Big Cat Diary

This show is absolutely brilliant. I love everything about it. I started watching it back in 2008 when we had the Animal Planet for a short period and instantly fell in love. I have had a natural love for animals since I was a year old and this program and its animals captured my heart. The set up of the show is different from other animal documentaries in that it is more up close and personal with the animal stars. It follows their habitat, habits, family, and more. The animals are also given names so the viewer can grow even closer to them. My favorite character was the leopard named "Shadow" ("Zawadi" in Swahili). Seeing the animals...following them, was a really great experience. I now want to go on my own African safari!

Big Cat Week/Diary like Big Bear Week is an excellent documentary drama focusing on big cats in Africa. The presenters Simon King, Jonathan Scott and Saba Douglas Hamilton all bring expertise and wit and the ability to interest the viewer effortlessly yet still implying the seriousness of the situations involving the various groups of cats every day survival including lions, cheetahs and leopards. I watched the first season and the second and eagerly await the next edition, although we have to wait almost a year for the next series to begin. So far I have watched the first 3 series and the 4th I expect will begin in mid 2007. As soon as you begin watching it it's as if a spell has been cast which hooks you on and never lets go until the end of the series. No matter how many tragedies or shocks occur in the Big Cat Diary World I never get bored as all the dialogue and action is executed in perfect and addictive flair. If you love animal programmes you will love this show, but even if you're not interested (I wasn't interested in bears but watched Big Bear Week [2006] and was fascinated) partly because Saba Douglas Hamilton was involved. As I was saying even if you're not interested give it a chance and see how you like this show with it's mix of interesting facts, action and drama, which in my opinion is the perfect cocktail for this unique documentary. I love this show not normally being interested in television documentaries, if you liked Big Cat Diary you should also check out Big Bear Week which you will probably enjoy as much or even more. Well done to whoever organised this fascinating series. 10/10 entertainment.

This is the best big cat narrative program I have ever watched! I love it and have seen each episode repeatedly. The footage is amazing, the hosts are down to earth and speak with a comfort and ease that bonds with the audience, and the wildlife, is, well, breath-taking. This program is the number one reason I have planned a trip to Kenya for safari.

I watched the first season and the second and eagerly await the next edition, although we have to wait almost a year for the next series to begin. So far I have watched the first 3 series and the 4th I expect will begin in mid 2007. As soon as you begin watching it it's as if a spell has been cast which hooks you on and never lets go until the end of the series. The animals are also given names so the viewer can grow even closer to them. My favorite character was the leopard named "Shadow" ("Zawadi" in Swahili). Seeing the animals...following them, was a really great experience. I now want to go on my own African safari!

It's really hard to watch such a great show, then out comes Saba Hamilton..so boring, whispering...sounds like she's reading a monitor... ***

But Jonathan and Simon are great.... Love the documentary.

Thanks.

It almost seems that when Big Cat Diary began that I loved watching the stories and loved the animals. I don't remember all the heart wrenching scenes of deer and other animals being torn to bits whilst screaming... Today I can hardly even repeat, so heartbreaking, an antelope in mid- birth? surprised by a cheetah and chased with her unborn baby hanging from her. You know I can't even express how that got my day started. I love the stories of the lions and other big cats about their lives and the struggles that they incur but I am not interested in watching any more of the hunting scenes. Yes, I know that is part of their lives and of nature but I think there is a gentle way to tell the story of the lions without the emphasis on that part. In short, I love the lions but I love the other creatures, too. The way you are filming the shows is breaking my heart. For what it's worth...