Cheetahs
WILDLIFE
Staying in the heart of big cat country, a haven for cheetah, you encounter them out on the vast plains. Often perched on rocks for panoramic views of potential prey, or if you’re lucky, you might see them break out into a wild, fast chase to catch impala.
With access to camps built specifically for their conservation, and with game drives and walks, we put you in the right place at the right time to see cheetah in their wild and natural environment.
Cheetahs are a real treat to see on safari and we have some excellent camps and conservation areas that give you the best chances of seeing them.
Why NWS for your Cheetah Safari?
Cheetahs can be easy to spot if you know how and where to look for them, we have access to prime cheetah areas outside of the main reserves for excellent encounters, such as Namiri Plains.
Sometimes confused with leopards, cheetahs actually have very different markings; from their solid spots, opposed to the rosettes of a leopard, to the black ‘tear’ marks running down their cheeks. They have more slender bodies and longer legs and, unlike all other big cats, cannot retract their claws. Cheetahs hunt during the day to avoid competition with the larger cats, including lion and leopard. Their ‘tear’ marks help to absorb the bright sunlight and prevent glare and they will hunt anything, from baby antelope and ostrich to wildebeest.
Rather than hide in the foliage, cheetahs are usually found in open spaces – this allows them to chase down their prey without obstacles. Usually solitary animals, you may find a family group sticking together or a group of dominant males forming a coalition. The young cubs are born to resemble honey badgers as a form of defence.
Found in fragmented parks from South Africa through to Kenya and Tanzania with an extremely small population (50) found in Iran.
