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The 10 cat species of Africa

For the most part, the big cats of Africa need no introduction, and are the highlight of any African safari. But it is not necessarily common knowledge that seven other cat species call Africa home. Most of these are small, secretive and seldom seen, even by the researchers attempting to learn more about their behaviour and ecology. They may not be as well-known as the big cats, or indeed as easy to see, but these medium-sized and small cats are equally beguiling. They also face the same threats – habitat loss, deforestation, bushmeat poaching and indiscriminate snares are sweeping threats to wildlife regardless of size.

These are the ten cat species of Africa (as recognised by the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN’s Cat Specialist Group):

1. African lion – Panthera leo

The largest of our cat species and the second largest in the world, these iconic big cats are the apex predator in all of the African wilderness areas in which they occur. They are also the only true social cat species on the planet, and one of the most sought-after species on any African safari.

In 2014, the IUCN assessed their population as ranging from between 23,000 to 39,000 individuals but more recent assessments from Panthera and other conservation organisations now suggest that there may be less than 20,000 wild lions in Africa. Lions are classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List .

2. African leopard – Panthera pardus pardus

Secretive yet highly adaptable, the exquisite aesthetic and graceful power of leopards make them a firm favourite for safari-goers. Their rosetted coats provide the perfect camouflage which in turn allows them to be extremely successful ambush predators, but their light-footed approach to stealth belies their sheer strength. Where necessary, leopards can lift kills over twice their body weight metres high into suitable trees.

Though the African leopard was confirmed as a subspecies by the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN’s Cat Specialist Group in 2017, leopards from Africa and across Asia are considered to be the same species, meaning that they have the most extensive distribution range of any of the big cats. Due to their secretive, solitary nature, there are no accurate estimates of how many leopards there are left in the wild. Leopards are classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

3. Cheetah – Acinonyx jubatus

Fleet-of-foot yet slight and retiring, the cheetah is something of an odd one out. As the fastest land mammal in the world, it also boasts the highest hunting success rate of the big cats but is constantly harassed by other larger predators and regularly loses its hard-won meals. Cheetah hunt mainly during the day to reduce competition with the nocturnal predators, hence the characteristic “tear marks” that run from the corners of the eyes to the mouth which help to reduce the glare from the sun.

There are believed to be around 7,000 cheetahs left in the wild, and the individuals that do remain have been observed to have unusually low genetic variability. Cheetahs are classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

Medium-sized cats

4. Serval – Leptailurus serval

The serval is the only member of its genus and bears only a passing resemblance to a cheetah, despite regularly being mistaken for one thanks to their spotted coat and similar colouration. They are far smaller than cheetahs – weighing at most 18kg (large cheetah have been recorded weighing over 70kg). Their legs are very long, yet their tails appear almost disproportionately short, and their large ears are used to pinpoint to smallest rustles of rodents in the long grass. A hunting serval that has detected the sounds of rodents or other available prey remains motionless before launching upwards to heights of more than 2m and covering distances of over 3.5m.

The population of this inconspicuous cat is unknown, but their numbers are believed to be stable, and the IUCN Red List classifies them as being of ‘least concern’.

5. Caracal – Caracal caracal

Slightly shorter and stockier looking than the sympatric serval, there is something particularly regal about the caracal. This look is complemented by the long tufts of fur extending from the tips of their ears. These reddish cats survive off small mammals and rodents but have been known to tackle larger prey such as young antelope. They are expert jumpers and regularly grab birds up to 3m in the air.

Their exact numbers in the wild are unknown, and they are classified as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List. However, there are countries throughout its range where it is considered to be rare or endangered.

6. African Golden Cat – Caracal aurata

Few people are even aware of the existence of the African golden cat, and even less have had the good fortune to see one in the wild . This shy and secretive cat is endemic to the rainforests of West, and Central Africa and researchers are working hard to supplement the scant information available on its behaviour, distribution and ecology. Camera trap footage has been essential is capturing snippets of information about the golden cat, such as this footage of one hunting red colobus monkeys in Uganda.

Genetic analysis shows that it is closely related to the caracal and the two species do share a similar look, though the golden cat lacks the characteristic black ear tufts. While it is believed to be locally common in certain parts of Gabon and Uganda, this attractive cat is threatened by increasing habitat loss due to deforestation, as well as bushmeat hunting. It is classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

The small cats

7. Jungle Cat – Felis chaus

Also known as the “swamp” or “reed” cat, this small felid is widespread throughout much of the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia but in Africa is found only in wetter regions of Egypt (mainly along the Nile Delta). This wetland dwelling cat prefers dense ground cover and hunts small rodents and birds. It is listed as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

8. African wildcat – Felis lybica

The ancestor of the domestic cat, these cats are often mistaken for their domestic cousins, though they can be distinguished (occasionally with difficulty) by their slightly longer, banded legs and reddish ear colouration. This genetic closeness is one of the greatest threats to African wildcat populations because interbreeding with domestic cats is common, resulting in significant genetic pollution. The African wildcat has only recently been recognised as being a distinct species – it was initially considered a subspecies of Felis silvestris (European wildcat), but the recent revision by the Cat Classification Task Force may see it shift from its current IUCN Red List conservation status of ‘least concern’.

9. Sand cat – Felis margarita

This tiny desert-dwelling cat is well adapted to handle the extremes of its desert habitat, both in terms of a lack of water as well as the temperature fluctuations. The African subspecies F. m. margarita is slightly smaller and more yellow than the Asian subspecies. Interestingly, its ear canal is about twice the size of a domestic cat’s and its hearing is roughly five times more acute.

Though considered to be of least concern in terms of conservation status, these cats are secretive and hard to find. Rare images of sand cat kittens can be viewed here . Sand cats are classified as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

10. Black-footed cat – Felis nigripes

Also known as the “small-spotted cat”, the black-footed cat is the smallest of all of the African cat species and is endemic to the southwestern areas of Southern Africa. They may be tricky to spot when on your African safari, as they are extremely elusive. These tiny cats weigh less than 2kg on average but are reputed to be the most successful hunters of all the cat species.

While it is difficult for researchers to estimate the number of black-footed cats in the wild, they believe that there are less than 10,000 mature individuals and that the population is declining. For these reasons, the black-footed cat is listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

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• Wild African Cats: Guardians of the Untamed Savanna

• Africa , Wildlife
• Wild Safari Guide
• No Comments
• July 22, 2023

Africa’s untamed landscapes are the domain of some of the world’s most captivating and enigmatic creatures – the wild African cats. From the awe-inspiring lion, symbolizing strength and unity, to the elusive leopard, stealthily weaving through the dense vegetation, these felines are the epitome of grace, power, and survival. In this blog post, we embark on a thrilling safari to explore the lives of these magnificent predators and understand their indispensable role in preserving the delicate balance of the African ecosystem.

The Mighty Lion: 

The undisputed king of the savanna, the African lion, exudes majesty and pride. Delve into the fascinating social structures of lion prides, led by dominant males, while lionesses showcase their hunting prowess. Learn about their iconic roars, fierce territoriality, and how these charismatic big cats shape the landscape of their habitats.

The Elusive Leopard: 

Veiled in mystery and elegance, the African leopard is a master of stealth. Wander through dense forests and rocky terrain to encounter these solitary and elusive hunters. Discover their exceptional climbing abilities and unique rosette patterns, perfectly adapting to their surroundings.

The Graceful Cheetah: 

Speeding through the plains, the cheetah captures hearts with its unparalleled grace and speed. Witness their lightning-fast chases and learn about their specialized hunting techniques. Explore the challenges they face in the wild and the importance of conserving their habitats for their survival.

The Tenacious African Wildcat: 

Meet the lesser-known African wildcat, the ancestor of our domestic felines. Adapted to various environments, this small cat species exhibits impressive survival skills. Discover how their genetics have influenced domestic cats and the significance of preserving their genetic purity.

Conservation Efforts and Challenges: 

While these wild African cats continue to mesmerize us, they are confronted with various threats. From habitat loss due to human encroachment to poaching and illegal wildlife trade, their survival hangs in the balance. Discover the conservation initiatives undertaken by organizations and communities to protect these majestic species.

The wild African cats are not only ambassadors of Africa’s rich biodiversity but also crucial components of its delicate ecosystems. As we marvel at their beauty and survival instincts, let us remember the responsibility we bear in safeguarding their existence for generations to come. By supporting conservation efforts and raising awareness about the challenges they face, we can ensure that these guardians of the untamed savanna continue to roam freely and inspire awe in the hearts of all who encounter them. Together, let us preserve the legacy of these magnificent felines and secure a future where they continue to thrive in their natural habitat.

