5 – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos.
The Lion
The lion remains Kenya's most popular tourist attraction on the country's many African wildlife safaris. The lion is the largest of Africa’s big cats with an unmistakable roar. It's no surprise that the lion attracts so many people to Kenya for safaris. Its impressive stature, sheer power and renowned hunting prowess make lions fascinating to observe.
Unlike most big cats, lions are very social animals, living in prides of up to thirty at a time. Each pride will typically have up to 3 males, unmistakable with their long manes. The lionesses typically do the majority of the hunting as well as looking after the young. Lions are ferocious hunters, but not considered dangerous to humans unless they are wounded or threatened.
One of the best places to see lions on a Kenya safari tour is at the Masai Mara National Reserve. Just imagine the thrilling experience of an encounter with a wild lion. To hear the incredible roar of a lion during the night, in the middle of a remote part of Africa, would be an experience you would never forget.
The Leopard
The leopard is instantly recognisable with its spots. The leopard is the most adaptable of all the big cats, able to survive in a wide variety of habitats, from desert to tropical rain forests. This is the reason that the leopard is the most popular (in number) of all Africa's big cats.
Leopards are nocturnal, hunting by night while spending most the day resting, usually draped on tree limbs or lying in thick undergrowth. Consequently they're difficult to spot, and this gives them an added advantage when hunting for prey. Adult leopards are solitary and territorial and will only stay with other leopards long enough to mate.
The Elephant
African elephants are the largest land animals on the planet, slightly larger than Indian elephants and have noticeably larger ears. The elephant can live up to 70 years. An elephant's trunk is really a long nose used for smelling, breathing, drinking, and also for snatching food and other objects. Elephants love water and enjoy showering by sucking water into their trunks and spraying it all over themselves. Afterwards, they often spray their skin with a protective coating of dust.
Elephants eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark and an adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds of food in a single day. Elephants don’t sleep very much, and they roam over great distances while foraging for the large quantities of food that they require to sustain their massive bodies.
Elephants have tusks they use to dig for food and water and strip bark from trees. Since ivory is considered so valuable, many elephants have been killed for their tusks. This trade is illegal today, but it has not been completely eliminated, and some African elephant populations remain endangered.
The African elephants found in Kenya are not easily domesticated. The habitats of these beasts range from the Savannah, to Forest areas all the way to Wetlands. If you’re able to move around a lot on your safari trip, you will have a good chance of seeing the elephants in Kenya.
The Buffalo
The buffalo has a reputation of being a bad tempered beast. These huge ox-like creatures have some dangerous looking horns and have no hesitation in using them to get rid of any kind of threats including humans. Buffalos can usually be found near water but also in Savannah areas, like the Masai Mara in Kenya which is home to the largest buffalo herds. Large herds of buffalo gather on open grasslands and smaller groups tend to congregate in thick forest. They are also sometimes known to chase lions around and this can be an incredible sight to witness on a safari trip.
Buffalo live in herds of several hundred led by one dominant bull. However, old defeated buffalo bulls are the most dangerous. These buffalos either live alone or with other bulls, and often lie in wait to ambush people.
The Rhino
There are two different species of rhinos; the black and the white. Both species are extremely rare now with the black rhino being the rarest. Rhinos can live up to 40 years and they weigh up to 2 tons. Their habitat varies from dense forest to open scrub where they feed on the leaves of bushes and trees. While their eyesight is not so good, this is compensated with an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Both the black and white rhino have two horns, the longer of which sits at the front of the nose.
Rhinos usually live alone or in pairs. The closest rhino relationship is between a female and her calf, lasting between 2 and 4 years. Since they are an endangered species, the rhinos may be the most difficult to spot when on safari in Kenya.
In summary, the big 5 animals can all be seen in their natural environment if you are on a Kenya safari . Most safari tour operators will include visits to various Kenya safari camps with different habitats to give you a complete picture of the wildlife and a better chance of seeing the big 5. Visitors should also remember that they are visiting their homes and to respect the animals’ habitats.
