With vast, staggering landscapes to explore, the grand plains of Africa have tempted travellers and wildlife-lovers alike for decades. All that’s required is a desire to give in to its allure.
African big cats are a major attraction in this. You’ll feel the thrill of encountering these fearsome creatures in their natural habitats, watching as they hunt smaller prey with precision. But, with all Africa safari holidays, you’re faced with a multitude of options to sift through:
– Which country to pick;
– When you should visit;
– Where you’ll stay;
– What excursions best fit you;
– And how to experience it.
At Rainbow, our Africa Travel Specialists can help answer all your questions and tailor-make the perfect safari holiday by combining your needs with our personal recommendations.
Spotting a lion basking in the heat of the midday sun, observing a proud leopard stalking unsuspecting prey or catching a flash of a cheetah as it dashes through the open savannah; these are the experiences that vie for the top spot on your ‘must-see’ list during a safari.
We’re always asked about our feline friends. So, here are our top spots to see big cats in Africa.
In this Africa travel guide:
– What big cats live in Africa?
– Where to see big cats in Africa
What big cats live in Africa?
The types of big cats in Africa include the larger members of the Felidae family:
– African lion (Panthera leo)
– African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus)
– African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
PICTURED: African lion (left), African leopard (middle), African cheetah (right)
After 25 million years of evolution, these three species have become the apex predators of their time. Not only are they the stars of a savannah game drive experience, but they also play a crucial role in maintaining the circle of life. The African cats control herbivore populations, ensuring balance in the local ecosystem and influencing the distribution of plants.
Delve into the grasslands and savannahs or forests and deserts to see some of these dramatic scenes take place. Plus, listen to the powerful roar of a lion vibrating through your safari vehicle before watching intently as the wonderful beast defends its territory alongside its pride.
The big cats of Africa are an unforgettable sight on any holiday to these lands.
What other African cat species are there?
Closer in size to the domestic cat you may own, the seven other African wildcat species are:
– Caracal (Caracal caracal)
– Serval (Leptailurus serval)
– African golden cat (Caracal aurata)
– Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
– Sand cat (Felis margarita)
– Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)
– African wildcat (Felis lybica)
PICTURED: Caracal (top left), Serval (bottom left), African golden cat (top middle), Jungle cat (middle), Sand cat (bottom middle), Black-footed cat (top right), African wildcat (bottom right)
Best spots to see big cats in Africa
1. Masai Mara, Kenya
If you’re looking to see some of the best a safari can offer, few parks can boast a legendary wildlife reputation that rivals the Masai Mara.
Within Kenya, the abundant plains are bustling with extensive populations of prey that attract large prides of lions, leopards or cheetahs year-round. This makes the Mara a globally renowned spot for exceptional game viewing and up-close sightings of the predatory African cats.
“Kenya’s majestic plains and rocky outcrops are packed with huge densities of game. If you’re lucky enough to happen upon a chase between a cheetah and a wildebeest, watch in awe. Whereas cheetahs are known for reaching eye-watering speeds of up to 75mph, wildebeest are no slouches either, as they’re able to hit up to 50mph!” – Craig, Africa Travel Specialist
There’s ample opportunity to see big cats on African safari holidays in Kenya. You can follow in the footsteps of Jonathan Scott, former presenter of the BBC’s Big Cat Diary (1996—2008), and peer into the lives of the Marsh Pride of Lions across the Mara. From his base at Governors’ Camp, a luxury tented accommodation beside the Mara River, you can enjoy up to three game drives per day, giving you plenty of chances for encounters.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Masai Mara
Visit between July and September.
The nature reserve provides the backdrop for the Great Migration, in which over two million wildebeest and zebra risk dashing through crocodile and big cat territory around the Mara River.
2. Serengeti, Tanzania
In Tanzania, the grassy savannah of the Mara forms the vast, open Serengeti National Park. Big cats in Africa love roaming unknowingly between the border of the two countries, along with the gigantic herds of wildebeest, zebras, eland and gazelles during the Great Migration.
The rivers burst with hippos and crocodiles, wading through shimmering waters. But the real stars of the show are found in the denser bush and acacia spanning the park’s central region. Here, you can regularly spot lions and cheetahs on safari excursions. Tanzania is famous for another of its feline inhabitants, though. The secretive nature of the leopard makes them trickier to catch sight of, but the central Serengeti and Seronera River Valley offer some of the best leopard sightings in Africa. As you traverse the swamps, you may see the spotted cats in the branches of sausage trees, often taking a break or carrying their prey up to avoid scavengers.
