10 Top Spots for Seeing Big Cats in South Africa

South Africa is one of the most popular travel destinations if you want to see big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

The country has different parks and reserves that are home to some of these cats. In this article, we will provide you with the top 10 spots to go for the best chance of sighting these big cats while in South Africa.

Table of Contents

10 Top Spots for Seeing Big Cats in South Africa

1. Kruger National Park

Taking the first spot is Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. This park is a haven for big cats, especially lions.

It feels like they are at every turn when you are in Kruger National Park. The best places to see more lions and cheetahs at Kruger are the south and central sections, while leopards are mostly found in the Sabie Sand River basin.

Adjacent to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve is renowned for its leopard sightings. The guides at this reserve are skilled at finding these cats, so you can get a close encounter.

2. Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is situated near Kruger National Park in South Africa.

This location is renowned for its leopard sightings as well as other big cats like lions. The best part? You can enjoy night drives here.

3. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The second spot goes to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is famous for its black-maned lions. These lions are larger than other lions you find elsewhere.

This park is also known for leopards and cheetahs. They can be found around the Dankbaar Windmill and Nossob areas, as well as the Auob riverbed.

4. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. This park is so big that it houses the big five game animals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo.

Over 120 lions can be found throughout the park. You will get a visitors map at the gate, and between points six and seven you will find the Masinda Pride since they are often seen hanging around the regular buffalo herds from Masinda Lodge to the Black iMfolozi Bridge.

Just so you know, the first visitor camp located in the northern (Hluhluwe) section of the park was built in 1934.

5. Phinda Private Game Reserve

Phinda Private Game Reserve is a large reserve that leads to cheetah conservation. They also have other big cats like lions and leopards.

This wonderful place offers a forest lodging option that allows visitors to stay in the forest and get a good view at night.

6. Addo Elephant National Park

The Addo Elephant National Park is considered the third largest after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Addo Park features diverse wildlife that includes elephants, lions, black rhinoceros, and spotted hyenas. The park is situated close to Gqeberha in South Africa.

7. Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve might not be as popular as the parks and reserves mentioned earlier, but it is a great choice for wildlife sightings.

This Reserve is situated on the border with Botswana, close to the Kalahari Desert. It is the fifth-largest game reserve in South Africa.

The reserve is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. Since it is not popular, the lack of crowds means you can enjoy a more private wildlife experience.

8. Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park is home to the Big 5. It is located near Johannesburg and is a convenient option for those short on time.

The park is the fourth largest in South Africa. It retains most of the history of the locals and their ancestors.

9. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona is home to the only free-roaming white lions in South Africa. This wildlife reserve is one of the largest privately owned nature reserves in South Africa.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is also home to the Big 5, so you also get to see leopards and others.

10. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is another privately owned reserve. It is located near Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Kwandwe is home to the Big Five (black & white rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo, and leopard).

Final Words

That wraps up the top 10 spots for seeing big cats in South Africa. In this article, we have provided a list of spots to see these animals in their natural habitat in South Africa.

South Africa is popular for its large population of big cats. This makes it the best place to spot these cats close up.

What do you think about these spots? Have you been to any of these parks before? Let us know in the comments.

FAQs

What is the best time of year to see big cats in South Africa?

The best time to see big cats in South Africa is during the dry winter months. This is usually between May and September.

Are night drives available in these parks?

Yes, some reserves, like Sabi Sand Game Reserve, offer night drives, providing a unique opportunity to see nocturnal big cats.

Is it safe to visit these parks?

Yes, it is safe to visit these parks. The management at these places has security measures in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Where can I see cheetahs in South Africa?

Almost all the places mentioned in this article are home to cheetahs, but they are more populated in some places like Sand Game Reserve.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.