Jaguar

Description: The jaguar is the third largest cat behind the tiger and lion and is the largest cat in the western hemisphere. The spotted markings resemble that of a leopard except that the jaguar has a black spot inside the rosettes. It is known as a stalk and ambush predator catching anything from frogs and mice up to deer, anacondas and even caimans. They are usually solitary except during the mating season and when a female has cubs. They have very powerful jaws allowing them to pierce the shell of reptiles and to crush the skull of their prey.

Distribution: The jaguars range starts in the southern USA and extends through the jungles of Central America as far south as Northern Argentina. Its habitat ranges from the dense jungles of Central and South America to the open wetlands of the Pantanal in Brazil.


Level of Protection: The jaguar is considered “Near Threatened” and its population is on the decline due to habitat destruction and farming methods. Due to the fact that jaguars live in thick rainforest it is difficult to estimate the population left in the wild today.

Best time to visit: One of the best places to see the jaguar in the wild is in the Pantanal in Brazil. The best time to see jaguars is during the drier months between late June and late October when the jaguars prey animals congregate around the diminishing water.

Snow Leopard

Description: Slightly smaller than an African or Asian leopard weighing between 35 and 55 Kg. Snow leopards have an exceptionally long tail which aids in balance as well as a face warmer during snow storms. They also have large paws which act as snow shoes helping them walk on the soft snow. They have the distinctive leopard rosettes on a thick grey-white fur. Their prey includes wild and domestic animals which can be as much as three time their own body weight.

Distribution: Snow leopards are found at high altitudes in the Himalaya Mountains of Central and South Asia.

Level of Protection: With an estimated 4000 – 7500 individuals found in the wild today they have been placed on the “Red list” of threatened species as “endangered”. Snow leopards are killed by goat herders and by poachers for their prized pelts. They are only now been seen as a tourist attraction and hopefully this will save this remarkable animal from extinction.

Best time to visit: To Be Discussed

Safaris Available: One of the best areas to see snow leopards is in Ladakh in Northern India.

Bengal Tiger

Description: The tiger is the largest of the big cats reaching 4 metres in length and weighing in at around 300 kilograms. Tigers have unmistakable black striped pattern over orange fur with lighter under parts with each pattern being unique. Generally they are solitary except during mating season and when the female has cubs with her. They hunt alone taking medium to larger prey species depending on distribution. They are one of the few cats that are very comfortable in water often swimming or lounging in the shallows to cool off.

Distribution: Spread across the Asian continent tigers can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Sumatra), Russia, Tibet, Malaysia and North Korea . Habitat ranges from humid jungles of Sumatra to the foothills of the Himalayas.


Level of protection: Endangered to critically endangered with 4000 – 6000 animals left in the wild with 3 subspecies already extinct. (Balinese, Javan, Caspian tiger).

Best time to visit: November to June before the monsoons when many of the national parks close.

Safaris available: India national parks. Why not link a safari to see the tigers of India and snow leopards of the Himalayas?

Asiatic Lion

Description: Slightly shaggier and smaller than their African cousins the Asiatic lion does share some similarities. They live in family prides often using their numbers to ambush their prey. Males have a large mane of hair on their head which extends down their throats to the front legs and over their backs to the shoulders. The females lack the mane of the males and are slightly smaller making them more agile and better hunters. Lion colouration varies from light buff to yellowish, reddish or brown. When they are cubs they have rosette spots on their bodies, but as they mature these disappear.

Distribution: Nowadays only found in the Sasan Gir National Park in India.

Level of Protection: With 359 individuals left in the wild and only found in Sasan Gir National Park. The Lion is protected by the government of India and is being promoted for tourism.

Best time to visit: October to June

Safaris Available: An Indian Wildlife Safari in Sasan Gir National Park

African Lion

Description: Lions vary in colour from light buff to yellowish, reddish or brown making them unmistakable compared with the other large cats in Africa. They are the top of the food chain when it comes to animals in Africa rightfully earning their title of the “King of the Jungle”. They live in groups called prides consisting of females usually belonging to the same family and then there will be between 1 and 4 males who defend the territory. Most of the hunting is done by the smaller more agile females who will work together to hunt anything from small antelope up to buffalo and even giraffe. In Savuti in Botswana they have learnt to hunt young elephant. When they are hunting larger prey the males will often get involved to help tackle the dangerous animals. Males have a large mane of hair which can be beige or black depending on the individual and the area they live in.

