You should get a lion they require about the same permits ect and really need about the same enclosure size , the food bill is slightly higher but you could charge your friends money to come visit.
Or if you want something more colorful a tiger is the animal for you.
Take a look on youtube at an organization called "Big cat rescue" they have heaps of cool videos and will give you lots of good ideas on how to keep your african wild cat species of choice.