Most people set out hoping to see lions and leopards on safari, but the cheetah is just as worth looking for. It is endangered, with only around 7,000 left in the wild, so seeing one is not easy — and that difficulty is part of the thrill.
Cheetahs are smaller than the other big cats, but nimble and the fastest of all land animals. They are seen regularly only in a few areas where they are less threatened and have enough prey.
They live in open plains, grassland, scrub and light woodland, and Africa is one of the best places to see them. A few spots on the continent are known cheetah country. Here are six of the best.
1. Masai Mara, Kenya
The Masai Mara is one of the best places in the world to watch wildlife, and its open savannahs hold a good number of cheetahs, seen regularly on safari.
The Masai Mara runs the Mara Cheetah Project, which tracks the local cheetahs and helps show where sightings are most likely.
One of the biggest draws for cheetahs here is the annual great migration. As millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move up from the Serengeti in Tanzania, cheetahs follow the prey and are seen more often.
2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
South of the Mara lies the Serengeti National Park, known for its high cheetah densities, which makes it a good place to look.
Sightings are frequent on the southern plains in the green season (December to May) and in the central areas in the dry season (June to November). During the migration, cheetahs prey on the herds heading for the Mara. The open plains and sparse grass suit them well, and one of the best areas is the Namiri Plains in the east, long a stronghold for cheetahs.
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
In South Africa the open grassy plains are less common than in the east, but Kruger National Park is still home to around 200 cheetahs and offers decent chances of a sighting.
You may come across them in the central part of the park, or from one of the lodges, especially Sweni or Lebombo.
4. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve lies next to Kruger National Park and shares its wildlife. It is best known for the Big Five, but cheetahs are seen here too.
Its exclusive lodges make for excellent wildlife viewing, and along with the occasional cheetah you have a good chance of seeing leopards.
5. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Remote and vast, it has become a stronghold for cheetahs.
What you see depends on the season. In the green season, fresh grass draws grazers into the reserve, and predators such as lion and cheetah follow. The flat, open ground makes cheetahs easier to spot, and they are often seen in the Deception Valley area, reached from the Kalahari Plains camp. The reserve is accessible only by 4WD.
6. Kafue National Park, Zambia
Kafue is the oldest and largest national park in Zambia, with a wide range of wildlife. Zambia’s cheetah population is small, but Kafue is the most reliable place to see them, thanks to its open terrain.
The park’s north-western corner, the Busanga Plains, has Zambia’s finest open grasslands. It holds large herds of puku, a golden antelope that cheetahs favour, and these herds draw the cats onto the plains, which makes it a fine spot to see them.
Cheetahs are a fascinating animal, but they are badly endangered, and most of the threats they face are caused by people: hunting, habitat loss, illegal trafficking and conflict with livestock farmers. Visiting parks like these is not only about the sightings; it is also a chance to learn about the cheetah’s plight and to support its conservation. When you do go, stick to ethical practices.
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