The Little Five of Tanzania –
A Hidden Safari Treasure
When people think of a Tanzanian safari, the legendary Big Five usually come to mind – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo. But out in the wild, tucked beneath the grandeur of these giants, lives a secret world of smaller yet equally fascinating creatures: the Little Five.
Much like their famous counterparts, the Little Five carry the names of the Big Five but belong to a completely different family of the animal kingdom. Spotting them requires a keen eye, patience, and often a dash of luck – which makes finding them all the more rewarding. On your next safari with Afrimine Tours, challenge yourself (and your guide!) to discover these miniature marvels that give the African bush even more character.
Elephant Shrew
Tiny, quick, and shy, the elephant shrew darts like a shadow across the forest floor. Its long, flexible snout is what gives it its elephant-inspired name, while its speed and jumping ability (up to three feet in a single leap!) make it a real spectacle for those lucky enough to spot one.
They thrive in scrublands, savannas, and rocky outcrops, but in Tanzania, your best chance is in the Udzungwa Mountains and Eastern Arc Forests, home to the rare grey-faced shrew. Watching one zip across a clearing feels like witnessing a secret performance of the bush – blink, and they’re gone.
Leopard Tortoise
The leopard tortoise is the gentle giant of the Little Five. Its beautifully patterned shell, golden with black rosettes, resembles the coat of a leopard – and it is not shy about showing off its striking design as it grazes slowly through the grass.
They can live for up to a century, weighing as much as a small child, yet they move gracefully, feeding on mushrooms, fallen fruits, and succulents. Spot them in the Serengeti Plains, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, often lumbering through open grasslands or near waterholes. Seeing one up close is like finding a living, armored relic of ancient Africa.
Rhino Beetle
Don’t let the rhino beetle’s fearsome horn and hissing sounds fool you – these armored insects are harmless to humans. The males use their spectacular horns in battles for territory and mates, just like their namesake, the rhino.
At up to 6 cm long, these beetles are among the largest on earth. They feed on sap, nectar, and rotting fruit, often active at dusk. Keep your eyes peeled in Mikumi National Park and the Selous Game Reserve, especially around trees oozing sap – that’s where you’ll often find them clinging like little prehistoric warriors.
Antlion
The antlion may be the smallest of the Little Five, but it has the most ferocious hunting style. During its larval stage, it digs tiny conical pits in sandy soil and waits, buried beneath the surface, for unsuspecting ants to fall in – a deadly trap from which few escape.
By night, adult antlions flutter gracefully, resembling delicate dragonflies. Look for them in Ruaha National Park, where the sandy ground provides perfect hunting terrain, or along dry riverbeds in the Tarangire. Watching an antlion hunt is like seeing nature’s most patient predator at work.
Buffalo Weaver
The buffalo weaver is the socialite of the Little Five – noisy, lively, and always in a crowd. These black-feathered birds with sharp beaks live in colonies, building huge untidy communal nests of twigs and leaves that can house dozens of families.
Spot them in Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and almost any savanna landscape in northern Tanzania. You’ll often hear their chatter before you see them, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a whole flock darting between thorn trees, their bright eyes scanning the ground for insects and seeds.
Where to Find the Little Five in Tanzania
Finding the Little Five adds an adventurous twist to your safari. They challenge you to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the bush beyond its famous giants. They remind us that Africa’s wild magic lies not only in its roaring lions and charging elephants but also in the whisper of wings, the scuttle of paws, and the secrets hidden beneath the grass.
With Afrimine Tours, every safari is more than just a journey – it’s a treasure hunt. So next time you’re out in Tanzania, keep your eyes peeled, your camera ready, and your sense of wonder alive. The Little Five might just steal your heart.
The Secret Challenge of the Bush
By the end of your journey, you’ll realize that finding the Little Five is not just about ticking names off a list. It’s about slowing down, seeing deeper, and discovering that Africa’s magic lies as much in the whisper of wings and scuttling shadows as in the roar of lions.
So after you’ve celebrated the Big Five, take on the secret challenge of the Little Five with Afrimine Tours. Because sometimes, the smallest creatures tell the biggest stories.