Can I See The Big Five In Nyerere National Park?
Can I See The Big Five In Nyerere National Park?
Serengeti and Ngorongoro have a special place in the minds of many travelers heading to Tanzania for a wildlife safari. But there’s a hidden gem that offers the same level of experience as these famous safari picks. It’s the Nyerere National Park. It is still untouched, with the wildlife still in its purest form. And one of the most frequent questions our guests ask is: “Can I see the Big Five in Nyerere?” In this blog, we address this question for you, safari-goer. Let’s start the journey.
The Big Five
The animals making this list are the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. As you can see, some of them are not even bigger. Of course, a hippo and a giraffe can replace a lion and a leopard if size matters. Here’s the thing. The term ‘Big Five’ doesn’t necessarily imply size. It comes from the story of the old-school hunters who went on foot to kill animals for trophies. They found it dangerous and even fatal to attempt a kill on these five animals. Because when these animals backfired, the hunter was either severely injured or killed.
So, yes, you can see all the Big Five in Nyerere National Park? The reason it isn’t a famous big five park is probably due to its location. It’s also Africa’s largest park, with a size of 30,893 square kilometers (11,900 square miles). As we said, it’s still untouched. So, the journey to witness the Big Five in its vast, pristine forests is adventurous. Here’s our guide to how you can see the Big Five in Nyerere.
The African lion
The verdant plains of Nyerere are under the rule of the ‘King of the African jungle.’ As you relax in a spacious tent suite at the Roho ya Selous, you can hear the distant roar. It signifies domination and power for all the animals residing in it.
It’s hard to estimate the actual number of lions in Nyerere due to its remoteness. But there’s an estimated population of between 1,700 and 6,900 lions in the park and the surrounding Selous Game Reserve.
Lions live in large prides of up to 30 individuals, with the female and cubs forming the strongest bond. Male cubs may leave the pride after maturity to find another weak pride to continue their progeny. And that’s why lions are territorial. Because if any lion crosses the line, there might be fierce fights.
The African leopard
This is one of the most beautiful cats. Its elusiveness makes it difficult to find, especially during the day, and to count. But here’s a tip: acacia and sausage trees are common in Nyerere National Park, where these cats take a nap in the midday. Keep an eye out for the branches of these trees.
Leopards are less social, not like lions. Males are solitary, usually staying away from the female after mating. Females take care of the cubs and are one of the most skillful hunters: they stalk the prey, then launch a sudden attack followed by a high-speed chase.
The African elephant
A large, humble mammal is an important architect of Nyerere’s dense forests. As it breaks tree branches for food, it paves the way for other animals to pass. Back then, elephants suffered extreme poaching due to their precious ivory.
But the good news is that they bounced back with a steady population growth. According to a survey done by the Frankfurt Zoological Society in 2022, the elephant population in the Nyerere-Selous-Mikumi ecosystem was around 20,000.
Elephants form a herd of varying size. Their bond is usually a single matriarch leader, who is responsible for finding water and food for the herd. They collaboratively protect their young. Therefore, when encountering these grey giants, stay away from their calves.
Cape buffalo
A gentle wild cow with its stunning curved horns usually lives in the riverine forests along the Rufiji River, plains, and woodlands. The buffalo looks so humble, but why is it called the ‘Black Death’? It isn’t humble at all, especially when agitated. A charging buffalo is very dangerous because it attacks without stopping. However, buffalo attacks are very rare, especially those living in herds.
Buffalos form massive herds controlled by a few strong bulls. Fights are normal, especially during the rutting season. Defeated bulls isolate themselves from the herd, and they’re the most dangerous. Their survival instincts make them attack everything they see.
Black rhino
Black rhinos are solitary and usually hide in thick habitats or thick shrubs. While the black rhino is rare, there are good chances to spot it. Our guides, who are experts in the field, know exactly where to find this giant mammal.
The black rhino is a sister species of the white rhino. Its real color is dark grey. Its black appearance after wallowing in the mud makes it be called ‘black rhino.’ Back in the 1950s, these heavy mammals roamed the African jungle in thousands. Following excessive poaching for its precious horns, the rhinos were on the brink of extinction, thanks to conservation efforts employed.
The bottom line.
A Big Five safari in Nyerere National Park is a fascinating adventure, a not-to-miss one for every nature lover seeking seclusion and pristine beauty. You’ll witness large lion prides without sharing a sighting with another safari vehicle. You’ll also enjoy friendly prices in lodges and camps even during the dry season.
The other day you wanted to see the Big Five in Tanzania, but don’t want to go to the Serengeti, this quiet, remote park is the best alternative. So, let’s start planning your next adventure. Our expert safari planners are here to help you with it.
