In the same way that many have a travel bucket list, most people come into a safari with a bucket list of animals that they want to see during their game drives. The Big Five is a list of five large African animals that always seem to make the most desired sightings;
The lion, leopard, African elephant, rhinoceros and cape buffalo.
Unfortunately, the origin of the Big Five is that of a negative one of poaching and trophies. The members of the Big Five were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size.
The lion and elephant are classified as endangered. The leopard and white rhinoceros are classified as vulnerable and near threatened. The black rhinoceros is classified as critically endangered so cannot be hunted at all. The African buffalo’s conservation status is least concern.
The one animal that I wanted to see most while on safari in Kenya was the leopard; it is a rare sighting and in my opinion, the most beautiful of all African animals. I was fortunate enough to have seen a family of three leopards during a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. It was probably my favourite part of the entire trip.
Here are the Big Five:
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Thanks to My Adventure Store & G Adventures for making this trip possible.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Umm..wow! I’m speechless. This is spectacular. What camera and lens do you have?
Natalia | Always Trekking recently posted..The UAE Experience – Battered Suitcases
Thanks! I used a Nikon D300 + 70-300 lens for these.
Well done! You’ve got some National Geographic shots here!
Cam @ Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week: The Cute Village of Bernkastel
Haha, best compliment ever! Thanks
Wow. Amazing shots. Really impressive.
Thanks, Jason!
Hi Seattle. The pictures are beautiful! Would love to see more as I’m sure there are quite a few fabulous shots. Hope you had a lovely time in Paris too. – Becky
Thanks, Becky! There will definitely be more, and Paris was great, too. Hope you enjoyed Tanzania :]
Hollllllyyyyy cowwwww. Amazing photos. That last one of the lion is NatGeo-worthy!
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Haha, thanks
Breathtaking photos, Seattle! Unbelievable closeups! Very inspiring. I can’t wait for my trip to Africa!
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Thanks a bunch! When are you heading there?
Later this year… or maybe next year. Too many places, to little vacation
I know how that feels, but Kenya is definitely worth bumping up to the top of the list ;]
Stunning photographs, you must have a crazy telephoto lens or maybe you are just as crazy as me and would go frolicking amongst lions and elephants. These are amazing Seattle!
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Haha I would totally frolic with lions and elephants if they allowed me to leave the vehicle (National Park rules), but I think the 70-300 lens helped ;]
Wow…gorgeous shots. Well done!
Thanks
Absolutely stunning photos. WOW!, WOW!, WOW!
Thanks, Debbie!
Can I just say every single one of your photos were amazing but especially the Lion ones, such intensity! Great job! I’m also really jealous lol. I hope I get to do this one day!