The Big 5
Big Five Safari in Kenya
Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo — where in Kenya you'll see them all.
Key takeaways
- Best 'all-5' park: Maasai Mara.
- Best rhino park: Ol Pejeta (black rhino) or Nakuru (both).
- Best elephant: Amboseli.
- Realistic to see all 5 in 5 days.
The 5 species and best parks
Lion — Mara or Amboseli. Leopard — Mara conservancies, Samburu. Elephant — Amboseli, Tsavo. Rhino — Ol Pejeta, Nakuru. Buffalo — everywhere.
Guaranteed-Big-5 itineraries
5-day Nakuru + Mara: rhino at Nakuru, other 4 in the Mara. Or 7-day Amboseli + Nakuru + Mara for higher odds.
Realistic odds
With 4+ nights in the Mara plus a rhino park, our guests tick all 5 well over 90% of the time.
FAQ
Frequently asked
- Rarest Big 5?
- Rhino, then leopard.
- Time needed?
- 5 nights minimum for all 5.
- Where's Big 5 easiest?
- The Mara conservancies plus a rhino park.
- What about the 'Ugly 5'?
- Warthog, hyena, wildebeest, marabou stork, vulture — all everywhere in the Mara.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your Kenyan safari.
Tell us your dates and interests — we usually send a tailor-made itinerary within 24 hours.