East Africa’s Big Cat Safari.
East Africa’s Big Cat Safari, East Africa is the top world destination for big cat observation safaris. This part of the world offers an unforgettable wildlife experience, particularly for those who want to witness the raw power of the region’s big cats. East Africa’s diverse habitats offer numerous opportunities to observe lions, leopards and cheetahs. Each park offers its own unique landscape, wildlife population, and charm, making it easier than ever to plan the ultimate safari to see East Africa’s big cats in action. Below is a detailed article about the top destinations for seeing big cats in East Africa.
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park is located in the eastern part of Tanzania and it’s the largest park in Tanzania. The park has a size of 14,763km2. The park was established in 1930 as a game reserve and the propose of its conversion to a national park was initiated by Major Richard Hingdston which was implemented in 1940. Although its well known for the massive migration of the wildebeest, the park is also famous for big cat sightings. Its vast open grasslands and diverse habitats make it heaven for lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Serengeti has massive prides, especially in the south and center like Seronera. The lions are very social hence living in groups further to female lions do the hunting. The male lion’s favourite activity is sleeping and lounging in the open savanna. Leopards are less seen but are regularly spotted in the north and west parts of Serengeti, particularly around kopjes and riverine terrain. Unlike the lions, leopards are shy hence making it had to see them. Open plains of Serengeti are ideal for cheetahs, and they can often be spotted racing after prey.
Best time to do big cats safari in Serengeti.
The best time to do big cats safari in Serengeti national park is during the dry season that is in the months of June to October. Since during this time the animals concentrate around the water sources and the vegetation is dry making it easy to see the big cats in their natural habitats however Serengeti is open all year round.
Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the southwestern part of Kenya near the border of Tanzania with the size of 1,510km2. The park extends into Tanzania and its part of the larger Mara Serengeti. The reserve is known for having a big number of the big cats such as leopards, lions and cheetahs which play an important role in the park is ecosystem. The park is the best place to see lions hunting and playing in their wild habitats. When it comes to leopards they are not often see since she they are shy in nature, but you still see them in the trees resting in the Mara Triangle with its rocky outcrops. The cheetahs are often seen in the grasslands chasing after the prey show casing there hunting techniques and speed.
Best time to do a big cats safari in Masai Mara
The best time to do big cats safari in Masai Mara is during the dry season that is in the months of June to October. Since during this time the concentrate animals around the water sources and the vegetation is dry making it easy to see the big cats in their nature habitats however Masai Mara is open all year round.
Amboseli National Park in Kenya
The park is found in the southern region of Kenya near the border of Tanzania below Mount Kilimanjaro with the size of 392km2. The park offers a stunning combination of scenery and big cats’ observations. The lions are easily seen near waterholes like Amboseli swamp. They are well known for always living in the open parts of the park. The leopards in Amboseli are hard to spot since they are found of staying in the riverine areas and denser woodlands. Amboseli is the best place to see Cheetahs hunting for their prey in the open plains of the park.
Best time to do a big cats safari in Amboseli National Park.
The best time to do big cats safari in Amboseli national park is during the dry season that is in the months of June to October. Since during this time the concentrate around the water sources and the vegetation is dry making it easy to see the big cats in their nature habitats however Amboseli National Park is open all year round.
Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
The crater is a UNESCO world Heritage site found in the northern part of Tanzania, it was formed around 2.5 million years ago through a volcanic eruption. It has a surface area of 264 square kilometers, the caldera is around 16 to 19 kilometers broad and caldera floor is 400–610 meters (1,312-2,000 feet) above the rim. It’s often referred to as garden of Eden. The crater boasts of its large population of lions. You will often see the lions hunting and sunbathing in the grasslands, these lions are used to cars hence they are not shy. Leopards are not that commonly seen in the crater, but you can have a glimpse of them on the rim of the crater. The cheetahs are rarely since in the crater however one can see them in the open plains.
Best time to do a big cats safari in Ngorongoro Crater
The best time to do in Ngorongoro crater is during the dry season that is from June to October. Because there is less vegetation during this time, it is easier to see big cats while they are hunting, making it the perfect time of year to spot them. The migration of wildebeest in the neighboring Serengeti also occurs during the dry season, giving predators a plentiful supply of food, increasing the likelihood of coming into them in Ngorongoro however the park is open all year round.
Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda
The park is found in the western part of Uganda aside the equator within the Albertine Rift Valley and it covers an area of 1978km2. The park only has Lions and Leopards. It has a large number of lions and they are famous for their tree climbing ability in Ishasha sector of the park and a thriving population of lions. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, leopards are not commonly seen but can usually seen in the deep forests, along riverbanks, or close to the Mweya Peninsula.
Best time to do a big cats Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The best time to do a big cats safari in Queen Elizabeth is in the dry seasons in the months of June through September and January through February. With less rainfall, clearer vegetation, and more animals visible on the open savannah, this time of year provides the best circumstances for wildlife viewing however Queen Elizabeth National Park is open all year round.
Tsavo National Park in Kenya
The park is found in the southeastern part of Kenya and it’s the largest park in country with a size of 13747km2 divided into sectors that is the Tsavo East and Tsavo. The park has a big number of lions referred to as the Man eaters of Tsavo which, in the early 1900s, garnered media attention for their targeting of railroad workers. You find them near water sources in the park. Leopards inhabit the more rugged and wooded areas of Tsavo, but they are hard to find. Cheetahs, which are found in relatively large numbers in the park, are typically spotted hunting on the open plains, particularly during the dry season.
Best time to do a safari in Tsavo National Park.
The best time to do a big cats safari is in the dry season that is from June to October and January to February, including Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Since most animals gather near the water sources during this time, making it easy to see them however Tsavo National Park is open all year round.
Meru National Park in Kenya
The park is found in the Eastern part of Kenya with a size of 870km2 However the park is less famous, which offers a more isolated and private safari experience. The park is also the site of the reintroduction of Born Free’s renowned lioness Elsa back into the wild. Meru’s lion prides are frequently seen in the savanna and riverine ecosystems of the park, and they are generally in good health. Although they are timid, leopards can be seen in the park’s thick undergrowth, especially along the rivers and in the wooded parts.
Best time to do a big cats safari in Meru National Park in Kenya
The best time to do a big cats safari in Meru National Park is in the dry season, which runs from June to October. Because animals gather around water sources, this time of year provides the best conditions for wildlife viewing. The greatest time of year to see big cats like lions and leopards however Meru is open all year round.