Big Five vs Big Six: What Animals Can You See in Kruger?

When most people think about an African safari, they think about the Big Five. Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. These five animals have defined safari travel for generations, and with good reason. But spend a bit more time in the bush and you will start hearing rangers talk about a sixth animal, one that arguably deserves to be on that list just as much as any of the others.

The Big Five: a quick recap

The term Big Five was originally coined by big game hunters to describe the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today it refers to the five species that every safari traveller hopes to see. In the Greater Kruger region and the private reserves we work with, you have a genuine chance of seeing all five in a single trip. Our guides know the land and the animals intimately, and we build every itinerary around giving you the best possible opportunity.

So what is the sixth animal?

The animal most commonly added to the list to make a Big Six is the cheetah. Some rangers and conservationists also make a case for the wild dog, one of Africa's most endangered and fascinating predators. Both are extraordinary animals that leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to see them in the wild.

The cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, capable of reaching speeds of over 110 kilometres per hour in short bursts. Unlike lions and leopards, cheetahs hunt by day, using their extraordinary eyesight to spot prey from a distance before launching into a sprint. Watching a cheetah hunt is one of the most breathtaking things you can witness on an African safari.

Cheetahs are found in the open grassland areas of the Greater Kruger region, particularly in the southern sections of the park. They are less common than lions or elephants, which makes a sighting all the more special.

The African wild dog

The African wild dog is one of the most misunderstood animals on the continent. Often dismissed or overlooked in favour of the more glamorous big cats, wild dogs are in fact remarkably intelligent, deeply social, and extraordinarily effective hunters. They have the highest hunt success rate of any large predator in Africa, working together with a level of coordination that genuinely astonishes first-time observers.

Wild dogs are critically endangered, with fewer than 6000 individuals remaining in the wild. Seeing a pack in Kruger is a genuinely rare privilege, and guests who witness it tend to remember it as one of the highlights of their entire trip.

What can you realistically expect to see?

On a well-guided safari in the Greater Kruger region, the Big Five are genuinely achievable in a single trip. Cheetah and wild dog sightings are less predictable but happen regularly enough that your guide will always be looking for them. At Savanna Stalkers, we tell our guests to come with a wish list and an open mind. The bush always has something extraordinary to offer, sometimes exactly what you hoped for, and sometimes something you never expected.

Get in touch with our team to start planning your safari. Also read our complete guide to tracking the Big Five, discover why Sabi Sands is Africa's best reserve for leopard sightings, and find out the best time to visit Kruger National Park.