HomeAboutSafarisDestinationsContact

Home / Safaris / Tanzania's Big Cat Expedition

9 DaysPredator SpecialBig CatsPhotography Safari

Tanzania's Big Cat Expedition
Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Predator Focus

9 Days / 8 NightsDuration
Tarangire → Serengeti → NgorongoroRoute
Any DateDeparture
All InclusiveMeals & Drives

Safari Overview

Tanzania's Big Cat Expedition is a specially designed safari for wildlife photography enthusiasts and cat lovers. Over 9 incredible days, you'll focus exclusively on Tanzania's most spectacular predators — lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. Based in prime Serengeti locations, your expert guide will track big cat territories, bringing you close to lion prides, leopards draped over acacia branches, and cheetah mothers teaching their cubs to hunt.

🦁 Lions
🐆 Leopards
🏃 Cheetahs
📷 Photography Guide
🔭 Expert Tracking
🌅 Sunrise Drives

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01Day
Arrival in Arusha
Welcome & Safari Prep
+

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha. Your specialist guide will brief you on big cat behaviour and tracking techniques you will use during the expedition.

  • Airport transfer to Arusha
  • Welcome dinner and expedition briefing
  • Introduction to big cat tracking and photography
🏨
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Luxury Lodge · Arusha
View Lodge ↗
02Day
Tarangire – Leopard Country
Afternoon Game Drive
+

Drive to Tarangire National Park, where leopards haunt the enormous sausage and fig trees. Enjoy an afternoon game drive specifically focused on finding leopards and lions in the riverine woodland.

  • Drive from Arusha to Tarangire NP
  • Afternoon predator-focused game drive
  • Leopard spotting in riverside woodland
  • Lion prides resting in shade
🏨
Tarangire Treetops Lodge
Tree House Lodge · Tarangire
View Lodge ↗
03Day
Tarangire – Full Day
Cheetah on the Plains
+

A full day in Tarangire focusing on the open grassland areas where cheetah hunt. The dry season concentrates animals around the Tarangire River making predator sightings extraordinary.

  • Full day predator-focused game drive
  • Cheetah coalition sightings likely
  • Photograph predators in golden morning light
  • Sunset from river banks
🏨
Tarangire Treetops Lodge
Tree House Lodge · Tarangire
View Lodge ↗
04Day
Northern Serengeti – Mara River
Crossing Season
+

Drive to the Northern Serengeti — the most dramatic area during migration season when millions of wildebeest attempt the perilous Mara River crossing. Lions, crocodiles, and leopards all capitalise on this chaos.

  • Long game drive from Tarangire to Northern Serengeti
  • Search for river crossing activity (seasonal)
  • Massive lion prides patrol the Mara Triangle
  • Leopards in the riverine forest
🏨
Lamai Serengeti
Luxury Lodge · Northern Serengeti
View Lodge ↗
05Day
Northern Serengeti – Full Day
Lions of the Mara
+

Dedicated full day tracking the famous lion prides of the Northern Serengeti. This area is legendary among wildlife photographers for its exceptional big cat sightings. Your specialist guide knows these territories intimately.

  • Dawn-to-dusk game drive with lunch in the bush
  • Track specific named lion prides
  • Photography guidance from your expert guide
  • Optional night drive (seasonal — additional cost)
🏨
Lamai Serengeti
Luxury Lodge · Northern Serengeti
View Lodge ↗
06Day
Central Serengeti – Cheetah Plains
Speed & Grace
+

Move to the Central Serengeti's open plains, the world's best location for cheetah sightings. Seronera Valley is home to multiple cheetah families and is renowned for dramatic hunts on the open grasslands.

  • Drive from Northern to Central Serengeti
  • Afternoon game drive in Seronera Valley
  • Cheetah mothers with cubs regularly sighted
  • Leopards at Seronera River kopjes
🏨
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Central Serengeti
View Lodge ↗
07Day
Central Serengeti – Full Day
Sunrise to Sunset
+

A full day of intensive game drives in the Central Serengeti. Dawn reveals lions returning from hunts, mid-morning brings cheetah activity, and late afternoon lights the kopjes gold as leopards emerge.

  • Sunrise game drive with lions and hyenas
  • Mid-morning cheetah activity
  • Afternoon photography session at sunset kopjes
  • Optional hot air balloon safari (extra cost)
🏨
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Central Serengeti
View Lodge ↗
08Day
Ngorongoro Crater – Black Rhino Quest
The Big Five Complete
+

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater to complete the Big Five — the rare black rhino. The crater also has excellent lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and serval sightings, making it a perfect finale to the expedition.

  • Descent into Ngorongoro Crater floor
  • Search for the endangered black rhino
  • Lion pride interactions in the caldera
  • Hippo pools at Lake Magadi
🏨
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Lodge · Crater Rim
View Lodge ↗
09Day
Departure
Farewell to Tanzania
+

Final breakfast on the crater rim with sweeping views across the caldera. Drive back to Arusha for last-minute shopping before your transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.

  • Final breakfast with crater views
  • Drive to Arusha
  • Optional craft market visit
  • Airport transfer

What's Included & Excluded

✓ Included

All park entrance and conservation fees
All accommodation as per itinerary
Full board meals throughout (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
All game drives in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with roof hatch
English-speaking TANAPA-certified professional guide
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Bottled water during all game drives
All government taxes and service charges
Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
24/7 Jolita Safari support hotline

✗ Not Included

International flights to/from Tanzania
Tanzania visa fees (approx. USD 50)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Optional activities (hot air balloon safari, etc.)
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at lodges
Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
Any personal expenses

Book This Safari

Custom dates · Any group size

Request Itinerary

Quick Facts

Duration9 Days / 8 Nights
ParksTarangire · Serengeti (N+C) · Ngorongoro
MealsFull Board (B,L,D)
Group Size2–6 per vehicle
DepartureAny day, year-round
PhotographyExpert Photography Guide
FocusLions · Leopards · Cheetah