Big Five Namibia Safaris | When & Where to See Big Five Animals

Big Five Namibia Safaris

The Desert Land and the Big Five

To get things off the ground, the answer is yes—Namibia is a great place to see the Big Five. Animals such as buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos can all be spotted in this area. Seeing them all, though, will necessitate trips to several national parks and areas. Seeing all five of Namibia’s iconic animals at one spot is simply not possible in this country. As an example, the renowned Etosha National Park does not have buffaloes.

Buffaloes are rare in Namibia and hardly seen outside of the country’s far northeast, from Divundu all the way into the Zambezi Strip, where there is an abundance of water. The rest of the country is desert or semi-desert. Once again, rhinos do not presently reside in this region. This area is too damp and vegetated for white rhinos, who are more at home in grassy savannas. Despite its potential, the black rhino has not been reintroduced to this area. The rhino is a herbivore and browser. Consequently, seeing all five of Namibia’s Big Five simultaneously is not possible on any public or private reserve.

Wildlife encounters are nonetheless thrilling despite this. To start, it’s great to hear that all five of the Big Five are represented in Namibia. Second, Namibia stands out among African countries thanks to its rare desert elephants and lions. Lastly, the diversity of habitats in which the Big Five inhabit and the sheer number of species that call these areas home are mind-blowing. Then, what is the best place in Namibia to see the Big Five? Presented here are five pieces of advice. 1.

Where can you see the Big Five in Namibia?

1. Waterberg National Park

The most well-known table mountain in Namibia is located within striking distance of Windhoek, the capital city. In comparison to the plains, the ‘Waterberg’ rises around 200 meters. Due to the relative lack of features in the landscape, the mountain is often mistaken for being smaller than it actually is. Aptly named, it supplies water to the parched landscape of the western Kalahari fringe. Although Waterberg became famous for a tragic reason—a battle that took place here between Hereros and the Germans—it is today a symbol of peace and tranquillity.

The national park is home to a wildlife refuge on the plateau, as well as easy walks and breathtaking vistas. The Waterberg region is home to three members of the Big Five: leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes, but no elephants or lions. The plateau can only be explored on organised tours by the park authority; self-drive tours are not an option. Despite the thick wilderness, your chances of seeing wildlife are much increased with a guide. Additionally, you have a chance of spotting giraffes, tsessebes, kudus, impalas, buffaloes, warthogs, roan and sable antelopes, elands, cheetahs, lynxes, and jackals.

2. Khaudum National Park

One of the most untamed parts of the nation is Khaudum National Park, which is situated in the northern Kalahari. This is the perfect spot for those who are fearless in the face of danger and who are not discouraged by obstacles. You must have a 4WD or 4×4. You can follow a system of routes that stretches for around 300 km through bush and acacia woodlands, dry river basins, orange-red Kalahari dunes, and magnificent baobab trees within thick, soft sand fields.

Here, wildlife predominates over human habitation. But it could be difficult to detect them due to the park’s immensity and lack of roads. Elephants traverse the region during the dry season, consuming vegetation and extracting water from peaty soils by excavating shallow wells with their multipurpose trunks.

While elephants, lions, and leopards make up the Big Five at Khaudum National Park, the park is also a great place to see roan antelopes, tsessebes (a kind of lechwe), and African wild hunting dogs. This area is also home to a variety of animals, including giraffes, elands, hartebeests, wildebeests, kudus, gemsboks, steenboks, duikers, bat-eared foxes, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, green monkeys, the ostrich, and the aardvark. Khaudum National Park is devoid of buffalo and rhinoceros.

3. Bwabwata National Park

Among Namibia’s many treasures, Bwabwata National Park stands out. The country’s goal is for humans and wildlife to live in harmony here, even if the area is a national park, which means it is extremely protected. There will be tensions, but in the end, everyone benefits: humans may stay in their ancestral homelands and animals can live in safety. Their livelihood is ensured by the sustainable protection of natural flora and fauna. In this way, they can reap the financial rewards of park visitation. Their responsibilities include keeping an eye on crocodiles, hippos, zebras, antelopes of all kinds, abundant birdlife, and four of the Big Five—buffalo, lions, leopards, and elephants. The Big Five at Bwabwata National Park are all save the rhino.

The Mahango Core Area and the Buffalo Core Area are located in the western part of the park, while the Kwando Core Area is located in the eastern part, and their purpose is to manage the cohabitation of the park’s fauna and nature. The migration of elephants from Angola to Botswana is made possible by the coexistence of humans and animals in a multiple-use region.

4. Etosha National Park

One of the most visited places in all of Africa, Etosha National Park is also the best place to go on a safari in Namibia. It offers all the essential infrastructure for a comfortable stay and is accessible from any direction. The greatest concentration of Namibian wildlife may be found there, which is the most significant thing. Etosha National Park is home to a variety of animals, including lions, elephants, leopards, and rhinos. Buffalo are the only one of the Big Five that is absent. So, the lions in the park have never tasted buffalo. However, they are well aware that just being in their company is enough to captivate onlookers. Along with leopards, rhinos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, antelopes, hyenas, and many more, they put on a show, especially during the driest months when animals gather at easily accessible waterholes.

The park’s floodlit waterholes in the campers are another unique attraction. Nighttime animal viewing is available here. The following animals frequent the area: elephants, rhinos, leopards, and lions—even when they’re not around. The vibe is exhilaratingly creepy.

5. From Hoanib to the Namib

On the coast of western Namibia is the Namib Desert. This area is home to a wide variety of free-living animals due to the many dry rivers that flow through it, which originate in the Brandberg region and end in the little desert hamlet of Puros. The region surrounding the Hoanib River comes highly recommended. Despite facing constant danger, desert lions and elephants have adapted to their environment and built homes for themselves. Desert lions require a more adaptable diet than their Etosha counterparts, which thrive on a variety of antelopes such as zebras and wildebeests. On occasion, they will travel to the shore from the Namib Desert in search of seals. It would be remiss of them not to take advantage of the chance to spend the day at the Atlantic Ocean beach.

Unlike desert lions, desert elephants avoid going too near to the shore. Despite covering significantly more ground than their Etosha relatives, they, too, require an equilibrium between consumable plants and potable water. Along the eastern Namibrand, you can also see leopards and black rhinoceros. This is not a national park or other restricted region, thus they are free to roam. Of course, giraffes, zebras, oryxes, kudus, springboks, hyenas, and jackals also call this extraordinary environment home. This area is far too arid for buffaloes to survive, hence there aren’t any.

In Namibia, you have a few options for seeing the Big Five. To visit them all, you should plan your journey such that it includes more than one stop. Whether you prefer a guided trip or are planning a self-drive safari Namibia, we are happy to help with any queries you may have and arrange for your Big Five safari. We are always up-to-date on the latest news because we are local tour providers. Therefore, contact us!