• #African Wild Cat
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African Bush Cats - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

On Safari to Save East Africa’s Big Cats

The dry season is not the best time to visit Tanzania. There are only two seasons in East Africa, dry and wet, and most people prefer the damp air and green savannas to dusty roads and dead grass. “I wish you could’ve come when it was wetter,” Laly Lichtenfeld told us as she stood on a hill near her home in the bush, about four hours southwest of Arusha in northern Tanzania. She swept her arm across the landscape. “After it rains, this whole place looks almost like a golf course.”

We visited Tanzania at the peak of the dry season, a week before the rain was expected. The tourists had gone home and, at the least, we figured dusty roads were better than muddy ones.

The plan was to visit Laly, a conservation biologist with an innovative idea to keep East Africa as wild as possible. On a continent where people come to ameliorate poverty or save the landscape, Laly’s story seemed different. She grew up in New Jersey, but after hearing the roar of a lion when she was a teenager, she committed to Africa. She lived first in Kenya then moved to Tanzania, where she started a nonprofit called the African People and Wildlife Fund to engage the local communities. Rather than teach them about how to protect their surroundings, her plan was to understand their needs and find more local ideas. The broader goal would be to protect big cats, which were already seeing their populations decline due to conflicts with humans.

Those cats also have an unlikely story. Despite sitting near the top of the food chain, dominant species like lions have been shrinking in number. Less than a decade ago, there were more than 600 lions in Eastern Africa around Tarangire National Park. Today it’s believed to be roughly half that. There are the usual reasons like loss of habitat and changes in rain patterns. Yet the most dramatic impact has been an increase of conflicts between humans and the animals. If a lion kills a cow belonging to a nearby tribe, warriors from the tribe then kill it in retaliation.

Three hundred lions isn’t many. The number pushes the population close to being unable to recover through wild breeding. Yes, there are more lions further west in the famed Serengeti, and there are strong populations in parts of Asia, but eastern Tanzania’s ecosystem of mammals—like any ecosystem of mammals—depends on biodiversity. Remove cats like lions or cheetahs and the dominoes fall upward. The traditional relationships between prey and predator skew.

T o get to Laly’s camp requires flying into Arusha. Then you sit in a car for four hours on roads strewn with enough holes and dips to simulate a nine-magnitude earthquake. “I don’t even notice the drive anymore,” she said when we pulled up, road weary. The area where she built camp is remote—only last year did it start showing up on Google Maps. A year before that, there was neither cell service for dozens of miles nor available internet. It sits near a watering hole, so she named the plot Noloholo, which in Maasai, the language of the largest tribe in East Africa, means “place of water.”

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The Maasai have some of the most sustainable customs on the planet. They carry their water from nearby streams, and eat only food they can produce nearby. But the Maasai’s long-held custom to kill threatening animals was disproportionately targeting lions.

A normal conservation NGO might parachute in and dispatch volunteers to plead with tribal elders to stop the practice, pitching earthly harmony and animal sympathy. But customs can rarely be changed by a PR campaign. “I don’t think cultures change from the outside,” Laly told us as we headed to meet some of the tribal elders who requested her help to protect their flocks. “They change from within.” The translation: one American expat is not going to convince thousands of nearby Maasai families to give up a custom central to how they survive and protect themselves.

She figured that keeping big cats away from people could be the most effective way to keep them alive.

A better idea was to eliminate the need to retaliate in the first place. Or, in other words, build better fences. Maasai keep their livestock in fenced rings fortified by sharp thorns from Acacia trees. The cows stay inside the ring and the lions stay out; any break in the flimsy chain invites a hungry cat inside. But what if they fortified the barrier with chain link and held it in place with sturdy trees? Laly figured that keeping big cats away from people could be the most effective way to keep them alive.

So since 2000, Laly and her staff, which has grown to 65, have been pursuing her idea of building better fences, or as she calls them, living walls for livestock within a boma , the Maasai word for a family’s plot. With grants from National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative and several foundations, as well as a fundraising program that allows donors to sponsor a living wall, Laly’s goal is to build 100 of the by the end of this year. The longer term plan is to create 1,200 in nearby villages, then expand to other areas.

It brings to mind the proverb about teaching a man to fish versus catching one for him. “We’re not building these for them,” Laly said standing in a dusty expanse near several small huts. Each Maasai family has to cover 25 percent of the cost of the new fence. Then they have to certify that they’ll maintain it, and patch it when necessary. Usually it’s worth it. One Maasai elder said he had long been paying much more than the set-up cost in hours unslept, staring awake listening for lions.

B efore we left Tanzania, Laly wanted to make sure we got to see some wildlife. She took us to one of her favorite spots, a jutting outcrop called Ngarhari Rock that could be the backdrop for the live-action version of the Lion King. It’s also the spot where she married her husband, Charles, who helped her build Noloholo.

“In order to make a real difference in conservation you have to be dedicated and make a commitment to an area,” she said, waxing philosophical about why she’ll probably never leave Africa.

For all of the downside of the dry season, there are still good parts about visiting when there’s dust in the air. It turned out to be the best time to see wildlife. With only a few spots to find water, the lions and elephants and zebras tend to all congregate near each other, rather than scatter far apart.

Early the next morning, Laly took us on a safari through the nearby national park, hoping to spot the elusive cats she spends so much time thinking about. Bahati, the Swahili word for luck, was on our side. We saw impala and buffalo, wildebeest and giraffes. Over the course of the drive, 16 lions (of the area’s roughly 300) came within view, an unheard of number for one day that Laly worried out loud might undercut her claim that the cats really are threatened (fact check: they are ).

Last fall, Laly became a mother to a baby girl named Kemah. She’ll be raised at Noloholo, not far from the watering hole and the wildlife it attracts.

A few months after that, Laly became a mother again, A baby impala that had been separated from its family wandered into the camp and refused to leave. They named him Mr. Miguu, Swahili for legs (since his were shaking).

Charles explained that once an animal has the scent of humans on it, it’s hard to be accepted back into the wild. So Laly, against her usual judgement that wild animals belong in the wild, told the staff they could keep him—at least until he started head-butting with sharp horns. For now, they let him sleep in their shower.

To learn more about the work of Laly Lichtenfeld and National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, visit CauseAnUproar.org .

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Top six Africa safari spots to spot big cats

Wednesday 01 April 2020

'This year, I’m booking a safari holiday .

That sounds straight-forward enough, doesn’t it? Well the initial decision is always the simplest bit and it's not always simple when you've never been on a safari before .

With an intoxicating setting of staggering, dramatic landscapes roamed freely by the iconic Big Five, the grand plains of Africa have tempted travellers and wildlife-lovers alike for decades – all that is required is a desire to give in to the allure.

But then you’re faced with a multitude of options to sift through:

• Which country to pick
• The season to visit in
• Classic canvas-tented accommodations or wooden lodges
• Walking and boating excursions or...
• Game drives and night hikes?

At Rainbow Tours, our Africa Travel Experts can help you with all of your questions and tailor-make the perfect safari holiday by combining your needs with our personal recommendations.

Spotting a majestic male lion basking in the heat of the midday sun, watching a proud lioness stalking unsuspecting prey through the grasslands or catching a flash of a cheetah as it dashes towards its next meal are experiences that vie for the top spot of many safari-goers ‘must-see’ list.

We’re always being asked about our feline friends, so we’ve picked our top six safari spots to see big cats in Africa. 

East Africa

Masai mara, kenya.

If you're looking to see some of the best that a safari can offer, few parks can boast a legendary wildlife reputation that rivals the Masai Mara .

In July, August and September this nature reserve heavyweight provides the backdrop for the Great Migration; over a million wildebeest and zebra risk dashing through crocodile territory around the Mara River to reach the fresh undulating grasslands of the savannah. The abundant plains, bustling with extensive populations of food attract large prides of lion, leopard and cheetah year-round, making the Masai Mara National Reserve a globally renowned spot for exceptional game viewing and up-close sightings of the predatory big cats.

There is ample opportunity to see big cats in Kenya. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Jonathon Scott, as he presented the beloved BBC Big Cat Diary series following the lives of the Marsh Pride lion family across the Mara, from his base at Governors’ Camp – a luxury tented accommodation we use today. 

