No. There are no wild tigers in Africa. Tigers live only in Asia. It is one of the most common questions we get, often from younger travellers, and the good news is that Tanzania has three big cats of its own, plus several smaller ones.
Where do tigers live?
Wild tigers are found in parts of South and Southeast Asia and the Russian Far East, in countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Russia. They live in forests, grasslands and mangroves. Tigers have never lived in the wild in Africa.
Big cats you will see in Tanzania
| Cat | Key features | Best places |
|---|---|---|
| Lion | Plain tawny coat, males with manes, live in prides | Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha |
| Leopard | Rosette spots, powerful, often in trees | Central Serengeti, Tarangire, Ruaha |
| Cheetah | Slim, solid black spots, black “tear marks” | Southern and eastern Serengeti, Ndutu |
Smaller wild cats
- Serval: long legs and huge ears, hunts rodents in long grass.
- Caracal: reddish coat and tufted ears, rarely seen.
- African wildcat: looks like a tabby house cat, active at night.
Tiger vs lion
| Tiger | Lion | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Asia | Africa (and a small population in India) |
| Coat | Orange with black stripes | Plain tawny |
| Social life | Solitary | Live in prides |
| Habitat | Forest, grassland, mangroves | Savanna, open woodland |
Interestingly, a small population of Asiatic lions lives in the Gir Forest in India, so India has both lions and tigers. Africa has only lions.
Why the confusion?
- Cartoons and films sometimes show tigers alongside African animals.
- In some translations, the Swahili word chui (leopard) is given as tiger.
- Tigers appear in zoos and parks in some African countries.
Tips for seeing Tanzania’s big cats
- Go early. Cats are most active at dawn.
- Spend time in the Serengeti. It is one of the best places in Africa for all three big cats.
- Visit during calving season. From January to February, predators gather around the herds in the south. See Calving Season, Ndutu.
- Look up. Leopards rest in trees.
- Scan the plains for cheetahs sitting on termite mounds.
Plan your big cat safari
Serengeti & Crater gives you the central Serengeti for leopards and lions and the Ngorongoro Crater for lions and rhinos. Read about the Big Five and animals in the Serengeti for more.
Frequently asked questions
No. Wild tigers live only in Asia. Any tigers in Africa are in captivity.
Lions, leopards and cheetahs, plus smaller wild cats such as servals, caracals and African wildcats.
Films, cartoons and children’s books sometimes show tigers with African animals. In Swahili, the word for leopard, chui, is also sometimes translated as tiger.
