Leopards are found in almost every national park in Tanzania, but they are shy, solitary and mostly active at night. Finding one takes patience, a good guide and a little luck. The central Serengeti gives you the best chance.
Leopard facts
- Leopards live alone, except mothers with cubs.
- They are strong climbers and drag prey into trees, away from lions and hyenas.
- Their spots, called rosettes, provide camouflage in trees and long grass.
- They hunt mainly at night, from ambush.
- They eat a very wide range of prey, from insects to antelope.
Where to see them
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Seronera, central Serengeti | Leopards rest in sausage trees and acacias along the rivers. The best area in Tanzania. |
| Tarangire | In the large trees along the river |
| Ngorongoro Crater rim and forest | Present but harder to see |
| Ruaha and Nyerere | Good numbers along rivers |
How guides find leopards
- Scanning branches of large trees for a dangling tail.
- Looking for a carcass hanging in a tree.
- Listening to alarm calls from baboons, monkeys and birds.
- Watching where impala or gazelle stare.
- Sharing sightings by radio with other guides.
Tips
Go out early and late, bring binoculars, and be patient. A leopard resting in a tree may stay for hours. Read cheetah vs leopard to tell them apart, and the Big Five in Tanzania.
The Serengeti nights on Serengeti and the crater include game drives in the Seronera valley.
Frequently asked questions
The Seronera valley in the central Serengeti, where leopards rest in trees along the rivers.
To keep it away from lions and hyenas, which cannot climb as well.
At night and around dawn and dusk.
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