Serengeti, Tanzania

The grassy savannah of the Masai Mara extends further south into Tanzania forming the vast open Serengeti National Park and, oblivious to country borders, the vast herd migrations and moving predators roam unknowingly between the two.

The Great Migration occurs here from December to July as columns of wildebeest and zebra gather for the trek to Kenya’s grazing pastures.

Tanzania’s rivers burst with hippo and crocodile but the real stars of the Serengeti are found in the denser bush and Acacia that span the central regions of the park. Here, lion and cheetah are regularly spotted on safari excursions and game drives, but Tanzania is famous for another of its feline inhabitants. The secretive nature of the leopard makes them trickier to catch sight of, but the central Serengeti and the Seronera River Valley boast some of the best leopard sightings in all of Africa .

Suggested Accommodation: We really like Chaka Camp   due to it's authenticity and eco focus.

Southern Africa

South luangwa, zambia.

The eastern border of the South Luangwa National Park is skirted by the endlessly meandering, indecisive path of the Luangwa River, a major tributary of the almighty Zambezi River.

In the rainy season the river bursts its banks, flooding the national park and transforming bare, dry bush into stretches of lush green vegetation.

The life that the river breaths into the region brings in the larger wildlife; herds of buffalo and elephant walk the plains amongst antelope and the snaking river and oxbow lakes are home to the valley’s crocodile populations.

For those looking to spot the big cats, regular encounters with lions and leopards on safari drives and knowledgeable guides experienced in tracking big cats entice travellers to the park’s bush lands and the park is well known for it's walking safaris .

Suggested Accommodation: Chinzombo in Zambia is a luxurious camp that has wildlife sightings in abundance.

Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Zambia’s biggest and loudest character is not one found roaming on four legs through the African landscapes.

The Zambezi River thunders over the Victoria Falls , zigzags through the Batoka Gorge, flows into Lake Kariba and then continues more sedately eastwards through the Lower Zambezi Valley. Its course is flanked by exceptionally beautiful national parks spanning remote floodplains, broadleaf woodland and dense forest, supporting antelope, hippo, crocodiles and large elephant herds.

The calm channels of the Lower Zambezi enables river, boat and canoe safaris to take you close to wildlife and the park allows kayaking and fishing activities to add exciting variety to your holiday. The relatively untouched nature of the park is one of its biggest assets. Some of the the African big cats you can see here are prides of lion and leopard. These remain abundant and often easily spotted, hiding in the shade of Acacia tree canopies between hunts.

Suggested Accommodation: The Royal Zambezi Lodge offers divine views and more divine accommodation.

Sabi Sand Wildlife 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 – South Africa’s premier ‘Big Five’ game reserve.

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 – giving you the opportunity to get closer to the animals in their wild habitat.

The area is known for its excellent close-range lion and leopard sightings and armed bush walks if you wish to explore the area on foot with your guide.

This park is particularly special at night however, offering 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.

Where to stay:  Nottens Bush Camp is a small family run establishment that puts simplicity at the forefront of everything they do.

Kalahari, Botswana

Botswana and its beautiful range of landscapes inhabited by plentiful wildlife has helped put it well and truly on the map.

The Kalahari Desert is the world’s largest sand basin and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, to match, 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 and allowing large wildlife populations to flourish – including the big cats.

Lions, leopard and cheetah can be found throughout the park, waiting for the thousands of wildebeest, zebra and springbok that migrate to the area at the beginning of every year. And, in amongst them, you might be lucky to spot the majestic Kalahari black-maned lion.

Suggested Accommodation: The Kalahari Plains Camp has a strong eco focus that has daily game drives.

If you liked this you might enjoy:

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Top 5 Safaris for the Responsible Traveller

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• African Savannah / Travel / Wildlife

Wild Cats of Africa – Their Unique Characteristics

by Anne · April 8, 2019

The wild cats of Africa are one of the most fascinating animals to see in the African bush. Each cat is known to have a unique character that is adaptive to the specific environment they are situated in. They are carnivorous in nature and are known to be at the top of the food chain as primary consumers .

Apart from the well-known big cats, Africa has a total of ten different wild cats species found in different parts of the continent. They come in different sizes with the lion being the biggest among the big cats while the rest range in size. One of the biggest challenges of wild cats of Africa is habitat loss, poaching and human conflicts in their quest to find food and good breeding grounds for their young ones.

African Lion

The African Lion is characterized as a muscular-deep chested cat. It has a short, rounded head, rounded neck, rounded ears and a hairy tuft at the end of the tail. Males are known to start growing a mane from the age of one year which starts to darken as they age. Their life expectancy in the wild is around 10 to 14 years, weighs between 130 kg to 190kg with the males being heavier.  Female has a gestation period of 110 days and gives birth to 1 to 4 cubs who are born blind and start seeing after around 10 days.

Lions are known to leave in groups called pride that consist of related females and their young ones with one to four males who are in charge of the territory where the pride inhabits. A young male is normally chased out of the pride at the age of two years but the female remains. The young males usually come together and form a coalition. By the age of four years, they take over a pride and start mating with the females to produce their own offspring.

This big cats are very social animals and are known to hunt together. They share the kill with the dominant male taking the bigger share even though the female lead in hunting.

African Leopard

The Leopard is known as the most secretive and elusive of the big cats. They are solitary animals inhabiting an area alone and only coming together to mate or when a female has cubs. The young cubs stay with the mom till when around 14 months then, they wander off on their own.

They have a variety of coat colour depending on habitat and location. It may vary from pale yellow to deep gold and sometimes black. Their coat is decorated with rosette patterns while the head, belly and lower limbs have solid black spots.

This cat is known to inhabit a wide range of habitats around Africa from desert and semi-desert areas. Savannah grasslands to mountainous forest making them the most distributed big cat in Africa. They are also known to survive on a variety of prey targeting various herbivores and even birds.

Although leopards are always photographed on top of trees, they spend most of their lives on the ground. However, they climb trees when running away from possible threats, to hide their kill from scavengers or get a vantage view of their prey. The leopard’s biggest threat is human and habitat conversion.

The cheetah is known as the fastest land mammal bursting to a speed of up to 112 kph/70mph. They normally inhabit dry forests, scrubs forests and Savannah. Though they have lost most of their habitat due to human settlement, poaching and illegal pet trade.

Cheetahs are distinguished from other big cats by their slender body, long legs, a tan coat with black spots, small head and ears with a distinctive tear stripe that stretch from their eyes to the nose. They are sociable cats despite being territorial with the males living in groups called coalition while the female lives with their offspring.

They are active during the day with hunting taking centre stage and their favourite kill being small antelopes and gazelles.

Caracal is a middle-sized cat that is known to be nocturnal, highly secretive and very difficult to sight. It is characterized by a uniformly reddish tan or sandy coat, long legs, short face, long-tufted ears, and long canine teeth. It is a territorial cat and mostly lives alone or in pairs.

The caracal is known to prey on small mammals, rodents and birds. It is known to leap up to mid-air to catch birds. In ancient times, the caracal used to be tamed and used for hunting of birds.

This is a medium-sized cat native to Africa. It is characterized by a small head, large ears, golden brown coat that is spotted and with black stripes and a short black-tipped tail. It has the longest legs on any cat relative to its size.

They are active both in the day time and night. They maintain minimal social interaction and prey on rodents, small birds, frogs, reptiles and insects. They are known to leap up in the air and land on their prey with their forefeet. They can catch birds flying mid-air.

African Wild Cat

African wild cats are widespread all over African and are most active at night looking for prey. They have the very good hearing capability and locate prey very fast. This cat mainly feeds on mice, rats, birds, reptiles and insects. Ancient Egypt was known to domesticate this cat which was used to control rodents in their granaries.

African Golden Cat

The African Golden Cat is medium-sized, compactly built with short legs. It is said to be a close relative of the serval and caracal and mainly inhabit tropical forests and prefers the dense areas with heavy undergrowth. They are solitary animals and little is known of their behaviour. They can climb trees though they prefer to hunt on the ground. They mainly feed on tree hyrax, rodents, birds, small monkeys, duiker and other small antelopes. They have also been known to take down poultry and livestock.

Black-Footed Cat

Black-Footed cat also known as a small-spotted cat is the smallest African cat mainly found in southwestern arid areas of South Africa. Despite its name, only the pads and underparts of the feet are black. It is a rarely seen cat as it is solitary and nocturnal as they spend most of the day sleeping in unoccupied burrows and only hunt at sunset. Unlike other cats, they are poor climbers and avoid tree branches but are good at digging and can extend their sleeping burrows to desired size and shape.

