Cheetahs, the fastest land animals on Earth, are an awe-inspiring sight. Their slender, muscular bodies built for speed, and their lightning-quick sprinting abilities make them a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts. While cheetahs once roamed across much of Africa, their numbers are now dwindling, making sightings a bit more challenging, but still entirely possible in some incredible locations. If you’re a wildlife lover or an adventurer seeking to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, here are some of the best places to see these beautiful creatures in the wild.
1. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Masai Mara is one of the best places in the world to witness cheetahs. This iconic wildlife reserve in Kenya is known for its vast savannahs and impressive predator populations, including these spotted cats. The reserve is home to a large number of these fast felines, and during the Great Migration, you’ll often see them hunting antelope along with other big cats like lions and leopards. Cheetah sightings are frequent here, and the open plains offer an excellent vantage point for viewing.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year excluding April and May. Migration season – July to October.
2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Serengeti in Tanzania is one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. This vast park is famous for its dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and the annual migration of wildebeest. Cheetah populations in the Serengeti are healthy, and the park offers excellent opportunities to see these swift hunters in action. The open plains and short grass areas are ideal for spotting cheetahs as they hunt for their favourite prey, such as gazelles and impalas.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year excluding April and May.
3. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a unique and pristine ecosystem where the cheetah thrives in particular areas. While it’s more famous for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and hippos, this speedy feline can be found in the drier regions on the periphery of the delta. The combination of lush wetlands and surrounding savannah creates a variety of habitats where cheetahs can roam freely. Exploring the delta on a safari can provide some exceptional opportunities for cheetah sightings in the right areas, especially during dry seasons when they venture toward the open plains in search of prey.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
4. Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
If you are passionate about conservation and want to contribute to efforts that protect these endangered animals, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia is the perfect place to visit. Located in the northern part of the country, CCF is a world leader in cheetah conservation. While the organization works to rehabilitate animals, they also offer tours where visitors can learn about their behaviour, their threats, and how CCF is helping them thrive in the wild. You can observe rehabilitated cheetahs and also see them in their natural Namibian habitat.
Best time to visit: Year-round
5. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Another gem in Namibia, Etosha National Park, offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa. While the park is known for its salt pans and wide variety of wildlife, including lions, rhinos and elephants, cheetahs can often be spotted on the outskirts of the park, hunting in the open plains. Etosha’s unique structure of waterholes around the park attracts an abundance of wildlife, providing excellent opportunities for sightings as they often come to drink or hunt near these areas.
Best time to visit: June to October (dry season)
6. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is a vast wilderness that is home to diverse wildlife, including large populations of cheetahs. The park’s open grasslands, scrub, and savannahs make it an ideal habitat for these agile predators. Though less known for cheetahs compared to places like the Serengeti, Hwange offers excellent opportunities to spot them, especially in the areas surrounding waterholes. The park is less crowded than other popular safari destinations, giving you a more intimate experience with nature.
Best time to visit: May to October (dry season)
7. Private Reserves, South Africa
For a more exclusive and intimate experience, South Africa’s private reserves, such as Phinda Private Game Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari and Kwandwe Game Reserve, offer exceptional opportunities. These reserves provide a more personalised safari experience with smaller groups and expert guides, allowing visitors to get up close to cheetahs in their natural habitat.
Phinda, located in KwaZulu-Natal, is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and has a healthy population of cheetahs, which roam across its expansive landscapes of savannah and forest. Kwandwe, situated in the Eastern Cape, is another prime destination where cheetah sightings are frequent. With its vast, unspoiled wilderness and commitment to conservation, Kwandwe offers a chance to see both hunting and the animals interacting with their environment in a tranquil setting, away from the larger crowds of public parks.
Tswalu Kalahari, located in the arid Kalahari Desert, is South Africa’s largest private game reserve and is a haven for cheetahs. The vast, open landscapes of Tswalu offer an excellent opportunity to observe their behaviour, especially in the early mornings or late afternoons when they are most active. All three reserves emphasize sustainable tourism and wildlife protection, making them fantastic choices for those seeking an unforgettable wildlife encounter while supporting conservation efforts.
Best time to visit: May to October (dry season)
8. Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia
Okonjima Nature Reserve in Namibia is a premier destination for cheetah enthusiasts, offering unparalleled opportunities to observe these sleek predators in their natural habitat. Situated near Otjiwarongo in central Namibia, Okonjima is home to the renowned AfriCat Foundation, which focuses on the conservation of Namibia’s carnivores, including cheetahs. Visitors can join guided tracking safaris to locate cheetahs on foot or by vehicle, gaining fascinating insights into their behaviour and the challenges they face in the wild. The reserve’s stunning landscapes, from rolling plains to rugged mountains, provide the perfect backdrop for sightings. Okonjima’s commitment to conservation and responsible tourism makes it an essential stop for those wanting to experience the beauty and vulnerability of Africa’s cheetahs.
Best time to visit: Year round
Conclusion
If you’re looking to experience the majesty of cheetahs in their natural habitat, these destinations should be on your bucket list. Whether you choose the vast plains of Kenya and Tanzania or the remote regions of Botswana and Namibia, these spots offer some of the best opportunities to witness these special cats in their natural habitat.
If you would like to chat about planning a holiday to see cheetah or for any other holiday to Africa or the Indian Ocean, please do get in touch with Lucinda and she would be delighted to help.