Cheetahs on safari

Adult cheetahs can live to around 10 to 12 in the wild; however, cub mortality is high as they often are killed by other predators. On safari, adults are most often seen alone, in a coalition or with older cubs after the high-risk early years of life.

Cheetahs have solid black spots, ‘teardrop’ lines from their eyes to their mouths, a slim frame, small head and thick tails, which are used for balance during high speed chases. Leopards are stockier with rosette-shaped markings (multiple spots in a loose circle). Leopards also climb trees, whereas cheetahs rarely do.

Cheetah tear marks are black lines running from the corner of the eyes to the mouth. They are thought to help reduce glare from sunlight and may improve focus when tracking prey in bright open plains, especially as cheetah typically hunt during the day.

If you see a cat in a tree on safari it is most likely a leopard. Cheetahs can climb low branches but are not strong climbers as their claws are designed for traction and speed rather than gripping. However, they often use higher objects like termite mounds to better spot prey. 

It is believed that cheetah cubs have a mantle of long hair along their backs to mimic tall grass, providing camouflage and acting as a deterrent to other predators during their most vulnerable early weeks.

A cheetah can reach 100 to 120 km/h (70 to 75 mph) in short bursts. They can accelerate extremely quickly, reaching top speed in only a few seconds. This speed is typically seen during hunts in open savannah where visibility allows short, high-speed chases, for example in the Serengeti.

A cheetah can sprint at top speed for about 200 to 300 metres before overheating. Most chases are abandoned and to see a cheetah reach full speed for a successful hunt on safari is extremely rare. Open areas like the Mara Triangle and Kafue, give you a better chance of seeing natural hunting behaviour.

Cheetahs hunt during daylight to avoid nocturnal predators like lions and hyenas that are active at night and can easily steal their prey. Their eyesight is also adapted for visual tracking in good light.

Cheetahs typically chase and then trip or pull prey off balance using a high-speed swipe. They kill prey with a suffocating throat bite. While cheetahs rely on precision rather than power, interestingly they have a higher bite force (approx. 400–475 PSI) compared to leopards (approx. 300–500 PSI). 

Cheetahs lose around 10–15% of their kills as they are lightweight and have little energy after a high-speed chase to defend carcasses against stronger predators. This forces rapid feeding and frequent hunting, with a single cheetah killing between 30 and 150 animals a year.

Cheetahs mainly hunt small to medium antelope such as impala, puku, springbok, and Thomson’s gazelles, depending on the region. They typically target younger or isolated prey that can be caught in a short chase. Areas with open habitat and abundant antelope are often good cheetah destinations.

Cheetahs usually hunt alone, especially females. Males sometimes form small coalitions, often brothers, to improve hunting success and help with territory defense. Young cheetahs practice hunting through play, stalking, chasing and pouncing behaviours.

Our best sightings of cheetah occur in the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Okavango Delta, Linyanti, and Kafue. The southern part of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is also a good area for cheetah sightings, with our concession considered a prime area due to the grasslands which are favoured by them to hunt.

Early mornings and late afternoons are typically best for cheetah sightings. Cheetahs are most active in these cooler daytime hours when prey is also moving. Although diurnal, midday heat reduces activity, making sightings less likely and the perfect time to enjoy some rest back at your safari camp.

Cheetahs prefer open grassland, savannah, semi-arid plains and lightly wooded areas where visibility is high and they can use their speed effectively. Safari regions with short grass, such as Hwange’s Ngamo Plains or Kafue’s Busanga Plains, improve chances of seeing active hunting behaviour.

No, cheetah sightings are not guaranteed. Cheetahs are wide-ranging and often solitary, with large territories. Even in areas with good habitat or regular sightings, cheetahs can be difficult to find, but our guides know the best places for possible encounters with these elegant cats.

Cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable with one of the smallest population densities of any African big cat. Habitat loss, low genetic diversity, and conflict with humans continue to reduce and further fragment populations. Conservation work and protected safari areas are critical for long-term survival.

Around 6,500 to 7,500 cheetahs remain in the wild. Populations are fragmented across Africa, and there is a small range in Iran. That said, there are certain areas in Namibia, Zambia and East Africa where sightings of these cats are more regular.

The main threats to cheetahs include habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and cub mortality. The illegal wildlife trade, including the pet trade, also has an impact. We are involved in several carnivore conservation programmes which work to safeguard cheetahs and other predators.

Responsible safari tourism helps fund conservation efforts, anti-poaching, and habitat protection. Revenue also helps support and grow protected areas where cheetahs can hunt and breed safely, while monitoring programmes track populations and reduce conflict with communities.