The sand cat is the only cat known to live in true deserts. They have long hairs covering the sole of their feet making them well adapted to the extremes of a desert environment and tolerant to extremely hot and cold temperatures. This cat is known to do well in both sandy and stony deserts far from any water source. The sand cat is known to prey on rodents found in desert areas such as lizards, vipers, sandfish. If they catch more than they can feed, they bury the surplus and consume it later. They get most of their moisture from their prey but if there is water nearby they do drink.

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This is exactly why I want to visit Africa, particularly Kenya. To see the cats of Africa! 

I love cats, if only I can have one of them as pets, like the Lion, I will.

In one of the social media posts of my friend, I saw him ride a vehicle with protective screens on the their windows and windshield. They said it’s the Safari Tour, they are driving through a land filled with these cats. Some of the female lions including their cubs, they climbed atop the vehicle salivating at the tourists. That was so exciting and I’d like to experience the same someday.

I’d like to see the picture of the African Golden Cat. Maybe you can post one in a comment.

You are welcome to come for a safari in Kenya.

It is not advisable to keep a lion as a pet as they are wild and as they grow up you will look like a meal to them and not necessarily it’s keeper.

It seems the place your friend went the cats are not accustomed to tourists hence the protective screens. In Kenya, most wild cats are well habituated to vehicles and tourists and don’t pose any threat but one is advised not to leave their vehicles, or even try to pet wild cats.

The African golden cat is a very elusive cat, very rare to see and the only good pictures taken of it were taken through a hidden camera.

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AFRICAN BUSH CATS (Nairobi) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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How African Bush Camps is Taking Safari Guiding to a Whole New Level

By Jesse Ashlock

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On a wet January morning at Somalisa Camp , in Zimbabwe 's Hwange National Park, a tall, rangy paramedic named Elvis Tavengwa is instructing about three dozen bush guides on the finer points of first aid. “Come on,” he shouts at them, so animated he's almost hovering above the floor. “Your guest is in cardiac arrest. What are you going to do?” The guides, dressed in every imaginable shade of khaki and olive, look at one another, uncertain. “He's dying!” Elvis screams. “Chest compressions! I need chest compressions!” Several guides lurch forward to demonstrate on a dummy.

African Bush Camps founder Beks Ndlovu

Each January during the rainy season, African Bush Camps (ABC) , perhaps the continent's premier Black-owned safari company, closes all of its lodges in Zimbabwe, Zambia , and Botswana , and convenes its guides for a two-week retraining program, the most rigorous in the business. In addition to first aid, this gathering of the Zimbabwe guides will include refresher courses in shooting, tracking, stargazing, photography, and more. During my visit, in addition to Elvis's frantic pedagogy, I witness a workshop on the ABC values (authenticity, empowerment, conservation, collaboration, and care), a candid discussion among leadership about how to encourage more junior “learner” guides to take the steps to earn pro certification, and a team-building exercise during which the guides are given 20 pieces of spaghetti, 10 Band-Aids, a piece of string, and a marshmallow and charged with building a free-standing structure in under 20 minutes.

It's really not so different from a Western corporate retreat. Only instead of taking place in a suburban convention center, it's held in a delightfully classic, very remote tented camp in an acacia grove overlooking a water hole with a resident hippo. And as Elvis demonstrates the proper application of a tourniquet, things are happening out there. A waterbuck bounds by, the white circle on its rump bouncing up and down like a toilet seat that got stuck. Beks Ndlovu, the 47-year-old entrepreneur and former guide who founded ABC 18 years ago, summons me over to point out two lionesses prowling the ridgeline above an ancient dry riverbank.

Lazy lionesses block the vehicle of guide Mariet Mashonganyika

Suddenly, a pack of wild dogs flashes by in hot pursuit of an impala. “You never know what's going to happen,” Beks says as we run off to commandeer a Land Cruiser. We can't find the dogs, only kudu and yellow-billed hornbills. But we do bump into Calvet Nkomo, a veteran guide who has worked at Somalisa since 2013 and is said to know more than anyone about the life histories of the lions in the area. He informs us that the lionesses have made their way into the neighboring Acacia Camp . We exit the Land Cruiser and approach them by foot, watching from behind a fallen log as they loll about, take a few steps, then collapse to the ground again, too stuffed from a recent meal to move. It sure beats a morning coffee break in a drab lobby amid acres of wall-to-wall carpeting.

Beks, a native Zimbabwean, has known this swath of Hwange National Park for more than two decades, since he was guiding for the nearby Makolo Camp and used to sneak guests into the area. After two years of lobbying the Zimbabwean government, he secured the tender and opened Somalisa in 2006 with an emphasis on premium guiding. A few nights earlier, I'd heard Beks tell its origin story to a group of guests at Khwai Lediba, one of ABC's newest camps, on the edge of the Okavango Delta . “You know that thing they say?” he asked. “‘If you build it, they will come’? It isn't true.” But the success of his second camp, Linyanti , in Botswana, helped subsidize Somalisa, and today it is the flagship property of a company that employs around 650 people, including the 60 guides Beks refers to as the company's “superpower.” “We can have the best hideaway, the best design, the shiniest copper bars,” he tells them one morning. “But without you guys and your storytelling, we have nothing.”

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Kyler Alvord

Watchful leopards at Somalisa

Many of the guides tell me that these training programs, along with the ability to rotate among the ABC properties and learn new skills, are what brought them to ABC. “You work at various camps and you always hear about a certain company,” says Michael Tsoka, who came to Somalisa two years ago. “This was always where I wanted to work.” Paul Hobbs, an archaeologist who'd come to give a talk on the colorful history of Hwange National Park, says that ABC increasingly serves as an incubator for guides who go on to work for other outfitters. “Very few companies in this country understand how important retraining is,” he says, “and ABC has set the bar very high.”

In 2021, the company adopted a new mandate to cultivate women guides, in an industry that has long been resistant to them, through its foundation's new ABCF Female Guides program. Its goal is for a minimum of 25 percent of its guides to be women by 2030. During a subsequent stop on my trip at Thorntree River Lodge , near Victoria Falls in Zambia, I would meet one of ABCF's first students, Zita Hwambe. Many African men “believe that a woman's role is in the kitchen,” she says. “But they're warming up to us, because they know we're here to stay.”

A guide consults a birding handbook

Before I head to Thorntree, however, I go on a last sundowner with the Zimbabwe guides at Somalisa. From a hide, I watch, G&T in hand, as a pair of hyenas scamper past a water hole. It's probably the best happy hour I've ever been to. On our way back to camp, I tell Calvet about seeing the lionesses. He says that they were born to one of the daughters of Cecil, the famous lion who was shot by a trophy hunter just outside of Hwange in 2015, prompting an international outcry. After I process that, I remark on how lucky I felt to be there, with people who know so much about this beautiful land and its difficult history.

“Yes, you are,” he says, with the most serious expression he can muster. Then his face lights up in an enormous smile. “Yes, you are.”

African Bush Camps

Established: 2003

Areas of operation: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Goals: No plastics on site by 2025; no plastics in the supply chain by 2030; 25% women guides by 2030

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How To Spend 3 Days In Masai Mara, The Safari Park From The Lion King

This Kenyan national park is one of the best places in the world to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in the wild.

When it comes to planning an African safari , TikTok can agree on one thing: Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya needs to be on your itinerary.

“The Land of the Big Cats” has a reputation as one of the best places on the continent to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in the wild; it was one of the main filming locations of the live-action Lion King movie .

Masai Mara’s location in the Great Rift Valley gives it a leg up on wildlife diversity compared to other reserves. Its 580 miles of lush savannah is home to almost 90 different mammal species, and safari-goers have a good chance of spotting all of the African “Big Five” — lions, leopards, elephants, African buffalo, and the elusive black rhinos — as well as members of the slightly lesser-known (but equally ‘Gram-worthy) so-called “Ugly Five,” hyenas and warthogs included. If you visit in late summer, you might even see the Great Migration of over 2 million wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River from the neighboring Serengeti Desert.

This February, I spent 10 days visiting Kenya’s national parks and game reserves on an itinerary curated by EF Ultimate Break , a Gen Z and millennial tour company. After a week of bush glamping in sparsely vegetated and dusty parks throughout Kenya, Masai Mara was comparatively lush, and my safari Jeep was constantly stumbling upon families of elephants, giraffes, and lions.

If you’re heading to Kenya on safari soon or scrolling TikTok for future inspiration , here’s what’s worth doing at Masai Mara and how to spend three days at the reserve.

