Have you ever wondered why these animals are called “The Big Five”?

The phrase ‘The Big Five’ originally referred to the difficulty of hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo on foot in Africa. These five large African mammals were known to be dangerous, and trophy hunters considered it a feat to bring them home. 

Our Kenyan safari promises the thrill of encountering some of the planet’s most magnificent wildlife. Many people’s ultimate safari goal is to spot the Big Five!

Kenya’s untamed landscapes and the Masai Mara’s rolling savannahs provide the perfect backdrop for these beautiful creatures. Each game drive hopes to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitats, showcasing the raw beauty and power of the African wilderness. 

Africa has a treasure found nowhere else in the world. The Big Five can only be found in these African countries: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is the worst of all.” Brian Jackman

With eager hearts and adventurous spirits, here’s our story of encounters with the Big Five.

Finding My Way Home: A Baby Elephant Tale  

“They say an elephant never forgets. What they don’t tell you is that you never forget an elephant.” Bill Murray

Here is the story of a baby elephant that we will never forget!

On another beautiful morning in the sprawling expanse of the African savannah, we spotted a baby elephant seemingly lost and separated from his family. For this story, I will call him “Tembo.” ‘Tembo’ is a Swahili word for elephant. The early morning sun, slowly rising, cast long shadows across the landscape; hot air balloons started to rise for their tours; and the cold air was filled with the sounds of wildlife stirring to life. Tembo probably strayed too far during a night of foraging and now felt unfamiliar pangs of fear, his vulnerability palpable. 

He was running with a sense of urgency and panic, his massive feet thundering across the ground and sending dust clouds. His trunk rose high, and he loudly trumpeted a desperate call for his family. The sound echoed through the savannah, a plaintive cry that carried far and wide. He stopped momentarily and listened for a response, but the silence that followed was deafening. His longing for his family, aching and raw, resonated with those who heard his call.

Unfazed, he continued, his senses sharpened. He moved swiftly, navigating open plains, his massive feet leaving deep imprints in the soft earth. The sun climbed higher, casting a golden hue over the landscape as Tembo’s trumpeting grew more frequent. He was worn out; his legs ached, but he knew he had to keep going.

In the distance, Tembo spotted a herd of elephants, and we can see he was excited during his approach, and his heart leaped with hope. Could this be his family? He raced toward them, his eyes scanning the familiar shapes for the comforting presence of his mother and siblings. The first herd of elephants he encountered as he drew closer was not his family. They largely ignored him, one of whom may have been the matriarch, who seemed to acknowledge and understand but gently nudged him away. Tembo continued to run and trumpet loudly, longing to find his family again. 

Tembo set off once more, his trumpeting calls resonating through the air. The sun was higher in the sky, and the hot air balloons reached their cruising altitude. The sun breaks full over the horizon, spreading a warm, golden glow through the savannah. Tembo is moving even though it is starting to warm up. As he crossed a dusty road and we continued to follow him, his ears perked up at some distant sound. At this point, we decided to leave Tembo and continue with our game drive. We had followed him for an hour, and now it was time for us to move on and explore. 

As we continued to drive, we eventually encountered a herd of elephants crossing the road. They took their time, enjoying the tall grass on both sides of the road. But one elephant in particular—the oldest one, we believe, was the Matriarch—seemed to linger and look off beyond us in the direction we came from—the direction of Tembo. 

Elephants communicate with low hums (low-frequency rumbles). This deep, low-pitched hum traveled vast distances, allowing the elephants to stay in touch even when miles apart. Observing the subtle movements and gestures accompanying these sounds was fascinating, as if they were in a complex and intimate conversation. Steve invited us to listen as closely as possible because the matriarch appeared to communicate over a longer distance while the herd wandered in another direction. She kept her head pointed that way. We believe this was Tembo’s family.

The herd’s matriarch seemed to lead the dialogue with her wise and gentle demeanor. Occasionally, she would pause, lift her trunk, and emit a soft rumble that resonated through the group. Witnessing these majestic creatures’ intricate social bonds and sophisticated communication skills was beautiful.

Witnessing this silent conversation, we felt deeply connected to the natural world. This experience was another highlight of our safari, adding a profound dimension to our understanding of these gentle giants. It reminded us that there is so much more to wildlife than meets the eye and that every encounter in the wilderness holds a story waiting to be discovered. 

“Kenya: All good things are wild and free.” – Unknown

Fun Facts:

Elephants are typically gray, but their natural color is grayish black. They often appear to be the same color as the soil where they live. This is because elephants love to take frequent mud baths or dust with soil to protect against insects, control body temperature, condition and moisturize the skin, and protect against sunburn.

“To truly understand Africa, you must go beyond the tourist trails and venture into the heart of the wilderness. It’s in the quiet moments, observing the animals in their natural habitats, that the continent reveals its secrets.” – Unknown.

Author: Cristy
Photo Credit: Nathan