A Postcard from Lesotho: The Big Five of South Africa

Postcard

The Lion, the African elephant, the cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros. What do these animals have in common?

Are they the most dangerous animals of Africa? No, the hippo kills more people in Africa than any other. Are they the largest animals of Africa? No, the lion and the leopard are much smaller than the hippo or a giraffe.

The origin of the Big Five is at the beginning of the twentieth century. The white settlers went on hunting safaris. The Big Five refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot! The members of the Big Five were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved.  

Stamps

Aloe broomii is a short-stemmed, robust aloe reaching a height of 1.5 m.  Lekhala means aloe in Lesotho.