What To Do At Masai Mara

Day 1: hang out with baby elephants & meet the maasai tribe.

After a 20-plus-hour journey from Chicago, I stretched my legs at one of Nairobi’s most popular attractions. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Orphans Project houses baby elephants and rhinos who are currently unable to survive in the wild for whatever reason, and it’s just as cute as you’d expect. There was a collective “aw” as the tiniest baby black rhino stumbled out to meet the crowd, and we got introduced to all the baby elephants as they clumsily ran to the keepers for their bottles of milk.

The experience was more crowded and touristy than I expected, but I enjoyed learning the story behind each baby animal, seeing their personalities, and petting them. You’re also able to sponsor one of the baby elephants or rhinos until they’re ready to go back into the wild.

After hanging out with the animals, get into your safari Jeep to drive the five hours to Masai Mara. I stayed at PrideInn Mara Camp, which had glamping tents and cottages just steps from the park and Lake Talek, but there are plenty of accommodations around Masai Mara’s perimeter (including regular hotels like a JW Marriott Masai Mara if sleeping in a tent without air conditioning isn’t your vibe).

The best part of the PrideInn Mara Camp (and others in the area) is the presence of the Maasai tribe , which welcomed us with a traditional song and dance. There were also a number of warriors who worked in the hotel and who would walk us to and from our rooms if it was late at night.

Day 2: Take A Hot Air Balloon & A Drive

The park is huge, so soaring over the savannah to see the landscape and animals from above is an efficient and bucket list-worthy way to start off your safari experience.

We had to wake up at 4 a.m. to head over to the hot air balloon launch site, but I quickly stopped complaining about the early call time when we were in the balloon and the sun was rising over Masai Mara.

We got to take in bird's eye views of the Mara River (including a rare sighting of an adorable baby hippo that was splashing through it), check out a family of grazing giraffes from above, and get eye-level with the vultures in the trees. Afterward, we enjoyed an English-style brunch with unlimited mimosas in the middle of the bush, then headed back to the camp to nap it all off.

In the early afternoon, we headed on our second safari and stayed until twilight. After spending almost two weeks in Kenya, I realized it’s 100% worth doing two safari drives a day — one in the morning as the sun rises and one at dusk right before the predators are about to start hunting — to get the fullest picture of how the animals act in their natural habitat.

Depending on the time of day, you’ll also see different personalities from the lions. When I went in the morning, the lions weren’t the apex predators I’d anticipated. Instead, the pride was almost playful, with a young male lion with a dandelion mane nuzzling his father and the female lions, and cuddling with them in the sun. The only hint of their agility and quick reflexes were shown in how they quickly flipped from side to side and how alert they seemed at all times, with their heads suddenly popping above the grass when they’d been lazily napping in the sun just moments earlier.

Another day, as the sun went down, I saw a group of lionesses who’d been napping and were barely camouflaged in the long grass start to oh-so-casually make their move. They inched toward a grazing herd of wildebeests, their eyes locked on their next meal. I wouldn’t have experienced these different personalities if I hadn’t seen both in action.

Day 3: Go On A Morning Game Drive & Visit The Maasai Tribe

After going on a sunrise game drive, take an afternoon tour of the Maasai tribe’s village. Dressed in signature bright red robes, the warriors greeted us at the entrance of their village. They taught us some of their chants and performed a 10-minute celebratory song and dance that we were encouraged to take part in, which included mimicking the roaring of lions, shaking our shoulders, and competing to see who could jump the highest.

Then, they sectioned us off into groups to tour the family huts and learn about their pastoral lifestyle. Many of the Maasai people have gone into tourism and are employed by hotels and other hospitality businesses in the area, but they’re one of the few tribes where many members still practice their traditional way of life.

After the tour, we got to shop the tribe’s gorgeous beadwork, carved wooden products, and other souvenirs. I picked up a blue bracelet, a beaded choker, and some wooden coasters painted with safari animals to bring back home with me.

Ultimately, I came back to Chicago feeling relaxed, inspired, and fully ready to take advantage of my apartment’s air conditioning. I gained a deep appreciation for my proximity to wildlife during my bush glamping adventure (yes, even for the crickets and lizards in my tent).

Going on safari was life-changing for so many reasons. I was awestruck by seeing a 3-day-old hippo hanging out with his mom, and a pack of elephants racing across the savannah. I was surprised that the lions and giraffes seemed to barely take notice of our Jeep.

The safari also taught me a lesson in patience. Unlike in a zoo, you’re not able to control when or where you’ll see cheetahs, hippos, or prides of lions — which ends up making it so much more fulfilling when you do.

It’s not a question of if, but when, I’ll go back to Masai Mara on safari. And who knows — maybe this time I’ll spend more than a few days exploring Kenya’s most famous game reserve.

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• The Wild Cats of Kruger:…

The Wild Cats of Kruger: Kruger National Park lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other African cats

Posted by Briony Chisholm on October 10 2017 in African Wildlife Enquire Now!

Kruger National Park is home to diverse wild cats, from small genets to great big lions, and many in between. If you’re lucky, you may spot a good few wild cats on your Kruger safari, along with a variety of other animals, including the herbivores of the Big 5.

It is hard to describe the feeling of being lucky enough to watch lions hunting, a cheetah hurtling across the savannah after a fleeing springbok or a leopard lazing on a branch in a giant jackal berry tree. Velvet coats, paired with fierce teeth and intense big cat gazes make for spectacular game viewing!

In this post, you'll see what African big cats and smaller wild cats inhabit Kruger National Park and find out more about these captivating felines.

Kruger National Park Lions ( Panthera Leo )

Lions live together in prides. The leader of the pride changes, but the pride itself remains cohesive, and under the control of the females. These female lions, often related, share jobs in the pride, from hunting to raising their cubs. Each Kruger lion pride has a specific territory and vicious fights break out if another pride tries to encroach.

Mostly active at night, they can usually be found where the big herds of game – their prey – hang out. Hunting at night, lions usually rest in the shade during the day but are sometimes spotted at dawn and dusk.

Lion Hunting

Unlike the speedy cheetah, lions can’t run that fast. This is unsurprising considering that males can weigh over 200 kg, the females slightly less. Thus, their hunting habits rely more on clever planning than speed. While they do sometimes hunt alone, their ‘two-pronged’ attack is often more successful. Here, one lion – usually a male – approaches the prey from upwind, driving it toward an ambush – usually females – behind it.

If the first attack doesn’t work, lions will seldom chase their prey very far, but they will – and do – have protracted fights to the death, especially with buffalo, if their prey is grounded but not dead with the first bite.

The African bush is not for sissies.

Once dead, the male eats first, the females second, and the cubs get whatever’s left. After that, the scavengers – who’ve been waiting patiently in the wings for up to 24 hours – come in and clean up, most commonly vultures, hyenas and jackals.

White Lions 

Contrary to popular belief, these incredibly rare lions are not albino, but rather a genetic rarity. Initially only found in the Timbavati area (part of Greater Kruger National Park), a cub was seen in 2014, a new member of the Satara pride, heralding much happiness.

Recent studies done on these blue-eyed beauties have shown that contrary to initial scientific thought, white lions hunt just as successfully as their tawny brothers and sisters.

Kruger National Park Lion All-Boys in the News

Yip, you read correctly. The ‘all-boys club’ made up of six young male lions in the Gomondwane region made it into the UK’s Daily Mail  when one of their reporters spotted this crew on safari in Kruger National Park.

Thought to be made up of related males – brothers and cousins – groups like this travel through territories looking for suitable females to ‘settle down’ with, fighting any males who happen to get in their way.

Where to Find Lions in Kruger National Park

Lions are most commonly sighted in central and southern Kruger National Park, especially in the regions of Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Skukuza, and Satara.

For more about African lions see  Lions in Africa: tips for your African lion safari and facts about these African big cats  or  Lion Safari in Africa: Where are lions in Africa?

Kruger National Park Leopards ( Panthera pardus )

The next-biggest cat in Kruger National Park, with the male weighing in at over 60 kg, is the leopard. These exquisite felines are the shyest of the African big cats, preferring their own company and hanging out in the dense bush during the daylight hours, emerging only in the late afternoon to hunt for dinner.

This they usually do by stalking, pouncing, and killing with a swift bite to the neck. They then usually carry their prey – often heavier than themselves – into a tree, allowing them to snack over a couple of days away from the snarling grins of the scavengers.

