Going on an African safari is high on most nature lovers’ bucket lists and 2025 will be a great year to see the Big 5. Few things excite safari goers like seeing Africa’s Big 5 – lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants and buffalo. The chance to observe and photograph these iconic animals, once considered the most dangerous to hunt on foot, is one of the most sought-after experiences by travelers who want to witness Africa’s majestic wildlife in its natural habitat.
As 2025 quickly approaches, some of our favorite parks, reserves and destinations continue to offer some of the best opportunities to see the Big 5. Today we share the top African safari destinations to visit on your Big 5 safari.
South Africa is one of the continent’s most accessible Big 5 destinations. With nonstop flights from the US, Johannesburg and Cape Town are easy gateways to South Africa’s safari parks and reserves. Kruger National Park is the most well-known, supporting a wonderful diversity of wildlife. We recommend a stay in one of the private game reserves on Kruger’s boundaries to avoid crowds and enjoy a more exclusive safari experience.
The Kruger ecosystem is home to both black and white rhino and its population of lions and elephants is robust. Buffalo are easy to spot and leopards can often be found in the early mornings or late afternoons by your expert guide and tracker. There is a wide range of accommodation available in the area, ranging from tented camps and luxury lodges to exclusive use homes and properties.
Another, lesser-known Big 5 destination in South Africa is Phinda Private Game Reserve in the KwaZulu Natal province. The reserve is smaller and more intimate than the Kruger reserves, but its wildlife will still wow you! In addition to the Big 5, guests have a great chance for close-up sightings of cheetah – this is one of the best reserves in the country to spot the elegant cats. The reserve has very diverse topography, with woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. It is also in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering great opportunities for both bush and beach adventures.
If East Africa has been on your list, Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is a fantastic choice for a Big 5 safari. Lions are very abundant, as are leopard, buffalo and elephants. Rhino are harder to spot, but an expert guide will give you your best chance to find one on safari. We suggest combining a visit to the Masai Mara with Laikipia in Central Kenya where both black and white rhino are particularly well represented along with rare species like wild dog, Grevy’s zebra and Beisa oryx.
The Masai Mara is also known for the incredible Great Migration, so if you plan your trip during certain months, you can tick off two of the world’s great wildlife spectacles from your list!
Tanzania is one of Africa’s most well-known wildlife havens and Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater combine to give travelers a great chance of seeing Africa’s Big 5. The Serengeti’s seemingly endless plains are home to millions of animals and you are almost guaranteed to spot buffalo, elephant and lion, with a good chance of also finding leopards among the park’s rocky outcrops and tree stands. Rhino are more rare, but can often be found with one of our expert guides. The Great Migration also moves through the Serengeti (it is part of one contiguous ecosystem with the Masai Mara), so for many months of the year, you might have the chance to see both the Big 5 and the wildebeest migration.
Ensuring that you also plan a safari day or two in the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s most unique safari experiences, increases your chances to see rhino. The Crater’s steep walls create a natural enclosure for the wildlife offering excellent opportunities to see the Big 5 in the span of one or two game drives.
Whether you’re drawn to the sweeping plains of the Serengeti, the highlands of Laikipia or South Africa’s private reserves, 2025 is sure to be an incredible year for Big 5 safaris. Each of these destinations offers something unique, and they all promise unforgettable encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife.
Contact one of our Journey Specialists to start planning and subscribe to the newsletter below for more safari inspiration!
Photos courtesy Kym Illman, AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak, AAC Safari Concierge Ciara Manning and AAC Senior Journey Specialist Hilary Walters