21 February 2025

How to increase my chances of photographing young “big cat” cubs

My last travel goal is to be able to photograph young “big cat” cubs in the wild. By young I’m meaning 3 months old or less. Do some people just get lucky? I’ve traveled to Kenya based on my guides information that there were leopard cubs sighted only to find that information false. Another trip was postponed because the cubs were killed shortly before I was to fly out. I spent 3 weeks in India hoping to see tiger cubs. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of success?

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rfaithnelson
I live in Oregon (USA) & have loved photography since picking up a camera in high school. It took me many years to be able to afford a decent camera & earn enough money to begin my love of travel. Now, many years later, I am winding up my “traveling days” but hope to accomplish a few “bucket list” goals before focusing more on US travels. Wildlife, big cats especially, and “mom’s & babies” are what I love most but I love photographing all wildlife.
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8 Comments

  • 21 February 2025
    Sebastian Kennerknecht

    In my opinion, the best thing you can do is have a good connection with a local guide, or lodge manager, or even lodge owner if they are based on location. You can then work it out that you are on call (if you have that freedom). Great guides will know when a big cat is pregnant. Then based on gestation period and the guides checking in on the female, you can work out when the cubs should be born, and at what time the cubs will leave the den. Three months or less is pushing it for some big cats as most will leave the den starting around two months. Hope that helps!

    • 22 February 2025
      rfaithnelson

      I think that is one of the best ways, and I am working on that, but it takes knowing the right people. That is how I ended up flying last minute to Kenya but unfortunately the guides information wasn’t correct. I had used him many times before so I believe he really thought the information was correct. Just trying to see if there are other options I haven’t thought of. It’s a very hard “goal” I know.

  • 22 February 2025
    Matt Pep

    I think South Africa might be your best shot. There’s so much public information and even live time sightings that people share via different apps. For example: just a day ago it was shared that a white lion cub was seen in the Kruger national park around the Orpen area just a week ago

    • 22 February 2025
      rfaithnelson

      Do you know of any apps I could join that might give me the information I am seeking? I’ve never been to Kruger but heard it is amazing.

  • 22 February 2025
    Sandra Stewart

    I can put you in touch with a couple of excellent guides and very experienced photographers in India. They know the tiger parks intimately and would be able to give you the heads up if there are any showing. We had great tiger cub sightings in Ranthambhore.

    • 23 February 2025
      rfaithnelson

      I would appreciate that! I may have mentioned I spent 3 weeks in India this year hoping to find tiger cubs but didn’t. I think it would take more than just the regular safari to have much of a chance for tiger cubs as young as I am hoping. I did see many tigers & a lot of other wildlife.

      • 25 February 2025
        Asanoth

        Also, at a “regular” tiger safari, you would not probably get nice pictures anyway, as the cubs are smaller, you would need to be closer to them, and therefore having a bad angle from the jeep. You would need a driver/tracker who understands that you do not want to (?) shoot the tigers from up close and above.

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    • 25 February 2025
      rfaithnelson

      I’d love any guides you would recommend for such a hard goal.

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