Safari Cat Breed: Facts, Price & Why It Is the Rarest Cat Alive

If you have never heard of the Safari cat, you are not alone. This is one of the least documented cat breeds on the planet, and for good reason: fewer than 100 are believed to exist worldwide. Before you go searching for a Safari cat for sale, you need to understand why this breed is so hard to find, what actually drives its price, and whether it is even legal to own one where you live.

Quick facts people search for most (key takeaways):

• The Safari cat is one of the rarest cat breeds in the world. Estimates from breed sources put the global population at around 70 to 100 individuals, which makes it far scarcer than well known hybrids like the Bengal or Savannah.
• Its rarity comes down to chromosome math, not marketing. The Geoffroy's cat parent has 36 chromosomes while a domestic cat has 38, and that mismatch, combined with a longer gestation period in the wild parent, makes successful breeding genuinely difficult.
• No major cat registry recognizes the Safari cat as an official breed. TICA, CFA, and similar organizations do not list a Safari breed standard, which is exactly why reliable information is so hard to find and why buyers need to verify a cat's lineage through DNA testing rather than appearance alone.

Safari Cat Summary Table

Category	Details
Origin	Cross between the domestic cat and the Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), first bred in the 1970s
Estimated worldwide population	Roughly 70 to 100 cats
Typical price	$4,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on generation and quality
Weight (F1 males)	Up to 15 to 20 pounds
Weight (later generations)	Around 11 kg for males, 8 kg for females
Registry status	Not recognized by TICA, CFA, ACFA, GCCF, or FIFe as an official breed
Legal status	Restricted or banned in some states, including Idaho, Indiana, and Ohio, due to Geoffroy's cat regulations

What Is a Safari Cat?

The Safari cat is a hybrid breed created by crossing a domestic cat with the Geoffroy's cat, a small wild feline native to southern South America, ranging from Bolivia down through Argentina. The breed traces back to Washington State University in the 1970s, where researchers originally bred Safari cats to study feline leukemia, since the Geoffroy's cat shows some natural resistance to the disease. When the university's breeding program shut down due to reproductive difficulties, a small number of private breeders picked up the project and kept the line going purely as a companion animal.

Early names for the breed included Criollo and Appaloosa before it settled on Safari, a nod to its wild, exotic appearance. The coat resembles a small leopard, with spotted or swirled markings that can appear in black, silver gray, or a deep orange, and cats often retain the small white eye spot on the back of each ear that is characteristic of the Geoffroy's cat.

Why Is the Safari Cat So Rare?

The core problem is genetic. A Geoffroy's cat carries 36 chromosomes, while a domestic cat carries 38, so a Safari kitten ends up with 37, an odd number that creates real reproductive complications down the line. Many male offspring, particularly by the F4 generation, turn out to be sterile, which sharply limits how many breeding lines can continue.

Gestation length adds another obstacle. A domestic cat typically carries kittens for about 65 days, while a Geoffroy's cat carries hers for around 75 days, making timing and breeding management far less predictable than with a standard domestic litter. Add in the mismatch in chromosome count, and it becomes clear why breeders describe the Safari cat as one of the most difficult hybrids to reproduce consistently, even compared to other wild hybrid breeds like the Bengal or Savannah.

Safari Cat Price and What Drives It

A Safari cat typically costs $4,000 to $8,000 or more, and the final number depends heavily on generation, coat quality, and how close the kitten is to the original Geoffroy's cat line. Because of how few breeders work with this hybrid worldwide, prices are rarely negotiable and waitlists are common rather than the exception.

Generation also changes the cat's physical size dramatically. F1 males, the direct offspring of a Geoffroy's cat, can weigh up to 15 to 20 pounds, noticeably larger than later generations, which typically settle around 11 kg for males and 8 kg for females as the wild ancestry becomes more diluted.

Is a Safari Cat Legal to Own?

Because the Safari cat descends directly from a wild species, its legal status is tied to the laws governing Geoffroy's cat ownership rather than to any domestic cat breed standard. States including Idaho, Indiana, and Ohio restrict or ban Geoffroy's cats outright, which extends to the Safari hybrid. Beyond state law, city and county ordinances covering exotic and hybrid animals can add further restrictions, so anyone considering a Safari cat should confirm the rules with their state wildlife agency and local animal control office before pursuing a purchase.

Since the Safari cat is not recognized by TICA, CFA, ACFA, GCCF, or FIFe, there is no official breed standard or registry to verify a cat's ancestry. DNA testing, not a visual exam, is the only reliable way to confirm that a cat marketed as a Safari actually carries Geoffroy's cat lineage.

Safari Cat Temperament

Temperament varies noticeably by generation. F1 Safari cats tend to bond intensely with a single person and can be distant or wary around anyone else, a common trait in first generation wild hybrids. F2 and later generations are generally described as gentle, intelligent, and affectionate, retaining a strong personality without the same level of wariness. Across generations, Safari cats are known as excellent climbers and highly athletic, active hunters, so they need enrichment and vertical space rather than a passive indoor routine.

Conclusion: Should You Look for a Safari Cat?

The Safari cat is not a breed you casually decide to own. With a global population estimated at under 100 cats, no formal breed recognition, real legal restrictions in several states, and a price tag in the thousands of dollars, this is a commitment reserved for experienced exotic cat owners working with a verified, reputable breeder. For most cat lovers drawn to the wild, spotted look, a recognized and more available hybrid like the Bengal or Savannah offers a similar aesthetic with far more support, documentation, and legal clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Safari Cat Breed

How rare is the Safari cat breed?
The Safari cat is considered one of the rarest cat breeds in the world, with breed sources estimating a global population of only around 70 to 100 individuals, far fewer than other wild hybrid breeds such as the Bengal or Savannah.

How much does a Safari cat cost?
A Safari cat typically costs $4,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on the cat's generation, coat quality, and proximity to the original Geoffroy's cat lineage. Because so few breeders work with this hybrid, waitlists are common.

Why are Safari cats so difficult to breed?
Safari cats are difficult to breed because the Geoffroy's cat parent has 36 chromosomes compared to the domestic cat's 38, resulting in kittens with an odd chromosome count. This, combined with a longer gestation period in the wild parent and frequent male infertility by the F4 generation, makes successful breeding rare.

Is the Safari cat recognized as an official breed?
No. The Safari cat is not recognized by major registries including TICA, the Cat Fanciers' Association, ACFA, GCCF, or FIFe, so there is no official breed standard, which is why DNA testing is the only reliable way to confirm a cat's lineage.

Is it legal to own a Safari cat in the United States?
It depends on the state. Because the Safari cat descends from the Geoffroy's cat, states that restrict or ban Geoffroy's cat ownership, including Idaho, Indiana, and Ohio, extend those same restrictions to the Safari hybrid. Always check state and local exotic animal laws before buying.

What is the difference between an F1 and F2 Safari cat?
An F1 Safari cat is the direct offspring of a Geoffroy's cat and a domestic cat, tends to be larger, and often bonds closely with only one person. F2 Safari cats are generally smaller, calmer, and more consistently affectionate, making them a more practical choice for most households.

How big does a Safari cat get?
Size depends on generation. F1 males can weigh up to 15 to 20 pounds, while later generation Safari cats typically stabilize around 11 kg for males and 8 kg for females as the Geoffroy's cat ancestry becomes more diluted.

Data source:
wamiz.co.uk
buzzpetz.com
mascotarios.org
catster.com
gokitty.com
f1hybridssavannahcats.com