An odd habit of leopards is that they often lick the fur off their prey, before eating.

In this video, a lion stalks and jumps on a leopard in Kruger National Park. A rare sighting to see these two creatures together!

Where to Find Leopards in Kruger National Park

Leopards are found, if you’re lucky, throughout Kruger National Park, preferring dense riverine forest – especially along the Sabie River – and rocky outcrops.

More about seeing leopards in  African Leopard: How to spot leopards on safari

Kruger National Park Cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus )

Lean and wily, the cheetah is built for speed and can run at speeds over 110 km/h. Weighing around 50 kg, cheetahs use their speed for hunting, catching their prey off-guard, and then running at it, at full speed. The prey – usually antelope – try to lose the cheetah by zig-zagging but, often, lose the battle as the cheetah uses his tail to stabilize himself.

The killing bit is not quite as effective as that of the lion and leopard, due to the cheetah’s small jaws and it takes up to half an hour for their prey to die. The only trouble a cheetah has is that its stamina is pretty low. It can only run full speed for about 250 m and needs to have a rest after the energy-sapping hunt. Unfortunately, during this rest, the cheetah often loses its prey to lions or scavengers - a very unfair outcome after all that effort.

Where to Find Cheetahs in Kruger National Park

Central Kruger National Park is the favourite spot for cheetah sightings and is around Lower Sabie and the Crocodile River.

The Difference between  Leopard and Cheetah?

It is not uncommon for new safari-goers to confuse leopard and cheetah, due to the similarity of the spotted golden pelts of these African big cats. These felines do, however, differ significantly.

Leopards are far more powerfully built, with muscular limbs and a bigger, more cat-like head. Cheetahs are slender and gangly, with long bodies and smaller, almost dog-like heads. The leopard’s spots are big and rosette-like, while the cheetah has small spots and a very distinct black line on either side of the nose (tear lines).

If you get close to them – something we don’t recommend! – you will find that leopards have retractable claws, like a house cat, and cheetahs don’t, more like a dog.

Most visible though, is their habitats, leopards are shy and like dense bushes and cheetahs, not-so-much, hanging out on open savannah.

Take a closer look at  Cheetah vs Leopard: What's the difference?  to make sure you can tell the difference between them.

Caracal ( Felis caracal ) 

With their distinctive tufted ears and gorgeous red-brown coats, caracals are solitary night-time hunters. These exquisite animals are seldom spotted as they are secretive and solitary. Also, in contradiction to their beauty, they can be very aggressive.

Civet ( Viverra civetta )

These wild cats remind one of a badger, due to their distinctive grey faces with black and white markings. And their markings are what make them stand out: bands of black, grey, and white, with black legs.

They, too, are shy and solitary, therefore a sighting of one is extremely special.

Serval ( Felis serval )

With their slender build and golden coat interspersed with black stripes and spots, the serval reminds one of the cheetahs, but smaller and with different markings. They’re known for their long legs in comparison to their body size. They’re the supermodels of the feline world.

Genets ( Genetta genetta and Genetta tigrina )

The smaller wild cats of Kruger – genets – come in two versions. While the Large-Spotted Genet has black spots with a rusty centre and a black-tipped tail, the Small-Spotted Genet has purely black spots and a white-tipped tail.

When You Meet a Wild Cat in Kruger National Park...

There are often stories in the news of visitors to the park (or to other parks and rehab centres) being injured by animals. This is due to not knowing how to behave when coming across a wild cat.

And that’s exactly what needs to be remembered. While they may look cute and fluffy, these animals are WILD. And you are on their turf.

Humans are not their prey, but they have an instinct to fight or flee if they feel that they are in any way in danger. Following a few basic rules both your and their safety can be assured while viewing wild cats on a safari drive:

• Quiet! While the animals have become accustomed to the sound of the vehicle, human noise will disturb them, either making them run away, or get angry. If you need to communicate at all, do so in a whisper.
• In most reserves, animals have become habituated to the vehicles used – and their shape. Do not stand up or dangle arms or legs out of the vehicle, as this will frighten the animals and may result in them retreating or attacking.
• Never try to interfere – in any way – with the animals you encounter. This includes trying to change their behaviour or position for a good photo shot and feeding them. The feeding of wild animals is prohibited for both your and the animal’s safety.

These gorgeous African big cats are incredible to see in their natural environment and, as mentioned above, are mainly active at night or late afternoon/early morning. If you have the chance, be sure to go the dawn and/or dusk drives – and night drives in the Greater Kruger National Park – to increase your chance of spotting them! Speak to one of our knowledgeable ABS travel consultants to plan your dream Kruger National Park safari!

If you liked this post, these trips cover similar ground…

• 4 Day Kruger Safari - Walking & Camping Safari
• 6 Day Kruger Park Budget Safari (Backpackers Lodge Tour)
• 7 Day Big Cats, Etosha & Desert Namibia Safari
• 6 Day Kruger Safari & Panorama Route Tour - South Africa

About the Author

Briony chisholm wordsmith & pharmacist.

Places Mentioned in this Post

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa

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I went on a budget and a luxury safari in Africa. Here's how they compare — and the one thing you really need to look for when booking.

Posted: March 14, 2024 | Last updated: March 14, 2024

• I have been on two glamping safari trips in Africa on two very different budgets.
• My all-inclusive stay was great but my cheaper glamping experience was fine, too. 
• Private game reserves are actually the most important thing to splurge on, not accommodations. 

I've been on two African safari trips . Both involved glamping but on completely different budgets.

My first more affordable trip, a lodge in South Africa with separate safari excursions, cost me about $1,100. My second, an all-inclusive lodge in Tanzania, cost me about $4,000 after a 50% off deal.

Here's how the two compare and what I think you should look for before you plan an African safari .

My affordable safari experience was at Jackalberry Ridge, where some tents cost $80 a night.

The first time I went on a safari, I went to Kruger National Park in South Africa. I didn't book a tour package, instead opting to stay at affordable lodging and book safari day trips to the park.

I stayed five nights near Kruger and one night in Johannesburg before my flight home. I spent around $1,100 for lodging, safari tours, a rental car, and food (not including flights).

After landing in Johannesburg, I rented a car ($130 for five days) to drive to my lodging in Marloth Park, a town bordering the edge of Kruger National Park.

I was staying at Jackalberry Ridge , a self-catering accommodation with no on-site restaurant, no room service, and limited housekeeping.

The one-bedroom tents at Jackalberry Ridge go for as low as $80 a night, and two-bedroom tents go for $135.

When I checked in late, there was no one at the reception desk — just an envelope with my name on it containing my keys and a map.

My main tent felt pretty spacious, with a king bed and a living-room area.

I had booked a two-bedroom unit (two tents), but my friend couldn't come at the last minute. Since I couldn't change the reservation, I still stayed in the two-bedroom unit and my friend paid her share.

The campsite came with a small pool to dip in, but it was covered as the weather was pretty cold.

Each unit had a private bathroom and kitchen in a building separate from the tents, so I needed to leave my tent to use the bathroom at night.

The bathroom was standard, with a tub, shower, and toilet.

This is glamping, so I had access to running water and a flushing toilet. I had hot water, but I found it went from scalding hot to cold in a few seconds.

I ended up taking quick showers and just washing my hair with cold water, which wasn't ideal since it was a little chilly in the morning.

It's also worth noting that Jackalberry Ridge was renovated recently, so the issue I had with hot water may have been fixed now.

I also had access to a kitchen in the same building as the bathroom.

The kitchen was well-equipped with things like pots, a microwave, and a sink, so I could cook meals or heat up leftovers.

I signed up for a couple of day safaris and did one at night.

Although I had a rental car and could've done a self-drive safari around Kruger, I didn't trust myself to spot animals while focusing on the roads.

Instead, I signed up for a couple of day safaris and one night safari. The safari tour prices often don't include the park entrance fee (about $25 per person per day), which I paid when I got to the entrance.

My three safari trips and park fees came to around $280.

I got to see zebras, giraffes, and more.

I saw a lot on the safari, including zebras, impalas, kudus, and giraffes. I saw lions and a leopard, although only from afar with binoculars. I even got a glimpse of the elusive rhinoceros.

I also spent one day taking another popular day trip in the area, the Panorama Route. This scenic road goes past Lisbon Falls and the beautiful Blyde River Canyon. The guided tour was $110.

As far as my very first safari trip goes, it was great. I got to see the Big Five , even though some of them were pretty far away.

For my next safari trip, I leveled up.

