Meet the Big 5 and the Marine 5
Taken together, these two groupings consist of some of the most spectacular wildlife you could ever hope to see. All can be found in South Africa (either on land or at sea) – most are here year-round, while some of the marine species are only present in certain seasons. The good news is that the southern African winter and spring – that is, from June to the end of October – is the very best time to visit if you want to see all ten species in a single trip.
Iconic wildlife awaits
The Big 5 is a well-known term in African safari travel, and it refers to arguably the five most iconic species you can encounter on a game drive in a national park or private reserve. In a bygone era, these were believed to be the five animals that were most dangerous to hunt – today, with travelers bringing cameras rather than guns, they are simply some of the most thrilling creatures to encounter.
The Big 5 comprises elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino (technically the black rhino, but the definition has been relaxed over the years to include white rhino, too).
Spotting the Big Five
During your time in South Africa, you’ll notice the Big 5 referenced everywhere from t-shirts to fridge magnets. Seeing them in person, however, requires spending time in one or more of the country’s outstanding national parks or game reserves. Most of the national parks are large enough to contain healthy populations of all five species, and many smaller reserves will advertise themselves as being Big 5 destinations.
All five are thrilling to watch, from the majesty of a bull elephant to the elusive beauty of a leopard on the prowl. As they are typically found in herds, elephant and Cape buffalo are perhaps the easiest to see, with leopard often being the last one of the Big 5 to be ticked off the list.
Of course, these are just five of the many fascinating and impressive species of mammals you could well see on safari – and then there are the birds, reptiles, trees and insects, all of which are equally worthy of your time and fascination.
Your guide will focus on creating opportunities for you to spend time observing the animals that interest you most, whether it’s the Big 5 or other, less well-known species. If you’re on your first-ever trip to South Africa, you’ll naturally want to see all of the Big 5, and focusing on them adds a definite thrill to each game drive.
During winter (the dry season in much of South Africa), vegetation dies back, and animals tend to congregate around waterholes, so it’s the best time of the year to look for the Big 5 and other animals.
Head out to sea, to see the Marine 5
As well as large areas of protected wilderness, South Africa is blessed with a long and varied coastline. The landscapes vary from rugged cliffs to golden beaches, and the waters offshore are every bit as productive as the land when it comes to wildlife. With two oceans (the Indian and the Atlantic) meeting close to Cape Town, there is an amazing amount to see on the shore, and beneath the waves.
The Marine 5 is a relatively new concept, created to promote ocean conservation and encourage people to experience a different side to South Africa. The Marine 5 consists of the mighty southern right whale, the awe-inspiring great white shark, the playful bottlenose dolphin, and the endearing Cape fur seal and African penguin.
Ocean safari highlights
The southern right whales migrate to the coast of the Western Cape to mate and breed, with the coastal town of Hermanus being a hotspot for whale watching from the shore or by boat. Look out for them “breaching” (leaping out of the water) and enjoy spending time with these gentle giants.
Cape fur seals and bottlenose dolphins can both be found in and around Cape Town harbor – a boat cruise is the best way to see them (as well as to enjoy spectacular views of the city and Table Mountain). Dolphins in particular seem to enjoy playing close to boats, and are a joy to watch.
Boulders Beach beckons
The port of Simon’s Town can be reached as part of a chauffeur-driven Cape Peninsula excursion. It’s a great place for an authentic seafood lunch – and to see penguins. Boulders Beach, just outside town, is famous for its resident population of charismatic African penguins, which have become world famous for their antics.
The ultimate adrenaline rush
This just leaves us with one of the ocean’s top predators – the great white shark. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of shark cage diving and watching one of these phenomenal fish swim towards you. Yes, it’s perfectly safe, but your pounding heart and surging adrenaline might tell you otherwise!
To give yourself the best chance of seeing all the Big 5 and the Marine 5 during a single “bush and ocean” itinerary to South Africa, contact the journey specialists at Journey Beyond today.