The leopard is strongest climber among carnivores. And they spend mostly their days inactive, draped over tree branches. So, to see them, set your sights to treetops. You are further advised to take your game drives very silently and watch out at rivers and water holes. The leopard is a stalking predator and lies ready to pounce at such places where prey would seek food and water. Some lucky people also come across leopards basking on rocks early in mornings.

The cheetah is smallest of big cats of East Africa. It can reach up to 1.4 m in length; males can weigh up to 55 kg and females 40kg. For inexperienced, it is difficult to tell apart from a leopard. But you can distinguish it by long teardrop-shaped lines on each side of nose, from corner of eyes to mouth. It also has protruding and streamlined neck and thin legs. This animal is specially adapted for speed and it is indeed world's fastest mammal.

From a resting position, cheetah can reach a speed of 80 km/h in less than 3 seconds. It can run a stable speed of 105km/h, compared to a man's 37km/h. But take heart, it is not a man-eater. The cheetah lacks stamina to be more than a short distance runner. It is not a very social species and lives either singly or in small groups. Females are ready to procreate from about age of 2 years and after a gestation period of about 90 days give birth to up to 6 cubs. Hunting by day only, this solitary hunter relies on its famed speed and keen eyesight. It technique is to stalk stealthily and then take a short killer dash when prey is within 30 m.

The cheetah is mainly found in grasslands, woodland savannas and semi deserts. It survives best in vast ranges where prey is plenty. This cat has never enjoyed wide geographical distribution or high densities. And numbers have drastically fallen over last few decades. Today not more than 12,000 remain worldwide, mostly in eastern and southern Africa. In East Africa, only areas where you can easily spot cheetahs are Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. But cat is also present, though in fewer numbers, in Tsavo in Kenya, Mkomazi in Tanzania and Queen Elizabeth in Uganda.

Scientists have classified cheetah as an endangered species and think that it faces possible extinction. Only one species -jubatus remains today. The lack of genetic diversity, possibly caused by inbreeding, is yet another handicap in ensuring long-term survival of this cat. In its daily life, cheetah faces competition from other carnivores such as lions and hyenas. In some areas, Maasai Mara of Kenya for example, instances of lions killing cheetah cubs are very common; hyenas too eat them. The lion kills cubs only to destroy and never eats them -an extremely disgraceful show for an animal that would be regarded as king.

Cheetahs are active only by day. In East Africa's game sanctuaries, tourists interrupt critical activities like feeding and suckling of young. There are incidences of mothers abandoning their cubs under pressure of human curiosity. Considering challenges facing species, conservation options are yet limited by fact that cheetahs do so poorly in captivity and almost never breed unless free. Spare a thought today for cheetah, whose future is so uncertain. If you want to do more, talk to Cheetah Conservation Fund (www.cheetah.org). And hope that such glorious days as when it was honored as a cat-goddess in ancient Egypt will yet come again.

East Africa is a year round safari destination. The rains come around April- May and November-December. This does not however, much affect travelers' ability to get around. In general best time to go on safari to see big cats is over drier months when grass is short and sighting animals is so much easier. But in areas such as Maasai Mara, animals are so plentiful that you are going to see lots of them regardless of season. The peak tourist season falls around January to February and July to August. April to June is low season and prices for accommodation in lodges can be as much as 40% lower than in high season.

Accommodation on safari varies from basic camping to luxury lodges and tented camps. Out there in bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that there is a variety of East African safari lodges:-

- Kenya Hotel & Lodges

- Tanzania Hotels & Lodges

having all trimmings of 5 star luxury. But if you want to rough it out, you will find campsites in almost all game reserves and national parks. It is generally recommended to take an escorted safari package:-

- Kenya Safaris

- Tanzania Safaris

that includes transport, park fees and accommodation. The reason for this is that tour guides are usually well versed about animals, where to find them and how to get there and have other such useful local knowledge. But if you have a lot of time and need more freedom as you get around, then taking a rental car is an option.

On safari, wear light cottons and linen. Warmer clothing is needed for evenings and for your early morning game drive. Some rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December. You should bring along a decent pair of sunglasses. The glare you experience in bright tropical light is a new and uncomfortable experience for most. It is also a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars. They are very useful for spotting animals and will earn you envy of your less knowledgeable traveling companions.

Copyright © Africa Point

The Ruaha is located 128 km west of central Tanzania town of Iringa. It was previously inaccessible, but there is now year round road access. From Dar, road travel is a backbreaking 10 hours while a charter flight takes 1 ½ hours. The best time for a safari is over dry season- May to December. Then, Ruaha River is magnetic to animals and right at banks, drama of their daily life is on display- feeding, fighting, courting and mating. The accommodation is currently limited, but there is a luxury lodge, and a few self-catering chalets and campsites.

Selous Game Reserve is star of southern safari circuit. The reserve is named after intrepid Fredrick Courtney Selous, a celebrated Victoria era explorer and naturalist. He met his end here in a sideshow of First World War. The Great War had spilled over from Europe as Germans then ruled parts of today's Tanzania. Located 500 km to southwest of Dar, reserve occupies a staggering 55,000 sq km - larger than Switzerland- and is largest of its kind in Africa.

The Selous was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to significance of both its flora and fauna. This immense wilderness has a diversity of habitats including savanna woodlands, swamps, open grasslands and forests. Over 2,100 species of tress and plants have been recorded. The mighty Rufiji River is lifeblood of reserve and its numerous tributaries and oxbow lakes are ideal for boat safaris. The wildlife to see here includes buffalo, hippo, black rhino, lion and wild dog. Elephants in particular are numerous and are estimated to number over 60,000.

Other inhabitants of Selous are bush back, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, eland, giraffe, baboon, zebra, and greater kudu. Birders will also find a trip to Selous worthwhile - over 420 species are on record. In very large game sanctuaries of south - Ruaha and Selous in particular, game is scattered and a slow pace is advised, with at least 3-4 days in each. Photographic safaris can be very rewarding here. Most visitors take time to visit to Stiegler's Gorge, which also happens to be a spot favoured by leopards.

From Dar, you arrive after a 1-½ hour charter flight or by traveling for 7 hours by road. Travel by road is not advised, except for most adventurous souls. Selous is near coast and is just a few hundred feet above sea level. The climate is hot and humid, particularly between October and March. Part of reserve is closed in wet season between March and May. The best time to visit is over dry season period of June to October. Then on safari you can walk, boat and ride a 4WD vehicle. Accommodation is limited to just a few luxury tented and no-frills camps.

The typical southern safari will usually combine Mikumi, Ruaha and Selous. After safari, a stay in Zanzibar rounds off an unbeatable holiday experience. It is generally recommended you take an escorted southern Tanzania safari package that includes transport, guide, park fees and accommodation. Particularly in large sanctuaries of southern circuit, tour guides bring valuable useful local knowledge - where to find animals, and how to get where you are going.

On safari, avoid bright colours as this may get you in trouble with wild animals. If you are wise you will pack brown, beige and khaki clothing. It rarely gets really cold on southern circuit and short sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are adequate. For ladies, short sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts are ideal. But carry a jacket or sweater for possible chills in evening and early mornings. Sunglasses will shield you from at times harsh tropical glare; and a hat can save you from sunstroke. Bring along a sensible pair of shoes that will allow you to walk comfortably in bush. Binoculars will come in very handy for spotting animals.

Copyright © Africa Point