You’ve likely stumbled upon the term ‘Big Five of Mara’ while planning your Kenyan safari. This unusual term refers to a group of animals considered to be the highlight of your safari journey. Without spotting them, your game drives feel incomplete. So, what is the huge fuss around this group? Let’s find out what makes the Big Five of Mara so special.
Big Five of Mara – Their intriguing history
The big five of Mara or the big game animals are the African elephant, Cape Buffalo, African lion, leopard, and rhino. This term was coined during the 17th century – 19th century when colonial hunters uncovered the rich wildlife of Africa.
While exploring the wilderness areas, one of them being the Masai Mara, they quickly understood the significance of this group. The animals were selected not on the basis of their size, but the challenge and thrill they ignited among the hunters in order to take them down. Hunting the big five of Mara became a status symbol and was known to be a huge achievement for the hunters.
The Big Five were difficult to hunt on foot. They were also deemed notorious for their strength, unpredictable behavior, and intelligence. Naturally, any hunter who would take them down would earn respect not only among his fellow hunters but also among the indigenous people. The hunters would keep hunting trophies such as rhino horns, elephant tusks, and lion skins to establish themselves as trophy hunters. This also expanded into demand and a growing trade practice of exotic goods among the hunters.
Hunting declined the population of the big five of Mara tremendously. It was only until the 20th century that the attitudes towards these animals shifted. Conservationists started to set up protected areas and reserves to save the population of animals and discourage hunting. As the focus shifted towards tourism, this group of animals garnered attention from all over the world. Today, safaris allow visitors to witness the group in their natural habitats without disrupting their peace.
All about the Big Five of Mara
African Lion
Famous for holding the title of ‘The King of the Jungle’ and known to be an apex predator, the African lion is undoubtedly the most famous member of the big five of Mara. There are approximately 800 to 900 lions in Masai Mara and the surrounding conservancies. Boasting such a high densities of lions means you’re likely to encounter them during your game drives. Due to their social behavior, lions live within a pride of 15 lions. They are characterized by their ferocious nature, sharp hunting skills, and dangerous jaws. Hunting for pride is usually undertaken by the lioness. It is a thrilling sight to spot lions chasing and hunting down their prey during the big five of Mara safaris.
Lion prides in Masai Mara were often studied and documented by conservationists. One of the most popular lion pride is the Marsh pride, the oldest pride with over 30 members living in the group. Other prides include the paradise pride, the ridge pride and the sausage tree pride.
African Elephant
Masai Mara is home to the highest population of elephants on earth. An estimated 2000 to 3000 elephants continue to move between the Mara reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
These gentle giants are dangerous when provoked, making them one of the most daunting animals to hunt on foot. Their sudden aggression made them one of the riskiest animals to hunt among the big five of Mara.
African elephants are recognized by their large ears as compared to Asian elephants. The biggest African elephant can stand at a height of 7 meters tall and weigh up to 6 tonnes. Besides their sheer size and unpredictable behavior, elephants are also intelligent animals. They form groups with other elephants and become emotionally bonded and protective over them. A typical African elephant herd ranges from 10 to 70 individuals, led by the head matriarch. The male elephants, also called bulls, usually live a solitary life.
Leopards
Stealthy, elusive, and highly aggressive, the leopards are one of the most skilled hunters of the big five of Mara. It is known for its short, lean body covered with beautiful black spots shaped like roses, called rosettes. The spots, along with its light-colored fur, create a perfect camouflage for them to blend in with their surroundings.
Instead of roaring like lions, or trumpeting like elephants, leopards strike silently. They can jump over 6 feet in height and carry prey two times their size atop trees, where they usually reside. They also keep their food hidden in trees to avoid scavengers. Leopards can run approximately 37 miles per hour to catch their prey. They also rely on ambush techniques to surprise their prey silently, making them skilled predators.
Leopards in Masai Mara are usually found near the rocky parts of the reserve or the savannahs wherein they prey upon other animals easily.
African Cape Buffalo
The most dangerous out of the big five of Mara, the African buffalo is also dubbed as the Black Death. It is infamous for its unpredictable nature and aggressive response, especially when being threatened. Instead of running off, they face their predator head-on and try to injure it with its enormous horns.
African Buffalos often travel together in herds of hundreds or even thousands at a time. They tend to be extremely aggressive and menacing, especially while protecting their herds or calves from a threat. The Masai Mara National Reserve houses more than 20000 African buffalos. They are often found in open grasslands, grazing together near watering holes during the dry season. If you happen to spot a lone African buffalo, it indicates that the rest of the herd is nearby.
Rhinoceros
Kenya has been safeguarding the species of rhinoceros for a long time. While both white rhino and black rhino is observed in the country, the black rhino population is mainly seen at Masai Mara. It is a critically endangered species out of the big five of Mara. Currently, an estimated 30 to 50 rhinos move between Masai Mara and Serengeti. They are usually witnessed near the Mara Triangle.
Black rhinos are partially blind, and so, tend to charge unprovoked and aggressively toward anyone they feel threatened. However, they are known to have a good sense of hearing and smell. In comparison to its cousin, white rhino, the black rhino displays an unpredictable nature. Their horns are made of keratin that may grow up to 50 cm long. These horns are most favored by poachers who hunt the rhinos.
Conservation efforts continue to safeguard the population of the black rhinos and help stabilize the local rhino population. However, their numbers still remain vulnerable.
Begin on your dream safari to see the Big Five of Mara
Spotting the Big Five of Masai Mara isn’t about ticking off names on a list — it’s about the quiet thrill of being in their presence. Sometimes you see them all in a single day. Sometimes, one shows up just when you thought the day was done. And the best part? There’s no script. No routine. Just the land, the light, the animals, and you — sharing a few fleeting moments under the same sky. That’s the Mara!
If you are ready to encounter this iconic group but don’t know where to start your holiday planning, no need to look any further. Ilora Retreats will help you achieve your safari dream because some things are meant to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. This is one of them.