Suggested accommodation: Nyikani Migration Camp moves seasonally to follow game movement, giving you a great chance to witness river crossings, hippos and large cats.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Serengeti
The Great Migration occurs here from December to July. Large columns of wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle gather for the trek to Kenya’s grazing pastures, with big cats always in chase.
3. South Luangwa, Zambia
Why not venture into South Luangwa National Park for your African cat safari? The eastern border of the national park is skirted by the endlessly meandering, indecisive path of the Luangwa River, which is a major tributary of the almighty Zambezi River in Zambia. The life the river breathes into the region invites larger wildlife; herds of buffalo and elephant walk the plains among antelope, while the snaking river and oxbow lakes are home to the valley’s crocodiles.
If you’re looking to spot the big cats, you’ll have regular encounters with lions and leopards on safari drives in the company of your friendly, knowledgeable guides. Experienced in tracking big cats, they entice travellers around the world to the park’s bushlands for walking safaris. Also, some of the smaller cats in the area are adept hunters that prey on small rodents, showcasing their role in the ecosystem and their adaptability to different environments.
Suggested accommodation: Chinzombo is set in 24 hectares of private Luangwa River frontage. It’s modern yet carefully designed to be immersed within the bush surrounding it.
Best time to spot African big cats in South Luangwa
By June, the wildlife in South Luangwa begins congregating towards the rivers and waterholes. Additionally, the shorter grasses lend well to more fruitful sightings of the iconic big cats.
In the rainy season, from November to April, the river bursts its banks, flooding the national park and transforming bare, dry bush into stretches of lush, green vegetation and tall grasses.
4. Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Thundering over Victoria Falls, zigzagging through Batoka Gorge and flowing into Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River continues more sedately eastwards through the Lower Zambezi Valley.
Situated southwest of South Luangwa in Zambia, some of the big cats of Africa you can see here are lion and leopard prides. These remain abundant and often easily spotted, hiding in the shade of acacia tree canopies between hunts. Just like in the Serengeti, leopards in the Lower Zambezi climb trees to store their prey and avoid other predators.
The region is flanked by remote floodplains, broadleaf woodlands and dense forests. It supports antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and elephant herds, which is ideal if you’re an avid safari goer.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Lower Zambezi
Plan your trip to Lower Zambezi between July and October.
During this dry season, the low rainfall and sparse vegetation create ideal conditions to see big cats. From the rocky outcrops to the riverine forest, these creatures are far easier to spot.
5. Okavango Delta, Botswana
A hotspot for leopard and lion encounters, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is home to many prime habitats in which to view exciting big cat activity.
In the remote northeast, Duba Plains has a famous story of lions killing buffalo. A thousand-strong herd of buffalo and three prides of lion battle almost daily. Although raw and deadly, it’s not a one-sided affair as the buffalo fight back with determination, attempting to gouge the lions with their sharp horns. This drama is riveting, providing fantastic photographic opportunities.
You can also visit the Selinda pride in the 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve, featured in the National Geographic film, Birth of a Pride (by award-winning filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert). Through the footage, you follow them and learn of a story of success and victory over bad land use, as well as how wildlife can recover if left alone and the pride’s regular behaviour.
Other cats you may see in the Delta include caracals and African wildcats.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Okavango Delta
The best time to visit the Delta is during the dry season, from May to October.
6. Kalahari, Botswana
Botswana and its diverse landscapes, inhabited by plentiful wildlife, have helped put it well and truly on the map. Covering much of the central region, the Kalahari Desert is the world’s largest sand basin, while the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the world’s largest game reserve.
For many years, it was closed to the public, rendering it one of Africa’s last great true wildernesses. This has allowed large wildlife populations to flourish, including the big cats.
Lions, leopards and cheetahs wait here for the thousands of wildebeest, zebra and springbok that migrate to the area at the beginning of every year. The cheetah’s long legs are part of the anatomical adaptations that enable speed and agility during the chase. And, in among them, you might be lucky to spot the majestic Kalahari black-maned lion.
You may also see Africa’s smallest wild cat (the black-footed cat) in the dry grassland.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Kalahari
A great time to travel is May, which marks the beginning of the dry season in Southern Africa.
7. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Lapping up the natural springs and fresh fountains, the wildlife of Etosha National Park is spoilt for choice when it comes to the numerous waterholes scattered across the region.
