African Big Cats ©

The first big cat we found was a female in Chobe National Park. 

What a beautiful, clean feline!

The next big cat was also in Chobe-- a male out looking for a female--and we were pleased for that!

In Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, we found this mother leopard up in the tree!  Oh, my goodness, were we excited!

She looks so harmless--really?

On the other side of the road in a second tree we found another leopard--this is the daughter of the first one we saw...

               So beefy and strong but sleepy!

And so muscular.....

All of a sudden, she got up and walked a bit, circled around, and then sat down again...

This was a WOW!

This guy was in the Ngorongoro Crater.  As we were driving along in our Land Rover, three large males in the distance were walking slowly toward us.  Sure got our adrenaline going!

Once this guy got to us- he just passed by, circled himself around, yawned and laid down.   Kitty, Kitty--is he really King of the Jungle?

You looking at me?

 This female lion was asleep as we approached.  When she awoke we saw that she had been injured.  

Ms. Lioness must have gotten into trouble overnight.  The guide suggested that she had a run-in with a warthog. The flies were horrendous around her wound--not a pretty sight.  But she remained a strong and beautiful animal.

The cheetahs were just sitting there, paying no attention to us or the other Land Rovers that were around, and we just kept snapping pictures. 

What a beautiful sleek animal!

As we were snapping pictures, we noticed that the cheetahs' body language had changed and their eyes were fixed on something.

All of sudden the hair on the back of the cat's neck was standing up, and so were the cheetahs!

And right before our eyes both of the cheetahs were off like lightning!

We kept snapping pictures but unfortunately this was the only action picture that was worthy of sharing.

These little guys were spotted, yes, even hidden in the grass, as we were entering the Serengeti.  We  drove off road for a better look.  As you can see from the positioning of our Land Rover we did really get close and not only for these pictures but for many of the pictures taken throughout our African adventure!

Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, in Tanzania, are well known for their tree-climbing lions but it is rare to see--so this was an unexpected bonus! 

Some people believe that lions climb the trees in Manyara and Tarangire to avoid tsetse flies and the dense undergrowth and remain in the cool shade.  The lions also may climb the trees to gain a hunting advantage.

Just amazing!

(Copyright 2014)