I saw a Travelzoo deal for an all-inclusive safari at Taasa Lodge , a five-star luxury safari in Tanzania.

The deal was $6,000 for two people for a whole week — the lodge is usually $12,950 for two for seven nights. It was still a splurge, but I'd be saving more than 50% on a bucket-list experience.

The package came with seven nights of lodging, two safari activities a day, three daily meals, and drinks.

Still, we spent more than the original advertised price. There are obligatory "daily government park fees" and "daily concession fees" that added about $893 per person to our bill.

We also had to take a regional flight to get to Taasa, which was more expensive than my rental car in South Africa.

To redeem the Travelzoo deal, we had to complete our booking through a specific travel agency.

We ended up opting for an all-inclusive add-on package which includes the $893 fees above, domestic airfares from Arusha to Taasa (which would already cost around $600), and our agency arranging our Tanzanian tourist visa and airport transfers. The add-on also included extra activities at the resort (more on that later).

Overall, we paid $1,715 per person on top of the $3,000 each for the lodge stay.

I hadn't anticipated paying so many extras, but it was nice to have someone take care of the logistics of getting to the resort.

My tent was luxurious and equipped with a comfortable king bed and a large living room.

When I arrived at the lodge, the staff greeted me with a glass of juice and a wet towel to refresh myself.

My tent was quite spacious. I especially liked that it had a desk and plenty of outlets I could use to charge my electronics. Our bathroom was behind our bed, and I was glad it was inside the tent this time.

We also got a butler who kept track of our schedules and made sure we had what we needed.

The bathroom felt spacious, with two sinks and a shower.

The shower's hot water was great and we had double sinks we could get ready at.

Another perk of the lodge is that we could have staff do our laundry every day, which meant we could pack less clothing.

There's a main lodge with a communal living room, dining area, and bar.

We got breakfast at the buffet in the main lodge unless we were going on a morning safari.

Most people ate dinner in the dining room, but we could've requested to have food brought to our tent.

We also passed a small pool next to the main lodge.

The pool was on the small side, but certainly had great views.

I didn't end up using it as my afternoons were filled with safari, and the mornings and evenings were chilly.

On the mornings with an early safari, we had a simple breakfast next to our Land Cruiser.

Safari breakfasts consisted of hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, doughnuts, bacon and sausage, fruits, and orange juice. Staff also made French-press coffee, which we could spike with cream liqueur.

Our Land Cruiser had a cooler of beers and sodas in the back, too.

At the private game reserve, we got pretty close to wildlife.

Taasa is located inside a private game reserve, which means staff can pretty much drive anywhere within it. This was a huge leg up from my day trips in Kruger National Park on my last safari.

Inside national parks like Kruger or Serengeti, you're only allowed to drive on designated roads for safety reasons (both for the tourists and the animals).

But in a private reserve, guides can drive offroad. Plus, the guides communicate with each other when they find something special.

We saw a bunch of animals in the private reserve and Serengeti.

We also left the reserve to spend a couple of days going into Serengeti National Park, as there were things you could only find there instead of within the private reserve.

For example, I'd planned my trip to take place during the Great Migration, and I wanted to see wildebeests crossing the Mara River.

We also went to Serengeti to find rhinoceros and hippopotamus.

Every dinner at the resort consisted of three courses: soup, an entrée, and a dessert.

The main course was usually some type of Western food, and there was always a vegetarian option.

It would've been nice to be offered more typical Tanzanian dishes, though. For me, part of the fun of traveling is learning about different countries' cuisines.

I also had access to an open bar in the main lodge. Staff could make simple cocktails, and there was lots of beer and wine. The drinks were all included with the price of the stay (except for fancy Champagnes and select wines).

One morning, we had a special breakfast on the plains.

On one day of the trip, we had a special bush breakfast. It was one of the extra activities we got with that special add-on package.

Instead of our usual safari breakfast, we had freshly prepared omelets in the wild.

We also got another special treat in the bush that morning — a toilet!

When you're offroading looking for wild animals, you can end up pretty far from a proper toilet.

On most safari days, the car stops (when guides think it's safe), and people go behind the car to do their business.

This was the only time we had this portable toilet while out on a safari. On my budget safari day trips at Kruger, we'd have to wait until we reached a rest-stop facility.

Again, we spent a lot of time watching lions.

After breakfast, we were back in safari mode.

We found a family of lions, and as we were in the private reserve, we were able to stay and watch the cubs play for quite a while.

At Kruger, when lions are spotted, traffic starts backing up on the road as all the safari cruisers stop to look, so you can't stay too long.

Here, we knew no one else would be coming.

On a different morning, our guide got a tip that another car had found a leopard sleeping.

The communication between guides in the private reserve paid off when one spotted a sleeping leopard.

When our group arrived, the leopard was napping on the tree next to his catch. Eventually, it came down, and we got a better look.

Our trip ended with a great happy hour and outdoor dinner.

Other activities that were part of our add-on package included a visit to a Maasai village in Kenya and a special happy hour and barbecue dinner.

And, for our journey home, the travel agency took care of everything, including transfers, until we boarded our international flight.

My big takeaway is that it's really worth paying to be inside a private reserve.

In my opinion, the difference between these two safari trips that's the most worth paying for is being in a private reserve.

After all, the main reason I fly to Africa is for the safari, not the glamping.

I much preferred my lodging at Taasa, mostly because of the bathroom. But if I hadn't had the 50% off deal, I'm not sure the full price would've been worth it.

Still, it was a wonderful experience, and if I had more money, I may feel differently. Even so, the budget glamping was pretty comfortable and just fine for a week.

But again, as far as the safari experience goes, the private reserve is hard to beat. Being able to go offroading and get closer to the animals is quite the experience.

And if luxurious lodges are out of the question, private reserves can also be visited more affordably. Some lodges inside private reserves, like Shindzela or Rhino River Lodge, can cost around $250 per person per night.

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Heritage of Zimbabwe

Usd 3 810 minimum 2 people.

Uncover the rich history of Zimbabwe in Motobo Hills and Hwange National Park. The Heritage Zimbabwe safari allows you to dive in the history and culture of Zimbabwe, set in African Bush Camps’ most distinctive properties.

USD 4 740 per person sharing

This 6-night Emerald Season Botswana safari with African Bush Camps is an opportunity for an unforgettable experience. Emerald season is not only birthing season for many species of wildlife, but it also attracts flock of migratory birds.

Authentic Botswana

Usd 5 400 per person sharing.

Our Authentic Botswana safari combines a stay at our Linyanti Expeditions and Khwai Lediba Signature Camp. You get the best of both worlds while being fully immersed in the beauty of the wild African bush.

USD 7 080 per person sharing

Experience 9 nights on our Luxury Okavango safari. This is an opportunity for an unforgettable experience. Explore the vast expanses of the Linyanti Marsh, the breathtaking waters of the Khwai River and end your journey on the winding waterways of the Okavango Delta.

USD 4 050 per person sharing

Discover the magic of Mana Pools National Park on a 6-night authentic African safari adventure at our Zambezi expedition and Kanga camps.

USD 4 365 per person sharing

For an authentic safari experience, Mana Pools and Bumi Hills should be at the top of your list. Experience the wonders of these iconic Zimbabwean landmarks on this 6-night journey.

You’ll get to experience 9-nights across our heartlands in Botswana , Zimbabwe and Zambia . This includes our signature camps, Linyanti and Nyamatusi camp, and one of our most popular icon camps, Thorntree River lodge.

Luxury Zambia

Usd 12 455 per person sharing.

The Luxury Zambia Safari offers an unparalleled blend of opulence and adventure. Set in the pristine wilderness of South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks, this safari experience provides exclusive lodges with breathtaking views. Guests can embark on thrilling game drives, tranquil boat cruises, and guided walking safaris led by expert guides.

USD 16 685 per person sharing

Indulge in the ultimate luxury safari experience with a trip to African Bush Camps’ Icon camps in Zambia and Botswana. Set amidst pristine and untouched wilderness areas, our camps provide an unparalleled opportunity to witness wildlife in their natural habitats up close and personal. Be mesmerized as you witness incredible animal sightings and immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Africa. Join us on an adventure that promises to be the trip of a lifetime.

USD 9 062 per person

Our learner development safari offers the unique opportunity to volunteer and serve at the local schools in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe where we are actively investing through infrastructure development, nutritional programs and learning resources to improve the quality of learning at the schools.

