Apex predators are animals that have no natural predators of their own, residing at the top of the food chain. We have selected the finest regions to see cheetah, lion and leopard in Africa.
The regions where one can see the greatest concentrations of big cats, especially lions, are the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, where the Big Cat Diary presented by world renowned photographer Jonathan Scott, was filmed. One can also see excellent lion populations in Zambia and Uganda.
Learn more about spending some time whilst on safari with a lion researcher in Laikipia, Kenya, getting up close and personal, whilst more importantly, understanding these species on a much deeper level.
Stay in a luxury, private tented mobile camp erected just for you, close to where a resident pride are known to live. Contact us for further details.
What other big cat safaris are there?
Leopards
Leopards offer infinite intrigue, being the most elusive big cat predator of all. Shy by nature, these incredibly powerful creatures tend to be more nocturnal and hunt alone. The best places to see leopard are Londolozi lodge in South Africa, where their logo is a leopard and they virtually guarantee leopard sightings – to the south Luangwa region in Zambia which has the highest concentration of leopard. Favouring riverine areas, for our clients who want to have the best opportunity of seeing leopard, if not placing them at the properties above, we invariably will keep them in riverine areas or rocky regions. In addition, we have a special departure once a year with renowned wildlife expert, Graham Cooke who is a leopard expert and has written on his experiences of raising wild leopard in Zambia in his book My Life with Leopards. He will personally lead our small groups in the region where he raised, and released, his leopards and give you the most amazing wildlife safari! Please contact us here for further details.
Cheetah
These animals are seen most regularly in the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. In fact, one group of cheetah were known to regularly jump onto the bonnets of safari vehicles in the Masai Mara! In addition, healthy populations can be seen in the Kruger National Park in South Africa and also in Linyanti and Moremi wildlife reserve regions in Botswana. For anyone wanting to understand cheetah on a closer basis, the three best ways of getting up and personal are: In Namibia, at Okonjima where one can spend time with habituated cheetah after they have been rescued from livestock farms, or go out with cheetah researcher scientist Dr Laurie Marker for a privileged, indepth understanding of cheetahs . Another place where they collar cheetahs, for research is Samara reserve in the Karoo in the western Cape. In South Africa, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, there is the de Wildt cheetah sanctuary where one can go on a three hour walk with the keeper of the cheetahs, accompanying them on their morning walk and hunt.
