Most foreigners who undertake the long journey to far-flung South Africa are almost guaranteed to have one must-do item on their itinerary: ‘Go on safari.’
Safari: the word conjures up romantic, Hemingwayesque images of sweeping savannahs and plains where members of the Big Five freely roam and where prides of lions reign supreme.
It might sound hopelessly soppy, but anyone who has ever had the unique experience of undertaking a South African safari in any of the country’s numerous game reserves, will tell you that even one’s highest expectations are far exceeded.
Being able to observe a huge variety of African animals at close range in their own, scenic habitats is an awe-inspiring occurrence that are sure to linger in one’s memories for a lifetime.
Among all the animals, the Big Five is the main attraction. The collection consists of the lion, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros (either the black or white rhino). As an interesting aside, the phrase ‘Big Five’ was coined by big game hunters as a way to refer to those animals in Africa that are most difficult to hunt on foot. So their inclusion was solely based on that fact and not on their size or on the fact that they are among the most dangerous mammals on earth.
As for being endangered? If the white rather than black rhinoceros is chosen, then the Big Five does not include any endangered species. However, the lion and African bush elephant are classified as vulnerable (as of yet, the African forest elephant had not yet been evaluated) and African buffalo are conservation dependent. The leopard and white rhinoceros are near threatened.
Which is also why having a glimpse of one or all of these animals is such a poignant experience.
