Photo by Mukambi Safaris
Nearby the careful observer might notice an undulating movement of spots just below the height of the grass. But it’s difficult to decipher before it sinks out of sight. Slowly the senses settle back into the dawn reverie.
Suddenly, a primal awareness draws the eye to a blur, shattering the tranquillity. An explosive line of dust marks the passage of action, culminating in a bleat, a scuffle – before calm returns. In seconds, the world’s fastest land mammal – the cheetah – has brought down an impala and must now rest before it feasts.
Capable of accelerating to speeds of up to 100 km/h (60 mph) for short distances, these big cats – with the larger males measuring around 77 cm (30”) at the shoulder and averaging 64 kg (140 lbs) – were historically found across Africa and in parts of southwestern Asia. Today, numerous factors; including habitat loss, interspecies competition, poaching/hunting and a diminished gene pool, mean wild cheetahs exist in isolated pockets (typically national parks) eking out an existence while forces beyond their control decide their fate.
Cheetahs are classified by the IUCN as “vulnerable”, meaning they are at risk of extinction in the wild. With their future uncertain, the imperative to protect them is massive. Journey with us now as we highlight the best places to see cheetahs across Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and with some luck, see them doing what they do better than anyone else – feed the need for speed.
Need Wide Open Spaces? Namibia’s Got You!
To reach maximum speed, it helps if there are few obstacles. And in that respect, much of Namibia represents optimal cheetah habitat; spacious grasslands dotted with termite hills that cheetahs like to climb to scan their surroundings. However, cheetahs are also at home in fairly dense vegetation, where their supreme agility aided by a long, counter-balancing tail allows them to zig-zag at speed.
But if you are researching where to see cheetahs for maximum cheetah viewing success, few safari destinations in Southern Africa compare with Etosha National Park in northern Namibia. In this arid region, access to water for wildlife is crucial, so you can heighten your chances of spotting a cheetah by spending time at one of the manmade waterholes. In addition to cheetahs, the park is home to 4 of the Big 5 – lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos – as well as two near-endemic antelope species: the black-faced impala and the diminutive Damara dik-dik.
Surely everyone agrees that cheetahs have a regal air about them? If you too like your surroundings to have a more refined air, the adjacent Etosha Heights Private Nature Reserve is home to the Safari House, where you can round off your cheetah-viewing with fine dining and every comfort imaginable.
FOCUSED FUN FACT: Be sure to pack your sunglasses, as the bright sunlight and reflective white dust can strain the eyes. Obviously, cheetahs don’t wear them, so to enhance their vision in bright conditions, cheetahs have evolved black “tear stripes” that help reduce glare. Cheetahs are the most diurnal big cats but they do occasionally hunt on moonlit nights.
Thirsting For Wildlife? Botswana’s Got You!
All that speed and nothing to chase would make for a decidedly unfulfilled cheetah. In that respect, Botswana has much to offer. Along with Namibia, the country ranks in the top 5 worldwide in terms of mega-fauna conservation. This means that there is a great diversity and abundance of species for cheetahs to hunt. Across Botswana, they are most commonly seen doing so in the Okavango Delta with its extensive selection of safari camps and lodges. Situated overlooking a broad floodplain, Machaba Camp offers guests a front-row seat for predator-prey interactions, not to mention access to the fabulous Moremi Game Reserve and waterways of the delta.
Being relatively slight in build, cheetahs are often forced to surrender their prey to larger predators. For this reason, with its lower populations of leopards and hyenas, cheetahs thrive in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. And, if you also want to avoid the crowds, consider joining a mobile safari in pursuit of cheetahs in this vast wilderness.
FRIENDLY FUN FACT: Social behaviours are important indicators when you are considering where to see cheetahs. Although often considered solitary cats, cheetahs do spend quite some time socialising with their own kind. Mothers form close bonds with up to eight cubs, investing up to two years raising them and invariably repeating this throughout their 8-12-year lifespan. Males also commonly form coalitions of up to five animals. This allows the cheetahs to protect larger territories and bring down larger prey. Wildlife documentaries most often show cheetahs hunting medium-sized antelope, like impala. However, as is typical of cats, they don’t need much to go into stalk-mode, successfully chasing everything from rodents to giraffes.
Curious Like a Cat? Zambia’s Got You!
Another great option for cheetah safaris in Southern Africa; Zambia is a vast, largely undeveloped country with sufficient wild lands for cheetahs to establish a territory. Depending on the density of both predators and prey, territory sizes range from as little as 33 sq. km (13 sq. mi) up to a massive 1500 sq. km (570 sq. mi). As Africa’s second largest and Zambia’s largest national park, Kafue is naturally the place where you are most likely to spot wild cheetahs.
Many of Kafue’s lodges are situated close to water, meaning there is almost always wildlife nearby – and the opportunity to explore its aquatic inhabitants; like hippos, crocodiles and diverse waterbird species.
NOT SO FUN FACT: Female cheetahs are devoted, courageous and patient mothers. Raising litters of up to 8 cubs, whose silky white back hairs are said to mimic the colouration of the feisty honey badger, is a monumental challenge – and infant mortality due to inter-predator conflict is at an alarming 95%. Among these brave moms, certain cheetahs, like Kali of Liuwa Plains National Park in western Zambia are apparent super moms, raising successive litters to dispersal age. It’s worth mentioning that the global cheetah population suffered a near-catastrophic genetic bottleneck 12 000 years ago, meaning today’s population is severely immuno-compromised.
Zooming Across Zim? Zimbabwe’s Got You!
Zimbabwe is blessed with incredible national parks and for many, Hwange is streaks ahead. And, if you’re looking to add cheetah to your sightings checklist, this is considered the go-to destination although good sightings are also reported at Mana Pools and Gonarezhou National Parks. Hwange is conveniently situated between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo in western Zimbabwe and covers a massive 14 650 sq km (5 656 sq mi) – ample space for a thriving cheetah population.
Lodges in Hwange report a very high cheetah viewing success rate. As any person who has spent time searching for where to see cheetahs, sightings are never guaranteed and with the various threats facing cheetahs, each encounter is a considerable privilege. Working hard to ensure that the cheetahs of Hwange remain on its plains for future generations to enjoy, community-led initiatives need all the help and support they can get.
FAST FUN FACT: Cheetahs are quite literally built for speed. This means they bring down over 50% of their prey (compared to roughly 30% for lions and leopards). Let’s look at some of the key adaptations;
When Chasing Cheetahs…
Although not members of the fabled Big 5, cheetahs are an iconic African species amongst an incredible diversity of wildlife, birdlife and plant life found across Southern Africa. Their explosive speed is legendary, their almost aloof gaze reminds us of our place in the natural order of things, while the threats that face them, remind us that we should never take Nature for granted. As you continue to discover where to see cheetahs and set off in search of this elegant spotted cat, remember to enjoy everything you see along the way – it is all vitally important if we are to preserve and enjoy their spacious habitat into the future.