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5 Best Places To See Big Cats In Tanzania, Africa
The 5 best places to see Big Cats in Tanzania are national parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, etc. In Tanzania, you can see rare examples of the large cat family that are generally only seen in a handful of countries or parks. . are excellent places to see big cats including lions, cheetahs, leopards, servals, and more. Learn more about these recognizable tigers on a safari across the largest animal savannah on the planet. A Tanzania safari will allow you to go in search of the following big cats:
Lion
Safari goers to Tanzania often make seeing a lion their main priority because it is the most recognizable of the big cats. On a Tanzania safari, you can visit a number of national parks where you can get up up and personal with these fierce predators. This deadly hunter from Tanzania’s savannahs is known as the “Jungle King” or “king of the beast” because of the symbolism of regal power and prestige it carries.
Cheetah
East African cheetahs are one of the most striking of the five cheetah subspecies found around the globe. Although you can catch a glimpse of this subspecies in Kenya, Uganda, and even Somalia, your best bet is to travel to Tanzania. This subspecies of cheetah is the largest and oldest of all cheetahs. They are distinguished from other members of their subspecies by a tear-mark that extends from one eye to the other and then over the lower lip.
Leopard
You’ll have a better chance of encountering leopards in Tanzania’s northern national parks, and they’re one of the most ferocious big cats overall. The picturesque Seronera River Valley in Central Serengeti is one of the best places in Tanzania to see leopards. As Leopards are rather simple to identify, this area attracts a lot of wildlife photographers who want to get a good shot of the elusive cats in action. You may also go leopard-spotting in Manyara and Tarangire in addition to Serengeti Ngorongoro. It is unusual to see more than one leopard in a given area, with the exception of mating pairs or a mother and cubs.
Caracal
Caracals are one of the most acrobatic cats in the Tanzanian savannahs and can be seen in abundance at the country’s many wildlife preserves. These little but furious felines are more recognized for their one-of-a-kind hunting techniques. Amazingly, these felines are so skilled at hunting that they can snag birds mid-flight. This elusive species can be easily spotted on a Tanzania safari thanks to the long, elongated hair that grows on top of their ears and can be more than half the size of the ear.
Serval
The serval is a uniquely African species that is only occasionally seen in northern Africa but is common in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Some of these indigenous species—of which there are 19 sub-species—can be found in Tanzania’s national park. The Serval is known by its scientific name, Leptailurus serval. These creatures are reclusive by nature, only coming together to breed during the mare season.
Genets
Originating in more than twenty-five different African countries Genets are opportunistic eaters who will devour everything they can get their mouths on. These famous carnivores can be seen in a select few regions of Tanzania, where between 14 and 17 species can be found. They can grow to a length of 40-60 centimeters and a weight of 1-3 kilograms, and their diet consists primarily of small rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
African wild cat
In Tanzania, you can frequently find African wild cats both in the country’s national parks and in people’s homes, as this species is also domesticated. An African wildcat can be identified by its sandy-grey, light fur that has a faint yellow or reddish tinge. They eat rodents, mice, gerbils, hares, and tiny to medium-sized birds.
Panthera Onotocans
The smallest and deadliest of the country’s wild cats, the black-footed cats or little spotted cats are found only in the south-western dry zone of Southern Africa. These African cats can range in weight from 1.3 kg to 1.65 kg and have a body length of 36.7 cm to 43.3 cm, with a tail length of 16.4 cm to 19.8 cm. The name “black-footed cat” comes from the fact that the pads and undersides of this species of cat’s feet are also black. These cats have killer hunting skills and prey on tiny animals and birds.
African Golden Cat
The African golden cat is a near relative of the caracal and the serval, and is found only in Africa. The coat of an African wildcat can be any shade from light tan to black. African Golden cats have lighter, nearly white coloring on their bellies and in the areas surrounding their eyes, cheekbones, chin, and throat. Consequently, it is simple to identify them.
You may be able to find some of these iconic and rare felines elsewhere in the world, but they are all native to Africa and can only be seen in a few locations in Tanzania. When organizing a trip to Tanzania, it is best to work with a professional tour operator They can show you everything from the largest to the tiniest and rarest animals and tell you everything you need to know about them. Jerry Tanzania Tours can take you on a safari around Tanzania so you may experience the amazing wildlife and landscapes of Africa.