Cheetah Safaris

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 mph in short bursts. Sleek, slender, and built for speed, cheetahs are a true highlight of any African safari. Often seen perched on rocks or termite mounds scanning the horizon, they hunt by day, breaking into explosive chases across the plains to bring down prey such as impala, gazelle, and wildebeest calves. Watching this drama unfold in the wild is one of the most exhilarating safari experiences.

Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot retract their claws, which gives them extra grip while sprinting. Their distinctive black “tear marks” reduce glare from the sun and help focus on prey, while their spotted coats provide camouflage in the grasslands. Generally solitary, males sometimes form coalitions, while mothers raise litters of up to six cubs, whose long, shaggy mantles mimic honey badgers to deter predators.

Cheetahs are found in fragmented populations across Africa, with strongholds in South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania, and a critically small population of around 50 surviving in Iran. Across their range, these endangered cats rely on vast open spaces to hunt, making the savannah and grasslands of East and Southern Africa the best places to see them. A cheetah safari offers a rare chance to watch the fastest land animal in action, often in broad daylight, as they scan the horizon from termite mounds or explode into powerful chases across the plains.

Some of the most rewarding destinations to see cheetahs in the wild include:

• Namiri Plains, Serengeti (Tanzania) – A remote, predator-rich area famed for cheetah sightings, where dedicated conservation camps help protect and monitor the species. The Serengeti’s endless grasslands are ideal terrain for witnessing high-speed hunts.
• Masai Mara (Kenya) – Renowned for its open savannahs, the Mara provides excellent cheetah encounters, particularly during the Great Migration when prey is abundant. Photographers often capture cheetahs resting on termite mounds or acacia branches here.
• Private Conservancies (Kenya & Tanzania) – Exclusive safari concessions bordering national parks offer quieter, more intimate cheetah viewing away from tourist crowds, with the added benefit of night drives and walking safaris.
• South Africa (Kruger & Private Reserves) – Though populations are smaller, sightings are regular on the open grasslands, and private reserves provide excellent photographic opportunities combined with other Big Five wildlife.

Together, these regions represent some of the best places in the world to see cheetahs, giving travellers the chance to support vital conservation while experiencing one of Africa’s most thrilling wildlife encounters.