Paws in The Wild Safari
If you love Big Cats this Safari is for You
East Africa is home to a diverse range of wild cat species, including both big and small.
These cats inhabit various ecosystems, their natural environments varying from extensive savannah lands and forests to arid regions. But lions will always be ' King of the Jungle,' or more accurately 'Kings of the Wild'.
East Africa's range of wild cats include:
The African Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita)
The African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus)
Cheetah the fastest cat in the world (Acinonyx jubatus)
The long-eared Caracal (Caracal)
The slim smaller Serval (Leptailurus serval)
Africa's Wildcat somewhat like a striped domestic cat (Felis Lybica)
The Black-Footed Cat (Felis Nigripes)
The African Golden Cat (Caracal Aurata)
Sand Cat (Felis Margarita)
OUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY - Tailored to suit you
DAY 1: Nairobi
- On Landing in Nairobi, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport your Driver and Safari Guide will greet you.
- Dinner & overnight at Hemingways Hotel (or an equivalent property) and enjoy a good night’s sleep in comfort.
Accommodation - Hemingways Hotel Half Board
DAY 2: Nairobi & Masai Mara National Reserve
- After Breakfast your Safari Guide will give you a briefing at the hotel before departing in your exclusive 4x4 vehicle for the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve.
- Enjoy a game drive once in the Reserve en route to the your Permanent Luxury Tented Camp.
- Settle into your room, take in the view and join your guide for lunch in camp.
- The afternoon game drive starts approximately 15:00hrs when it is cooler. The Game Drive's finale is Sundowners at a tranquil spot in the bush.
- Dinner in camp, enjoy the camp fire with refreshments where your Safari Guide will brief you about your safari, answers any questions you have and undoubtedly share some exciting safari stories with you.
Accommodation – Elewana Sand River Masai Mara or Elephant Pepper at Mara North Conservancy - Full Board
DAY 3: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Early morning breakfast in camp before your exhilarating Morning Game Drive.
- After lunch relax in camp.
- Late afternoon is a game drive and Sundowners in a tranquil spot in the bush.
- Dinner in camp and enjoy the camp fire before retiring for the night.
Accommodation – Elewana Sand River Masai Mara or Elephant Pepper at Mara North Conservancy - Full Board
DAY 4: Leave Masai Mara for Nairobi National Park
- Breakfast at camp.
- Game drive exiting the reserve, en route to Nairobi National Park.
- Lunch at your Safari lodge in Nairobi National Park.
- Relax during the afternoon and explore your immediate surroundings.
- Sundowners and Dinner in camp.
Accommodation – (The Emakoko Boutique Safari Lodge or Ololo Safari Lodge) - Full Board
DAY 5: Leave Nairobi National Park for Laikipia Wilderness
- Breakfast before leaving.
- Game drive exiting the park, en route to Nairobi Wilson Airport.
- Your domestic flight is 2 hour to Laikipia Wilderness’s closest airstrip.
- On landing you will be transferred to yourLuxury Tented Camp.
- Lunch and relaxation prior to your Afternoon Game Drive.
- Sundowners and dinner at the Camp.
Accommodation – Laikipia Wilderness Camp - Full Board
DAY 6: Laikipia Wilderness
- Early breakfast followed by a morning game drive to look for the Black Leopardess.
- Lunch and relax back at the camp.
- Afternoon game drive and bush walk, followed by Sundowners.
- Night Game Drive and then back to camp by 8pm. We sit and have a drink by the fire before dinner starts at a communal table.
Accommodation – Laikipia Wilderness Camp - Full Board
DAY 7: Leave Laikipia Wilderness for Nairobi
- After breakfast enjoy a game drive en route to the airstrip.
- Fly to Nairobi where a Day Room can be arranged so you can relax before your International flight.
- A Private Taxi will be arranged to transfer you to Kenyatta International Airport for either your International flight home or a Domestic connection for your Kenya Coast Extension.
WILD CATS OF EAST AFRICA
African Lion
Status: Growing venerability extensively due to the growing lack of extensive habitat. Yet they are iconic predators of the savannah and are largely found in game-rich areas:
African Leopard
Status: Vulnerable
Leopards are highly adaptable and can be found in forests, savannahs, and mountainous regions. They are elusive and solitary hunters.
Cheetah
Status: Very Vulnerable
Known for their incredible speed, cheetahs are found in open grasslands and savannah.
OTHER FAMED, SMALLER CATS:
Caracal
Status: Vulnerable
Also known as the 'rooikat' or 'red cat', the caracal is a medium-sized cat with beautiful, long black ear tufts. They inhabit savannahs and dry woodlands.
Civet Cats
Status: They are adaptable to new surroundings
Bulky in size they have a broadly cat-like general appearance, though the muzzle is extended and often pointed, rather like that of a, mongoose (but there the resemblance ends).
Serval Cat (& a rare melanistic variety)
Status: Relatively A slender, spotted cat with long legs, the serval is found in wetlands and grasslands. It is an excellent hunter of small prey.
African Wildcat
The African wildcat is thought to be the ancestor of domestic cats. It has a reddish coat, black ear tufts, and a ringed tail.
Black-Footed Cat
One of the smallest wild cats in the world, the black-footed cat is rare and primarily found in southern Africa but has been reported in parts of East Africa
African Golden Cat
This elusive cat is endemic to Africa and primarily inhabits forested areas. It is rarely seen in East Africa.
Sand Cat
Found in arid regions, the sand cat is adapted to desert life. It is more common in northern Africa but may occur in some East African deserts.
Many of these Cats face serious threats due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Conservation efforts in East Africa, include expanding protected areas that play a crucial role in preserving these species.
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