Jaguar
Brazil’s famous Pantanal wetland offers the best chance in the world of seeing jaguars, South America’s apex predator. Home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife including the world’s largest rodent, capybara, anacondas and caiman as well as a dazzling array of birdlife, you can canoe along channels, walk along trails or explore by horseback by day as well as by night. The Pantanal has gained a deserved reputation in recent years for being the most reliable place to see jaguars and catching a glimpse of one of these truly stunning cats in its native habitat is an unforgettable experience.
Our 11-day Brazil Highlights family holiday visits the Pantanal and the Iguazú Falls, plus Rio’s Sugar Loaf Mountain and famous beaches (suitable for children aged 10+).
Lion
Northern Botswana is an ideal destination for seeing Africa’s largest cat – the lion. The Moremi Game Reserve is home to a plethora of game and many prides of lions, some of which are habituated to vehicles, allowing for great views and photo opportunities. If your family loves the great outdoors and wants to experience the thrill of a mobile-camping safari then head to the Okavango Delta (home to the famous ‘Marsh Pride’) and Moremi Game Reserve in search of lions, wild dogs, leopard, buffalo and a host of other wildlife.
Our 12-day Botswana Wilderness Adventure holiday is a wildlife-focused fully serviced mobile-camping family safari holiday visiting Chobe National Park, Savuti, Kwai Concession, Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta – and you get to spend your evenings around the campfire (suitable for children aged 12+).
Leopard
Arguably the best place in Africa to see leopards is Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. During daytime game drives (or a cruise along the Zambezi River) elephants, hippos and giraffes are frequently seen in close proximity. For the fortunate few, leopards can be seen stalking prey (or even lounging around in trees) during the day, but for the best chance of seeing these beautiful felines in action join an exciting night-drive.
Beginning at the Victoria Falls, our 15-day Zambia & Malawi Family Safari looks for leopards and a host of other wildlife in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and ends by the shores of Lake Malawi (suitable for children aged 6+).
Tiger
The tiger is the world’s largest and most instantly recognisable feline – it’s impossible not to admire the beauty and perfection of this ultimate land predator, and a chance to see one in its native habitat is not to be missed. Having suffered a massive decline in range and population over the past century, tigers are now largely restricted to protected areas. It’s possible to see tigers in India and Nepal; one of the best places to see them is in Ranthambore National Park in northern India, where conservation efforts have led to a rise in tiger numbers. If you are lucky enough to encounter one, it’s an experience that you and your family will never forget.
Our Taj & Tigers and India in Style family holidays both include game drives in Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers and other wildlife (both trips are 11 days long and suitable for children aged 5+).
Cheetah
If you watched the BBC2 series about Maya the jaguar cub, then you will no doubt also have been entranced by the antics of her fellow feline inmate, Willow the cheetah. Watching the bond grow between zookeeper Giles Clark and this youngster was very moving – and, if you are a cat owner, no doubt you’ll have been struck by how much her play and behaviour echoed the actions of your own pet cat. The fastest animal on Earth, watching a cheetah hunt down its prey on the African savannah is an unforgettable experience. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in the world to see cheetahs – we offer two family safari holidays in Tanzania which include a visit to this, arguably Africa’s most famous wildlife park.
Explore all our Family Wildlife holidays or contact us for more inspiration.
