Top 10 Best Places To Locate Cheetah on Safari

By Patrick Brakspear

Most people list the leopard as the most elusive of the big cats (lion, leopard and cheetah) to locate on safari. In truth, cheetah can be even more difficult to spot because their population is less abundant. Regular sightings of cheetah on safari are usually sporadic and local, as they are limited to only a few regions where the habitat and predator pressures are most favorable. If cheetahs are on your must-see list, below are SafariBookings' tips of where to go (in no particular order).

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1. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Mother cheetah with cubs at Masai Mara, Kenya

Cheetah sightings occur regularly in the Masai Mara National Reserve (and surrounding conservancies, such as Olare Orok, Mara North and Naboisho) and also in Serengeti National Park, in northern Tanzania. The grasslands of the Mara and Serengeti are the perfect cheetah habitat.

1,681 Masai Mara Safaris

2. Okavango, Kwando, Selinda & Savuti, Northern Botswana

Cheetah walking past zebra and wildebeest at Savuti, Botswana

This vast region offers good opportunities for cheetah and, as a result, safari-goers enjoy regular sightings in the more open savannah areas.

242 Northern Botswana Safaris

3. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Namibian cheetah at Etosha National Park

With its arid open grasslands, Etosha National Park supports a good population of cheetah and is consequently the largest repository of these speedy creatures in Namibia, which has more cheetahs than any other country.

96 Etosha Safaris

4. Private Reserves in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cheetah and safari vehicle at Shamwari Game Reserve

In the South African province of the Eastern Cape, cheetah populations benefit from private ownership. There are consistent cheetah sightings at several of the reserves in the region.

Eastern Cape Safaris

5. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans & Nxai Pan, Botswana

Two cheetahs on the road at Central Kalahari Game Reserve

With ample prey species (especially springbok) and open grasslands, the Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan regions in Botswana are good places to seek out cheetah. Make sure to check out Deception and Passarge Valleys and Piper and Tau Pans.

16 Central Kalahari Safaris

6. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Cheetah at Buffalo Springs, Kenya

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is renowned for its excellent cheetah sightings and recently removed the fence barriers with its neighbor, Borana Conservancy, extending this ideal cheetah habitat even further.

Lewa Safaris

7. Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania

Cheetah

Despite the dense predator numbers of lion, leopard and wild dog, Ruaha National Park (in Tanzania) is still a good location to seek out cheetah on safari. It is important to note that you should go there in the Dry season, for better visibility.

49 Ruaha Safaris

8. Kafue National Park, Zambia

Cheetah stretching at Kafue National Park, Zambia

Cheetah are found throughout the park, however, they come into their own in the northern Busanga Plains region.

47 Kafue Safaris

9. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

Cheetah in Tsavo East

Kenya has some excellent places to see cheetah, including Amboseli National Park. But the open country of vast Tsavo East National Park ranks among the most reliable. The plains east of Aruba Dam offer especially good chances.

266 Tsavo East Safaris

10. Private Reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Cheetah with cubs at Phinda Game Reserve

A number of private game reserves in this province of South Africa have re-introduced cheetah and populations are doing well.

Phinda Safaris

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By Patrick Brakspear

Patrick has been an Africa travel specialist, based in Australia, for over 10 years and prior to that was a safari operator in Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.