Big Cats Safari Photography Holidays
It’s undeniable that the interest for many people in wildlife comes from iconic predators, particularly big cats. At Wildlife Worldwide, we run trips all over the globe where you can see every single wild big cat species nature has to offer. Below, we've put together the best trips to not only see these majestic apex predators in their natural habitat, but to photograph them as well.
Nagarhole Photo Safari
For Bengal tigers, our pick is Nagarhole National Park in Southern India. The verdant and lush park lies in the Karnataka State just 94 kilometres from the city Mysuru. About 1,000 elephants inhabit the park in addition to over 200 birds including crested serpent eagle, oriental honey buzzard, Malabar pied hornbill and oriental paradise flycatcher to name but a few, and of course great chances of tiger and Indian leopard.
On this spectacular trip led by Bret Charman, we stay in the characterful Kabini River Lodge, enjoying a 7-night stay with up to 14 game drives giving you plenty of chances to see our first big cat of this blog, the Bengal tiger.
Searching for Snow Leopards
Another big cat found in India is in the far north, close to the Pakistani border. The snow leopard is perhaps one of the most elusive big cats in the world, but by far the best place to see them is the Ulley Valley in Northern India, with a population of approximately 300–400 cats in the area, this place is truly a sight to behold.
Staying at the simple but picturesque Snow Leopard Lodge for ten nights, you get the best chances to not only track snow leopards, but photograph these incredibly rare and wonderful wild cats. With leader Nick Garbutt’s help, you can hopefully come away with some great images to remember this unique and dramatic landscape.
Brazil's Big Five Photo Safari
For jaguars, we head to the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands. This vast wetland in the south of Brazil is roughly the size of the UK and is the largest wetland in the world. It's home to all sorts of brilliant wildlife wonders including capybara, caiman, giant river otters, hyacinth macaw and toucans. But the main draw, for most, is the impressive jaguar population. This single area holds the most jaguars than anywhere else in the world. Not only that, but they're the biggest, with some males growing up to be over 100 kilogrammes in weight, that’s almost the same weight as a fully grown female lioness!
Wildlife photographer Ben Sutcliffe has a big passion for this place, which is why he's delighted to be leading these trips. If you want to see what he thinks are the most impressive big cats, do join him!
Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter
A quest to see the fifth-largest cat in the world is next on our list. Chilean Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, scrubland, glaciers, it’s got it all. Not only is it a place of immense beauty, but it's also home to puma.
On this trip with Nick Garbutt, we visit in the Chilean winter in the hopes of capturing these stunning big cats in the snow. In a ranch bordering the infamous Torres del Paine National Park, we're able to get just metres away from wild pumas as they go about their daily tasks. Expert local guides who've worked with the pumas for years are on hand to ensure that we approach safely and that the pumas are relaxed in our company.
Leopard & Sloth Bear Photo Safari
This photo safari in Sri Lanka led by Sean Weekly provides a great opportunity to seek out habituated leopards. This safari is based at Kumana National Park, which is home to a large population of habituated leopards and sloth bears, plus numerous Asian elephants and other wildlife, yet receives only a handful of visitors each day. The park is also a habitat for the jungle cat, known for its diurnal hunting patterns.
Under Sean Weekly’s expert guidance, we make the most of the gorgeous dry season light and sightings that we come across. Jungle cats, also known as swamp cats, are often spotted during the day, showcasing their unique hunting behaviours.
Masai Mara Photo Safari
There are many places in Southern Africa that are home to lions, perhaps the most iconic of the big cat family, and the second-largest cat, but none quite offer the quality and photography opportunities as Kenya’s Masai Mara. Picture the scene; long savannah grasses, big imposing clouds typical of African plains, and the largest male lion with the thickest mane you've ever seen is resting under a nearby acacia tree whilst lionesses are wrestling with cubs trying to keep them from disappearing through the grass. This is just a snippet of what you could experience on our Masai Mara photo safari. Another, trip led by Bret Charman, you won't only be able to experience Kenya, but you can learn everything you need to come home with a portfolio to be proud of.
Wonders of Namibia: A Photographic Safari
Although there are many great places to see a cheetah, none really offer the variety of vistas as Namibia. From dunes, to mountains, valleys and salt pans, Namibia’s landscapes are second to none. Etosha National Park and the conservancies surrounding it offer great opportunities to see and photograph the fastest land mammal in the world. On our Wonders of Namibia: A Photographic Safari trip led by Emma Healey, you have the chance to visit this wonderful area of Namibia and maybe even see this fascinating big cat on a game drive.
Iberian Lynx & Raptor Photography
This is another tour with photographic guidance from Sean, which is based in Spain, where you have the chance to build up quite the impressive portfolio. Once the rarest species of big cat on the planet, the Iberian lynx cat is the star of the trip and can be seen with patience. Now there are over 1,000 in the wild and are constantly expanding their range. The purpose-built hides allow us the opportunity to observe and photograph the lynx as they go about their business undisturbed. Notoriously shy, it's essential to put in the hours and be patient as we wait for these elusive felids with to show themselves and get a glimpse of their tufted ears.
South Luangwa Photo Safari
Thought by many to be the best place in the entirety of Africa to see leopard, South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is our final pick in our big cat experiences list. Often found draped over branches, or walking across on the many tracks of the park, these big cats are a special sight to behold; our expert photography leaders are on hand to ensure you get the best results possible in those precious moments with this spotted big cat. Based at the brilliant Flatdogs Camp just outside the main park gate, we're perfectly situated to make the most of our seven nights in this special place.
In addition to these trips, we also have a range of holidays that go in search of other, more elusive cat species - including black-footed cat, African wild cat, leopard cat, marbled cat, fishing cat, Sunda clouded leopard, flat-headed cat and Asiatic lion. Whilst these trips don't have a dedicated photography tour leader, with luck, there may be opportunities for photography.
View all our big cat tours, our photography trips, or use our search to browse all our wildlife holidays. Contact our expert team to find out more.
