Speak to any serious hunting enthusiast, and most (if not all!) will mention their desire to hunt big game in Africa. In fact, not only DANGEROUS big game (although that is a step up!) but those seen as the pinnacle of hunting trophies: Big 5 African game animals. Successfully hunting one of these top species is the lifelong dream of many hunters worldwide, where a Big 5 member and a hunter meet face-to-face in a unique and challenging hunt.
Who are the Big 5 African Game Animals?
The lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, African elephant, and the rhino comprise Africa’s Big 5. They acquired their name from being seen as the most resilient and challenging of all Africa’s animals to hunt on foot, with each animal offering a separate challenge for hunters to overcome.
Hunting these infamous African legends is almost seen as an initiation into dangerous and big game hunting in Africa, and one that everyone wants to achieve!
Big 5 African Game Animals: When, Where, and How to Hunt them
Each member species of the Big 5 presents hunters with a unique challenge when targeting them. Some are elusive, others extremely aggressive, while some are known to hold grudges, but all will take out a hunter without a moment’s hesitation.
Big 5 African Game Animals: The Lion
Name: Panthera leo
Male Lion weight: 330-570 pounds
Lioness weight: 270-300 pounds
Male shoulder height: 44-50 inches
Range: sub-Saharan, Southern & Eastern Africa
Arguably the most sought-after trophy of the Big 5 when big game hunting in Africa, the lion is an apex predator that is fast, unpredictable, and always on his A-game. Lion hunting safaris are for experienced hunters looking for that extra adrenaline fix! Not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced, these African hunts require patience, skill, and, most importantly, great aim as a wounded lion is no joke! An injured lion will literally lie in wait for a hunting party to be close enough to target, then come bounding out of its hiding place with a vengeance, looking for blood and fixated on one member…. with the intent to kill!
The lion inhabits numerous territories, including thick bush, dry forests, and even open plains. Ironically, however, this member of the Big 5 is known as the king of the jungle, even though he doesn’t frequent or inhabit Africa’s jungles!
As Africa’s largest cat, an adult male lion weighs 330-570 pounds. From the top of his nose to the tip of his tail, he is pure muscle, sporting razor-sharp claws, and impressive fangs, making him the perfect game hunting trophy.
Popular countries for lion hunting safaris include:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- Central African Republic
The average duration of a lion hunting safari is approximately 7-14 days. They are usually hunted in two ways, either by baiting or tracking. For the perfect lion hunt, add a dedicated PH, skilled trackers, the hunter’s precision, and expert shooting, along with a shot (or two!) of adrenaline…and you are off to a good start!
What Caliber is Best for a Lion Hunting Safari?
The minimum legal requirement for any dangerous game hunting is a .375 caliber. A .416 Rigby or a double rifle such as a 470NE or 500NE are good choices on a game hunting safari for this apex predator, and soft expanding tips work well. Numerous hunters prefer a .458 or a .458 Lott.
When on a lion hunting safari, use a rifle with which you are comfortable and one with good stopping power. Be sure to use premium-grade ammunition when targeting this Big 5 member on African hunts.
Big 5 African Game Animals: The African Elephant
Name: Loxodonta
Male Elephant weight: 13,200 pounds
Male shoulder height: 10,5 feet
Range: Savannahs, grasslands, forests, and deserts in sub-Saharan Africa
Often referred to as Africa’s “gentle giant,” the African elephant is not only the world’s largest land mammal but also a coveted trophy when big game hunting in Africa. Just like its other Big 5 member the rhino, elephants continue to be targeted for their ivory tusks.
Poachers are annually responsible for more than 20,000 elephant deaths, with the animals’s ivory tusks sold on the black market.
As mentioned, this huge mammal is regarded as gentle, but there is the other side that many hunters experience. Elephants can become extremely aggressive when threatened and chase predators and threats, reaching speeds of 25mph! The average running speed for humans is 4-6 mph, and the average sprint speed is less than 19mph…Houston, we have a problem! There is a misconception that elephants will not attack humans. This is untrue, as an elephant can and will attack a human if they feel threatened or placed in danger.There are two main elephant species found in Africa, namely the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant:
- The African Bush Elephant is native to areas of sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, and Angola.
- The African Forest Elephant inhabits the humid tropical forests in West Africa and the Congo Basin.
Elephant hunting in Africa is available in the following countries, amongst others:
- Cameroon
- Tanzania
- Zambia
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Botswana
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
The starting point for most elephant hunting in Africa is usually a watering point and sometimes a road or track. Elephant hunting in Africa is usually done on foot using trackers, following promising fresh tracks or spoor until the animal is sighted.
What Caliber is Best for Elephant Hunting in Africa?
The minimum legal requirement is a .375 with a 300-grain bullet. Recommended calibers are 450 grain and up, such as a .416 Rigby, .458, or .458 Lott. Double rifles such as 470NE, 500NE, and up are ideal for hunting these beasts. Use only solid bullets on an elephant hunting safari.
Big 5 African Game Animals: The Leopard
Name: Panthera padres
Male weight: 80-165 pounds
Male shoulder height: 28 inches
Range: sub-Saharan Africa
The shy and elusive leopard remains one of the most challenging African hunts ever! This nocturnal, solitary big cat spends most of its day resting and camouflaging in caves, bushes, or up trees, and you can consider yourself lucky should you spot them during daylight hours.
