The thing with going on safari here is that you will be able to see the “Big Five”. The name Big Five was originally coined by hunters because these animals were supposed to be the hardest game to hunt and find.
The proud pride owner the Lion. The Lion is but only the second largest of the Big Cats, but Tigers aren’t present in the Mara. Lions in general are keystone predators which means they hunt and take down their own food, rather than scavenge, although if the opportunity arises they will take it. The Lion however has in some instances become a man eater, they have been seen on occasion to actually stalk Man as prey.
The ever majestic African Elephant. These massive beasts weigh an impressive average of about 5 and half tonnes and can reach over 3 metres tall. When you see an elephant its quite easy to accept its large, but when you think even it’s 4 teeth are each twelve inches long and weigh 5 kilograms, it’s a lot more to take in. Their tusks grow up to 2 and a half metres long, that’s just under the average ceiling height in your house.
Then there is the Cape buffalo. The quite spectacular thing about this buffalo is that although they are lion prey, they are very successful at defending themselves, in some cases even killing lions. The Cape buffalo is regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Mara; it is a very short temper and is reported to have killed about 200 people every year.
The Black Rhinoceros. The Black Rhino has not been all that well named, unfortunately it was due to the name of the White Rhino that the so called “Black Rhino” received it’s own. The Black and White Rhino are so similar in colour it’s almost impossible to tell them apart by looking at their skin. White in the White Rhino’s name was actually a mistranslation of “Weit” in Dutch. This word actually means “wide” because the White Rhino had a long square like lip, whereas the Black Rhino has a pointed lip.
Finally the Leopard. The smallest of the Big Cats is what the Leopard is generally known for, and because of the Cheetah it is not really known for it’s speed. Although this cat is the smallest of the bunch, this feline can reach speeds of 36 mph and make a vertical jump 3 metres up. Swimming and climbing surrounding trees is the Leopards true forte.
So if you would like to go and see the Big Five then why not try Kenya holidays, Tanzania holidays or Zambia holidays. You will find them around these key locations.