Distribution: Found in isolated parks throughout Southern Africa extending through Zambia and Malawi into Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia and Uganda with pockets of prides found across Africa just south of the Sahara Desert.

Level of Protection: A recent study estimates the population of the lion to be between 16,500 and 47,000 animals living in the wild. Their numbers are on the decline and it is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.



Best time to visit: Subject to the destination you are visiting.

Safaris available: You will have a chance to see lions on a safari to South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia and even Uganda.

Leopard

Description: Leopards are the smallest of the big cats with a long body and small legs giving them a low centre of gravity. Their coat is a dull golden colour with black rosettes making it different from that of the cheetah that has solid spots. These rosettes help the leopard blend in, making it very difficult to see them in the wild. Their low centre of gravity allows them to climb very well. Along with their powerful jaws this allows them to haul their prey into a tree out of reach of lions, hyenas and in Asia, tigers. The leopard is one of the more elusive cats making it a privilege to see one whilst on safari. Leopards are opportunistic hunters taking anything from mice to medium sized antelope, even small zebra. They are predominantly nocturnal hunters getting to within a couple of metres of their prey before they pounce. There are several subspecies of leopards found throughout Asia and Africa.


Distribution: Leopards are wide spread throughout Asia and Africa from South Africa to Korea. They are able to live in all types of habitats from the deserts of Namibia to the rainforests of Central Africa.

Level of Protection: Although a lot of the leopard’s habitat is being destroyed and their numbers are on the decline they remain the “Least Concern” species because their numbers are greater than that of the other large cats.

Best time to visit: In India the best time to see the leopard is November to June and in Africa it depends on where you are going on safari.

Safaris available: Safaris to Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Etosha Pan National Park in Namibia, Masai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania and Sabi Sands in South Africa are just a few of the places where you have the chance of seeing this elusive cat.

Cheetah

Description: Cheetah differ from leopards in that their spots are solid compared to the rosettes of leopards. They have longer legs and thinner bodies and they have “tear” marks down their cheeks. They are different from the other big cats in that they lack the ability to retract their claws. They are the fastest land animals in the world reaching speeds of up to 112 kph (70mph) and can sustain this speed for up to 450 metres. They hunt during the day to avoid competing with lions and leopards and will take anything from baby antelope to wildebeest and even ostrich. Their “tear marks” aid in absorbing the bright sunlight whilst hunting preventing the glare from getting into their eyes and blinding them. Usually solitary but you may find a family group sticking together or a group of dominant males forming a coalition. The young are born and resemble honey badgers as a form of defence. Found in open spaces allowing them to chase down their prey without obstacles.

Distribution: Found in fragmented parks from South Africa through to Kenya and Tanzania with an extremely small population (50) found in Iran. Some of the bigger populations of these cats are found outside of the major reserves where there is less competition from lions.

Level of Protection: Cheetah are included on the World Conservation Union list of vulnerable species with an estimated 12,400 animals left in 25 countries. Namibia has the highest population of cheetah in Africa with an estimated 2,500 individuals.

Best time to visit: The drier months are the best times to see cheetah as the bush is not as thick as during the wetter months. This will depend on where you are going on safari.

Safaris available: Wildlife safaris to Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa will give you the best opportunity to see cheetahs. If you are lucky you can see them in Kafue National Park in Zambia and in Chobe National Park and Moremi Reserve in Botswana.

Big Cats

Meet the Big Cats here,

Please find further information below. World Big Cat Safaris aims to put the traveller in the right place at the right time in order to maximise your wildlife viewing opportunities. The information listed below illustrates the level of extinction these big cats are facing and what we are trying to do to help them. From each safari sold we donate a percentage to the conservation of big cats in a destination of choice. If you are interested in finding out more about the projects that we have supported please visit the conservation page. For safaris to see the big cats in their natural surroundings please contact us for further information.