Big Five Safaris

Male lion resting near safari vehicle on a guided Big Five game drive

From the wide plains of the Serengeti to South Africa’s private Phinda Reserve and Botswana’s Okavango Delta, NOMARA’s Big Five Safaris place you at the heart of Africa’s most iconic wildlife moments. Spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino in pristine settings where expert guiding and conservation shine.

Plan Your Journey

Endangered white rhino grazing at sunrise on a conservation, focused Big Five safari

Tracking Africa’s Icons

Morning light warms Phinda Mountain Lodge as rangers follow lion spoor across dew-drenched grasslands. By afternoon, elephants gather at Sandibe’s lush floodplains, while sundown reveals rhino silhouettes near Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Each day is an unfolding story, where the legendary five appear against backdrops as diverse as Okavango lagoons and crater walls.

QUICK FACTS
Legendary wildlife
Diverse landscapes
Specialist guides
Iconic sightings
Year-round safaris

Leopard perched on a termite mound near vehicle, classic Big Five photo moment

Cape buffalo herd watched on foot by professional guides, classic Big Five encounter

Two African elephants bonding, tusks and trunks intertwined, Big Five safari viewing

Experiences & Highlights

Big Five safaris focus on unhurried time in prime reserves with exceptional guiding and flexible days. In South Africa, Lion Sands River Lodge and Tengile River Lodge place you on river systems where elephants and buffalo drink and leopards hunt at dusk. Nearby, Kirkman’s Kamp covers classic Sabi Sand territory known for reliable big cats, while Phinda Vlei and Phinda Forest Lodge in KwaZulu Natal add black rhino tracking and a mix of open grassland and sand forest.

East Africa brings wide horizons too, with Bateleur Camp and Kichwa Tembo in the Masai Mara delivering open plains for lion prides and seasonal rhino sightings. On Lewa Conservancy, Kifaru House and Lewa Safari Camp provide exceptional black and white rhino encounters that complete the five. Game drives pair with guided walks where permitted, night drives on private land, and unhurried time at productive waterholes. Throughout, your ranger and tracker tune each outing to light, wind and wildlife movements so you can focus on the moment.