Positioned in northern Namibia, this big cat country is a sprawling paradise for the four-legged creatures to roam. Its combination of wide plains and seemingly never-ending salt pans creates a largely uninhabited ecosystem. With leopards, you’re most likely to experience an encounter at night. But in Moringa or Rietfontein, you may be lucky enough to see them in the day.
These big cats of Africa are often secretive. But the legendary desert lions are far from it, having adapted to the harsh conditions of the dry environment around them.
Best time to spot African big cats in Etosha National Park
May to October is the best time to visit Etosha.
The national park provides great game viewing all year. But this period is especially sought after due to the scarce watering holes, which lead to more reliable wildlife watching opportunities.
8. Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Have you ever wanted to experience an Africa big cats safari on the Skeleton Coast in Namibia?
“The Land God Made in Anger” is a stark landscape where the desert meets the Atlantic, with famous big cats like the desert-adapted lions that are the only known pride to hunt marine life.
In 2015, three lions (Alpha, Bravo and Charly) were born and had to survive after becoming orphans. As inland prey was dwindling, the lionesses targeted marine birds and Cape fur seals (the first to do so in over 40 years!). Now, marine foods account for over 80% of their diet.
A documentary following them, ‘Lions of the Skeleton Coast’ (by award-winning filmmakers Will and Lianne Steenkamp), tells their legacy on the coast. But, during your visit here, the lion rangers of the local campsite will receive GPS coordinates if a lion approaches the 40km stretch of beach around Torra Bay. You can be taken to see them from a safe distance.
Suggested accommodation: Hoanib Skeleton Coast is set in Namibia’s ancient Kaokoveld, inviting you to hike the enormous sand dunes and dine under the magical stars of the night sky.
Best time to spot African big cats in the Skeleton Coast
Visit the Skeleton Coast from July to October, when wildlife head to limited water sources. Also, you have ample opportunities to see how lions interact with each other and their hunting habits.
9. Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa safari holidays in Kruger National Park are ideal if you’re someone who’s looking for a world-renowned self-drive experience or simply want to spot the Big Five. Not only this, but there are all three of the big cats in Africa ready for you to encounter.
Lions have a broad diet with over 37 species at Kruger. If you follow the big game herds, chances are these royal mammals are waiting. Their preference is buffalo, zebra and wildebeest.
Cheetahs use the element of surprise. Along with their short stamina, they have relatively small jaws and teeth, so it takes anywhere between five and 25 minutes for their prey to pass on.
Leopards ambush or stalk when hunting. When they get close enough, they make an explosive pounce and aim for the neck. If this leads to a chase, the spotted big cat tends to give up.
Suggested accommodation: Although located on the western border of Kruger Park in Sabi Sands, Simbambili Game Lodge is famed for its large cat sightings, particularly leopards.
Best time to spot African big cats in Kruger National Park
In the dry season, from May to September, you have the best conditions for game viewing at Kruger. The vegetation reduces, and the animals rely on the limited water sources available.
10. Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
A series of private game reserves cluster around the western border of the Kruger Park, making up the Sabi Sand Wildlife Reserve, the premier ‘Big Five’ game destination in South Africa.
No fences or barriers exist between the two, allowing wildlife to move freely. But in the private reserves, your guides are permitted to take you off-road and deeper into the wild bush. This gives you the opportunity to get closer to the wildlife in their natural habitat.
The area is known for its excellent close-range sightings of African cats like lions and leopards, whereas armed bush walks invite you to explore the area on foot with your guide.
“Sabi Sand is home to 145 wildlife variants and a whopping 500 species of birds, making it a fantastic safari destination. A three-night stay is the perfect amount of time to experience the thrilling game drives offered here. Wildlife is abundant and varied, the guides provide a wealth of knowledge, and the natural surroundings are awe-inspiring.” – Nikki, Africa Travel Specialist
This park is particularly special at night. It offers a series of late afternoon safaris that follow the reserve’s magnificent leopards into the early evening in the hope of catching them hunting in the dusk. The leopards’ keen eyesight gives them a significant advantage during these night hunts, making them highly effective nocturnal predators.
Best time to spot African big cats in Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Travel from May to September.
The weather is warmer, whereas the wildlife can be found congregating around the water holes. Other than big cats, the species roaming here include hippos, giraffes and more.
Ready to plan your big cat safari with Rainbow?
Speak with our Travel Specialists to plan your Africa safari holidays. Having the opportunity to witness big cats in their natural habitat is an experience you’ll never forget, and something you’ll be craving to re-do time and time again.
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