The Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino - are the most sought-after animals on safari.
Lion: Best seen in Maasai Mara (Kenya) and Serengeti (Tanzania). These parks have large prides and excellent viewing opportunities year-round.
Leopard: More elusive, but Samburu (Kenya) and Serengeti offer good chances. Leopards are often spotted in trees during the day.
Elephant: Abundant in Amboseli (Kenya) with Kilimanjaro backdrop, and Tarangire (Tanzania) has one of Africa's largest elephant populations.
Buffalo: Common throughout East Africa. Best viewing in Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) and Lake Nakuru (Kenya).
Rhino: Most challenging to spot. Ngorongoro Crater and Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya) are your best bets. Black rhinos are more common than white rhinos in East Africa.
For the best chance of seeing all Big Five, we recommend a multi-park itinerary combining Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Ngorongoro Crater.