Spotting the Big Five in the Central Serengeti
Where to find lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in the Central Serengeti — and what to realistically expect — from the guides at RAFIKI Camp on the Orangi River.
Four of the five, reliably
Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are reliably encountered in the Central Serengeti throughout the year. Most guests see four of the Big Five within their first two days at RAFIKI.
Leopards of the Seronera Valley
The Seronera Valley is widely regarded as one of the best leopard-viewing areas in Africa. The riverine forest and fig trees along the Seronera and Orangi rivers hold resident leopards year-round.
Lions year-round
The dry season (June–October) produces the most reliable lion sightings, but the Central Serengeti's resident prides are present and visible all year thanks to the permanent Orangi River corridor.
Rhino — present but rare
Black rhino are present, with Moru Kopjes offering the best chance, but the population is small and sightings cannot be expected or guaranteed.
Timing your game drives
Early morning (6–9am) and late afternoon (4–7pm) are the most productive windows — predators are active and the light is at its best. All RAFIKI game drives are timed around these windows.