The Lion
The lion remains Kenya's most popular tourist attraction on the country's many African wildlife safaris. The lion is the largest of Africa’s big cats with an unmistakable roar. It's no surprise that the lion attracts so many people to Kenya for safaris. Its impressive stature, sheer power and renowned hunting prowess make lions fascinating to observe.
Unlike most big cats, lions are very social animals, living in prides of up to thirty at a time. Each pride will typically have up to 3 males, unmistakable with their long manes. The lionesses typically do the majority of the hunting as well as looking after the young. Lions are ferocious hunters, but not considered dangerous to humans unless they are wounded or threatened.
One of the best places to see lions on a Kenya safari tour is at the Masai Mara National Reserve. Just imagine the thrilling experience of an encounter with a wild lion. To hear the incredible roar of a lion during the night, in the middle of a remote part of Africa, would be an experience you would never forget.
The Leopard
The leopard is instantly recognisable with its spots. The leopard is the most adaptable of all the big cats, able to survive in a wide variety of habitats, from desert to tropical rain forests. This is the reason that the leopard is the most popular (in number) of all Africa's big cats.
Leopards are nocturnal, hunting by night while spending most the day resting, usually draped on tree limbs or lying in thick undergrowth. Consequently they're difficult to spot, and this gives them an added advantage when hunting for prey. Adult leopards are solitary and territorial and will only stay with other leopards long enough to mate.
The Elephant
African elephants are the largest land animals on the planet, slightly larger than Indian elephants and have noticeably larger ears. The elephant can live up to 70 years. An elephant's trunk is really a long nose used for smelling, breathing, drinking, and also for snatching food and other objects. Elephants love water and enjoy showering by sucking water into their trunks and spraying it all over themselves. Afterwards, they often spray their skin with a protective coating of dust.
Elephants eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark and an adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds of food in a single day. Elephants don’t sleep very much, and they roam over great distances while foraging for the large quantities of food that they require to sustain their massive bodies.
Elephants have tusks they use to dig for food and water and strip bark from trees. Since ivory is considered so valuable, many elephants have been killed for their tusks. This trade is illegal today, but it has not been completely eliminated, and some African elephant populations remain endangered.
The African elephants found in Kenya are not easily domesticated. The habitats of these beasts range from the Savannah, to Forest areas all the way to Wetlands. If you’re able to move around a lot on your safari trip, you will have a good chance of seeing the elephants in Kenya.
The Buffalo
The buffalo has a reputation of being a bad tempered beast. These huge ox-like creatures have some dangerous looking horns and have no hesitation in using them to get rid of any kind of threats including humans. Buffalos can usually be found near water but also in Savannah areas, like the Masai Mara in Kenya which is home to the largest buffalo herds. Large herds of buffalo gather on open grasslands and smaller groups tend to congregate in thick forest. They are also sometimes known to chase lions around and this can be an incredible sight to witness on a safari trip.
Buffalo live in herds of several hundred led by one dominant bull. However, old defeated buffalo bulls are the most dangerous. These buffalos either live alone or with other bulls, and often lie in wait to ambush people.
The Rhino
There are two different species of rhinos; the black and the white. Both species are extremely rare now with the black rhino being the rarest. Rhinos can live up to 40 years and they weigh up to 2 tons. Their habitat varies from dense forest to open scrub where they feed on the leaves of bushes and trees. While their eyesight is not so good, this is compensated with an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Both the black and white rhino have two horns, the longer of which sits at the front of the nose.
Rhinos usually live alone or in pairs. The closest rhino relationship is between a female and her calf, lasting between 2 and 4 years. Since they are an endangered species, the rhinos may be the most difficult to spot when on safari in Kenya.
In summary, the big 5 animals can all be seen in their natural environment if you are on a Kenya safari . Most safari tour operators will include visits to various Kenya safari camps with different habitats to give you a complete picture of the wildlife and a better chance of seeing the big 5. Visitors should also remember that they are visiting their homes and to respect the animals’ habitats.
