Published 28th Jun. 2021
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After a once in a lifetime holiday? Nothing beats spotting a big cat. Yes, yes, we all love a lumbering elephant or a cute orang-utan, but for the ultimate in wildlife watching it has to be one of the magnificent moggies that prowl around the wilder parts of almost every continent on Earth. Here are our favourite big cat safaris to see these, the ultimate predators, in all their glory.
Top Tigers
India is by far the best place to see tigers, although even here they are seriously endangered. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is a particularly good place for sightings, with stretches of savannah plains, 1,300 square miles of lush forest and countless species of wildlife (read: prey for tigers), this is the area that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book.
Lion around
Duba Plains Camp in Botswana is one of the most remote camps in the Okavango Delta, and just happens to be one of the best places in Africa to see lions. Rather unhelpfully, these big beasts normally hunt by night, but for some reason seem to hunt buffalo (their key prey) a lot by day at Duba.
Jaguar spotting
Jaguars are among the world's most elusive big cats, but in the glorious wetland region of the Pantanal in Brazil we have unearthed (not literally, he lives above ground) a jaguar specialist who all but guarantees sightings.
Coyote Ugly Scenes
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase of puma sightings in Yosemite National Park in the USA. Sightings in the park are often of these elegant predators hunting coyotes. Road Runner will be pleased.
Spot the leopard
The South Luangwa Valley in Zambia is home to an impressive population of leopards, as the terrain and large amount of small game makes the park the perfect habitat - get up close to them on game drives or even on walks.
For more information on bespoke holidays to see big cats, contact Original Travel.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Searching for the best safaris in India? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re keen to track tigers in Madhya Pradesh, admire Asiatic lions in Gujarat or photograph forest eagle owls in Kerala, your India holiday awaits. While Bengal tigers steal the limelight in Bandhavgarh National Park, don’t forget about the shaggy sloth bears (though they’re not as cuddly as they look). Feeling up for the adventure?
15th September 2025 - India Safari & Wildlife
With their sleek, tangerine-tinged coats, piercing eyes and commanding presence, nothing beats the thrill of seeing a tiger in the wild. And where better than in India, home to the largest population on Earth? But when it comes to the best time to see tigers in India, it all depends on what you want from your trip. Whether you’d rather vivid green landscapes or crowd-free safaris, we’ve got the insider intel on when to see India’s famous big cats.
23rd June 2025 - India Safari & Wildlife
Channelling your inner cowboy and heading on a horse safari in Botswana is one of the ultimate safari experiences. With a variety of stunning landscapes available for exploration, it’s an incredible way of getting up close and personal with game in a way that just isn't possible in a traditional 4x4. You won't just be on a safari, you'll be in it. With the contrasting scenes of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Thamalakane River and Okavango Delta in the nation’s arsenal, it's not hard to understand why Botswana horse safaris remain such a popular choice.
9th June 2025 - Botswana Safari & Wildlife
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