Panthera leo A big feline weighing up to 250 kilograms. The King of beasts'. Habitat and distribution Lions are very common and easily seen in most Kenyan parks and reserves.  Social life More gregarious than other cats and occur in prides of up to thirty individuals. Lions from the same pride or group hunt together. They are diurnal in nature. When contented, lions are indolent, lazy creatures and prefer as little exertion as possible. Lions are not strictly territorial. Prides of three to forty, usually six to twelve. Conservation status Plentiful in Kenya.

Panthera pardus Habitat and distribution Highly adaptable, frequently arboreal. Found in all Kenya's parks and reserves but mainly in forested and wooded areas. Social life Leopards are solitary animals never more than a pair inhabiting a specific range. Males only associate with females for mating purposes. A very courageous fighter when aggressed and only death will stop it from a fight. Conservation status Fairly common.

Loxodontus africana Habitat and distribution Widely distributed in Kenyan parks and reserves. The elephant will be found dwelling in both forests and savannahs, wherever there are trees and water.  Social life Almost human in its complexity. Elephants are gregarious associating in herds averaging from ten to twenty head. Herds usually consists of a mature bull, several younger bulls and cows with their calves. Elephants are rather temperamental and hence not easy to predict their moods. They should always be given right of way when encountered close to a road. Older bulls have been observed to dwell together in pairs, small groups or singly. Conservation status Ivory trade makes the elephant a very endangered animal.

Ceratotherium simum Habitat and distribution The white rhino is a grazer and is not indigenous to Kenya. It has been introduced from South Africa into several Kenyan sanctuaries namely Solio, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lewa Downs among others. Social life Mothers and calves. Old males are solitary. Very docile animals. Conservation status Highly endangered.

Diceros bicornis Habitat and distribution The black rhino is found in thick bush, at an altitude up to 3500 meters. Found in Nairobi, Nakuru, Tsavo, Amboseli, Aberdares, Mount Kenya National Parks and Mara Reserve.  Social life Strictly territorial and solitary, active day and night.  Conservation status Highly endangered.

Syncerus caffer The cheetah is not a true cat. It's the fastest mammal (sprinting at about 100 km per hour). Much slighter built than the leopard, with a small head, square snout and dark "tear marks" from eye to jowl. Habitat and distribution Widely distributed in rain forests, secondary forest, highland forests, open woodlands, savannah bush and swamps. Social life Gregarious, the buffalo frequently form herds of 500 up to 2000. They are one of the most dangerous Big Game animals with unpredictable and volatile tempers.