Popular countries for leopard hunting in Africa include, amongst others:
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Namibia
- Mozambique
The duration of leopard hunting safaris is usually 14-21 days. Game hunting for this elusive night predator can involve various methods, including stalking, baiting, and hounds.
What Caliber Rifle should I use to Target the Leopard?
When leopard hunting in Africa, the minimum requirement is a .375 caliber with a 300-grain bullet. Recommendations include an expanding bullet tip for this specific hunt. The rifle should be fitted with an excellent-quality tactical scope, as shot placement on this African cat is critical.
Leopards are soft-skinned cats that seldom retain bullets from high-powered rifles, and calibers such as .270, 7mm, .308, 30.06, and 300 win-mag are highly suitable, depending on the legal requirements.
Big 5 African Game Animals: The Cape Buffalo
Name: Syncerus caffer
Male Buffalo weight: 935 – 2,000 pounds
Male shoulder height: 3-5 feet
Range: Southern & Eastern Africa
This member of the Big 5 needs no introduction. Dangerous, aggressive, bad-tempered, and unpredictable behavior have earned this member of the Big 5 the nicknames of “Black Death” and the “widow maker.” The Cape buffalo is even known to hold grudges, targeting hunters after the death of one of the herd and killing lions who attacked the herd. These animals are not to be messed with under any circumstances!
When buffalo hunting in Africa, remember that these animals have an excellent sense of smell, and although their eyesight and hearing may not be the best, they will smell and sense danger. The best time to hunt buffalo is during the drier autumn months when the grass is shorter and water is more scarce.
The following countries are popular for buffalo hunting safaris, amongst others:
- Zimbabwe
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Namibia
As an adult, the Cape Buffalo reaches 6-11 feet in length, 3-5 feet at the shoulder, and weighs up to 2,000 pounds. Not only is this animal seen as savage and menacing, but it also has a mean set of horns that can cause serious damage to anything in its path!
Probably regarded as the most difficult and dangerous animal of the Big 5 to target, the Cape buffalo hunts remains an extremely popular big game trophy to land, and although hunting methods may differ, they are mostly hunted by tracking. The duration of a Cape buffalo hunt is usually 7-10 days.
In terms of Cape buffalo hunting, dagga boys are regarded as the greatest trophy of all! These older buffalo bulls have been banished from the herd for numerous reasons and are known as dagga boys, as they tend to wallow in mud, known as “dagga” in the local African language. They survive in the wild on their own, without the protection of the herd. These beasts are seen as exceptionally cunning and wise, being able to avoid and outsmart numerous predators, including the mighty lion.
What Caliber Rifle does a Cape Buffalo African hunt require?
The minimum requirement for dangerous game hunting is a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. A well-placed bullet from a 416 Rugby, 404 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott will bring down Africa’s Black Death. Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and up are suggested for the Cape buffalo, especially in close quarters.
Big 5 African Game Animals: The Rhino
Name: Ceratotherium simum (White Rhino)
Weight: 7,700 pounds
Male shoulder height: 5.5-6.1 feet
Range: Mainly found in South Africa, Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Name: Diceros bicornis (Black Rhino)
Weight: 1,070 – 3,000 pounds
Male shoulder height: 4,5-5,5 feet
Range: Southern and Eastern Africa
The second largest land animal behind the elephant, the rhino is undoubtedly the most well-regulated animal in terms of game hunting in Africa. There are five rhino species, including two African rhinos, and three Asian rhino species.
The two African rhinos include the white rhino and the black rhino. The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is available for hunting in South Africa and Namibia. The black rhino (Diceros bicornis) is also available for hunting, but this is far more strictly regulated. Presently, the black rhino is also available to hunt in Namibia and South Africa under stringent conditions.
The poaching of this stately beast has resulted in their numbers decreasing dramatically, leading to them being listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Although rhino poaching is illegal and there are several organizations in place to save rhinos, poaching remains rife, with a lucrative black market and rising demand from countries such as Vietnam and China, where the horn gets utilized in making traditional medications.
The duration of a traditional rhino hunt is approximately 7-days and remains the most strictly controlled big game African hunt. The best hunting method is walk–and–stalk.
What Caliber Rifle should I use to Target the Rhino?
As with all the big five dangerous game, the minimum legal requirement for rhino hunting is a .375 caliber shooting a 300-grain bullet. A well-placed bullet from a 416 Rigby, 500 Jeffery, 458 WM, or Lott will ensure proper penetration, as the rhino’s skin is incredibly thick.
Double rifles such as the 470NE, 500NE, and higher are preferred.
Do You have what it takes for a Big 5 African Hunt?
When it comes to big game hunting in Africa and specifically targeting the Big 5, it is an adrenaline-filled hunting adventure second to none. From beginning to end, your hunt will be spent discussing all things hunting with fellow hunting enthusiasts!
From shot placement angles, the best caliber options, and trophy anatomy to prize game hunting trophies and everything in between, a Big 5 game hunting safari is something unique, with memories and friendships forged under picturesque African skies.
Has this article got you considering an African Big 5 Hunt? Get ready for it, by discovering more about Big 5 Hunting in Africa and shot placement for dangerous game with Game Hunting Safaris.
Author: B. Hershensohnn