The Big and Little Five: On Safari

The Big and Little Five invites you to explore the fascinating dark continent of Africa. It’s a fascinating world of intriguing and exotic flora, fauna, and people.

For decades hunters sought and shot the dangerous Big Five: Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Lion, and Leopard for trophies. These were the five most difficult mammals to hunt on foot. Today, thanks to conservationists, the Big Five are now being shot with cameras by people on safari hoping to bag all Five.

While on safaris in Africa, I’m fortunate to have observed and photographed all the Big Five.The Leopard was the most camera shy. With poaching and global warming, the Big Five is more elusive and endangered.

The Little Five are less obvious than their larger counterparts in South Africa. Few tourists know about these elusive creatures. They include mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds. These smaller beings are namesakes of the dangerous Big Five: Elephant Shrew, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Rhinoceros Beetle, Ant Lion, and Leopard Tortoise. Like the Big Five, these tiny creatures have survival problems due to the impact of climatic changes and humankind destroying their habitat and food source.

Both Fives have fascinating social behavior, means of communication, courtship, mating, parenting, and survival tactics. It’s difficult not to attribute human like qualities-anthropomorphism while observing their behavior.

The Big Five, especially their courtship and mating behavior, are awesome and amusing. The Little Five’s response to their environment cause wonder and delight. Welcome to the excitement and outdoor classroom of safaris and the fascinating World of the Fives.