USD 37 312 per group of 4

Our conservation focus area aims to improve human-wildlife coexistence, by protecting wildlife and livestock while conserving the natural resources in the areas where we operate. This safari takes us on a journey through the national parks and communities surrounding our camps. It provides insight into our conservation efforts and how we are actively partnering with the community to educate, equip and support them to live in harmony with wildlife.

USD 35 131 per group of 4

Our Women Empowerment Safari is an educational, inspirational, and collaborative journey that showcases the beauty, strength, and resolve of women in Africa, at African Bush Camps, and in the communities we support. 

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I’ve found Africa’s best-value safari holiday

Malawi is half the cost of hot spots like tanzania and zambia — but there’s nothing cut-price about the wildlife, lodges and guides, our writer discovers.

C hoosing the best tree to climb is never easy, especially when your life depends on it. “This one could be good,” suggested Nelio Stewart, an experienced rhino tracker, who assesses tree trunks in the same way a safety officer might mark out emergency escape routes.

The sturdy, broad-boughed tamarind ahead of us certainly looked scalable, despite the trails of army ants and swarming bees. Smirking at me, Stewart added: “They won’t be a problem when there’s a black rhino on your tail.”

According to the team of experienced trackers in Malawi’s Majete Game Reserve, 80 per cent of scouting missions end in some form of tree scrambling. Never have I wanted more to be in the minority.

Native to the region, black rhinos became locally extinct in the 1980s due to rampant poaching. But a successful reintroduction programme started in 2003 has spawned a healthy new population, carefully monitored by a team so attuned to the animals’ behaviour they can even identify individuals by their spoors.

It’s one of several good news stories unfolding in the protected areas of Malawi, where rewilding efforts are quietly transforming the developing east African country into a respectable safari option. Despite being landlocked, sparkling beaches fringe Lake Malawi — one of the deepest lakes in the world — presenting opportunities for a beach and bush break.

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Last month’s decision to waive visas for 79 countries, including the UK, is part of the government’s ambitious plan to put tourism on a par with countries such as neighbouring Zambia and Tanzania. Malawi is lesser known than these wildlife giants, and safari holidays remain considerably cheaper at an average £3,000 for seven nights — almost half the price of an equivalent trip elsewhere.

Several days earlier, I’d flown into the business hub Blantyre in southwest Malawi via Johannesburg. (There are no direct flights from the UK, although the Malawian government is in discussion with several airlines about the possibility of intercontinental flights.) Only a 90-minute drive away, making it a popular weekend getaway for the city’s expats, Majete is emerging as one of the country’s flagship wildlife destinations due largely to the efforts of African Parks, a conservation NGO that works in partnership with governments to manage their wildlife resources.

When it signed a mandate with the Malawian government for Majete in 2003, all elephants, rhinos and large carnivores had disappeared. Not a single tourist had visited the park in three years. But the reintroduction of 17 species has transformed it over the past 21 years; according to a 2022 census there are 12,000 animals. Now elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, cheetahs and wild dogs can all be seen, and tourist numbers exceed 13,000 per year.

“The story of absolute destruction and hope is one that has impressed people over and over again,” said the park manager, John Adendorff, driving back from our early morning rhino trek, which (somewhat thankfully) had been fruitless. A blueprint for rewilding and regeneration of biodiversity, Majete’s success has inspired multiple African governments and the non-profit now manages 22 reserves in 12 countries across the continent, providing employment for more than 5,000 staff.

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A hilly landscape of 270 sq m smothered in thick bush and woodland, with extremes of rainfall and temperature, Majete has not been an easy environment or climate to work in. “We come out of Cambodia and go into the Sahara desert,” Adendorff joked. “It changes drastically.”

Although regular tourists can’t track rhino, it is possible to see the endangered animals on game drives or from hides, including a rustic overnight option at Nakamba Hide, which self-drive visitors can book directly through African Parks, although you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags (one night’s self-catering from £79pp; africanparks.org).

Staying at Thawale Lodge, the unfenced eight-tent camp managed by African Parks, set in the reserve’s core release area known as the Sanctuary, I had plenty of close wildlife encounters. I woke up to impalas and nyalas nibbling fruits from my veranda, ate a healthy lunch of salad and grilled chicken while a herd of elephants slurped at a watering hole just a few feet from my table, and cooled off in the afternoon by dipping my toes in a bio pool swimming with endemic cichlid fish. At £175pp per night full board, including game drives, this is less than half the price of a similar lodge in Kenya or Tanzania, and all profits made here are reinvested into the reserve.

At night, I watched lion shadows slink between the leadwood and ebony trees surrounding the camp and drifted off listening to distant roars. One evening those dreamy apparitions became a startling reality when two brawling male lions crashed into our sundowner at a viewpoint overlooking the Shire River. Standing on a picnic table with only an iPhone torch for defence, I battled the instinct to run and did the only other thing I could think of in that situation — I hid behind someone else (in this case, the tourism manager, Emmanuel Kandiero).

• The new beach-and-bush package that offers half-price safaris

Since their reintroduction to Majete in 2012, lion numbers have soared from seven to over 70, illustrating the challenges of managing an enclosed wildlife area. With 80,000 people living within three miles of the park boundaries at risk of losing crops and livestock to animals, fencing has been a key factor in winning the trust of communities, and crucial to Majete’s success.

It’s a similar situation in Liwonde National Park, also managed by African Parks, a six-hour drive north. Sliced by the Shire, palm-dotted floodplains and mopane woodlands provide a backdrop for reintroduced rhinos, lions and cheetahs.

When I arrived, the scene was dynamically different from the predator-free park I’d visited seven years previously, where hippos lazed in the water and impalas gaily bounded across lawns. Yet there were still fewer tourists than I’d expect to find in a prime safari destination.

“Our cats keep us busy,” joked my guide, David Owen, from Mvuu Camp, a waterside lodge with a mixture of 14 upmarket stone or canvas chalets with polished wooden interiors and bright kitenge fabrics framed by swollen baobab trees. At £219pp a night full board, with above-average meals including homemade pizzas and plates piled with fresh vegetables, it’s a relative bargain. Even more affordable is African Parks’s self-catering Chimwala Bush Camp on the other side of the park (easily accessible from a separate gate), with self-catering rates in an en suite tent from £60pp per night. Bring your own food, and two in-house chefs will store and prepare it for you.

There’s nothing cut-price about the safari experience, though. I watched a coalition of five cheetahs fade into a purple sunset, observed lions stalking antelopes, and listened to monitor lizards noisily mating like tree-hammering woodpeckers.

“You can go to the Serengeti and stay in places that make other people wealthy, but in these parks, every last cent you spend goes back into conservation,” Adendorff had said to me. “If more people knew where their money was going and how they were supporting this incredible recovery, Malawi could be one of the top destinations in Africa.”

He’s right. Finding an affordable, crowd-free safari destination is almost as hard as tracking down a black rhino. Sarah Marshall was a guest of Natural World Safaris, which has seven nights’ all-inclusive from £4,600pp, including transfers, conservation and park fees, scheduled shared game-viewing activities and flights (naturalworldsafaris.com)

Two great sand and safari trips in Malawi

Blue zebra island lodge.

Family-friendly thatched cottage stay Unesco-designated to protect its rare aquatic life, the southern section of Lake Malawi is a national park. Snorkel to find some of the deep water’s colourful cichlids from Blue Zebra Island Lodge on Nankoma Island, where thatched cottages and tents are great for families. With water so clear, it’s even possible to spot the aquarium-favourite fish from a kayak, paddling along the shallow, rocky coastline as fish eagles swoop overhead. Switch up the pace with a choice of speedboat activities, or dial everything back by relaxing in a spa in the shade of a fig tree. Details Nine nights’ full-board Safari & Swimming at Lake Malawi from £2,699pp (yellowwoodadventures.com). Fly Blantyre via Johannesburg

Hillside lodge with views Pumulani beach lodge sits on the west side of the Nankumba peninsula at the southern end of Lake Malawi against a backdrop of forest-covered hills. Ten large, air-conditioned villas climb the slopes, with views across the sparkling water. Wander down to a private beach with hammocks strung between the trees and sunloungers, or laze on a floating platform. Hike and kayak back to the lodge or head out with a picnic on a traditional wooden, hand-built dhow. Two sailing boats are also available for use by experienced hands. A west-facing bar and dining area is ideal for marvelling at Africa’s trademark crimson sunsets. Details Seven nights’ full-board Red Zebra Cichlid Safari from £2,690pp (expertafrica.com). Fly to Blantyre via Johannesburg

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