When going on safari, everyone wants to see the "Big 5". What are the "Big 5" and why are they called that? The "Big 5" is a term coined by big- game hunters in the late 1800's. The "Big 5" were chosen based on the difficulty and danger involved to hunt them. They are: the lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinoceros.
There is no guarantee that you will see the "Big 5" when you go on safari. But, if you are lucky to see the "Big 5" in their natural habitat like in the Okavango Delta, it is amazing. While you are not allowed to walk near the animals, vehicles can approach them without disturbing them. Thus, you might find yourself parked next to a pride of lions, which was our case. There were ten lions, two females and 8 cubs, relaxing and playing.
Elephants and cape buffalo were rather numerous, so we often saw them, but rhinos and leopards are more difficult to find. We were lucky as we were able to see two of each. One morning we saw a beautiful leopard in a tree. She was scouting the area for food. She had two young cubs to feed. Nearby were two groups of impalas. She was trying to decide which one to ambush. Leopards do not pursue long chases of their prey. They rather quietly sneak up on them and then pounce on the unsuspecting animal. We tried to watch the ambush, but unfortunately some birds alerting the nearby impalas and they fled.
Later that same morning we spotted a rhinoceros. We quietly approached him and tried to take many photos of him. He was not interested and ran off in the bush, alluding our 4X4. Fortunately, our afternoon drive provided us with another chance, but this was a different rhino and he was eager to have some fun with us. His name was Sargent. He is known by his broken horn. Several times he tried to charge or 4X4, but out driver was quick and nimble, so we were never in danger. Can you imagine staring at a 3500 kg (77,000 lb) rhino and he wants to have some fun with you?
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