The Big Five are Africa's five most dangerous and prestigious game animals: lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros. The term was coined by hunters to describe the five most challenging animals to hunt on foot.
Origin of the Term
The Big Five designation has nothing to do with size. It was coined by professional hunters in the early 20th century to identify the five African game animals that were considered the most dangerous and difficult to hunt on foot. Each of these animals can kill a person, and each demands a different set of skills, tactics, and mental preparation to hunt successfully. The term has since been adopted by the photographic safari industry, but its origins are firmly rooted in hunting.
Lion
The lion is Africa's apex predator and the animal most people associate with the African safari. Hunting lion requires tracking or baiting, exceptional patience, and the nerve to face a 200-kilogram predator at close range. Brian Van Blerk has taken 56 trophy lions across Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Leopard
The most elusive of the Big Five. Leopard hunting is conducted over bait, with the hunter waiting in a blind for hours or days for the right animal to appear. It demands patience above all other qualities. Brian has taken 136+ leopards, earning the nickname "The Catman."
Cape Buffalo
Known as "Black Death," the Cape buffalo is considered by many experienced hunters to be the most dangerous of the Big Five. Unpredictable, immensely tough, and capable of a devastating charge, buffalo are tracked on foot through thick bush. Brian has taken 300+ Cape buffalo.
Elephant
The largest land animal and the ultimate test of endurance. Elephant hunting involves days of walking in extreme conditions, following tracks through remote wilderness until a mature bull with suitable ivory is located. Brian has taken 50 elephant bulls, primarily in the Zambezi Valley.
Rhinoceros
The rarest and most restricted of the Big Five. Rhinoceros hunting is extremely limited worldwide due to conservation concerns and is subject to special permits and quotas. Both black and white rhinoceros have been hunted historically, but opportunities today are rare and expensive.
Hunting the Big Five Today
Brian Van Blerk offers hunts for four of the Big Five: leopard, lion, Cape buffalo, and elephant. Each species is hunted under strictly managed quotas that ensure sustainability and conservation. A Big Five safari is not a single hunt but a series of distinct challenges, each demanding different skills and preparation. For the serious hunter, pursuing the Big Five is a lifetime pursuit that may take multiple safaris across several countries.