Animals · Savanna · 2026

Cheetah in the wild: where, when and on which trip

Updated September 8, 2026 · Plan your trip

Cheeta op grasveld
Photo: David Groves via Unsplash

In short

The cheetah hunts in the early morning and late afternoon, so the best sightings fall in those hours. In the Serengeti it is reliably found; in the Kalahari it depends on the rain. Count on 2 to 4 game drives for a first sighting.

Biome
Savanna
IUCN status
VU · About 6,500 adult animals (IUCN)
Sighting chance
medium
Trip type
Guided safari
Budget
2,800 to 5,000 euros per person for 8 to 10 days
Scientific name
Acinonyx jubatus

About the Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and hunts by day, which sets it apart from most cats. In the Serengeti, the Kalahari and Kruger guides scan the high termite mounds where the cheetah stands lookout in the early morning. The odds vary but are never impossible.

Vulnerable. About 6,500 adult animals remain, spread across Africa and Iran.

Best countries for the Cheetah

Tanzania

Parks: Serengeti · best months January, February, June, July, August, September (January to September)

Botswana

Parks: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Kgalagadi · best months June, July, August, September, October (June to October)

South Africa

Parks: Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park · best months May, June, July, August, September (May to September)

Photo tip

Cheetahs let vehicles come close, down to about 10 meters. A 200-to-400-mm telelens and a fast shutter suffice for a sharp sprint or a portrait.

With children

Yes, suitable from about 6 years. Morning drives work best: the animals are active then and it is cooler.

Combine

Combines with lion, leopard and wild dog in the same parks. Tanzania and South Africa cover all four in one trip.

Sources

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How to book this trip

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Best for safari

Safaribouwer (example)

Puts together your Botswana or Tanzania route with local guides.

! Watch out: prices shift per season, always ask for a detailed quote.

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Ticketzoeker (example)

Compares flights to safari hubs like Maun and Kilimanjaro.

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Best for activities

Tourplatform (example)

Books whale watching or day tours with free cancellation.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best chance of a wild cheetah?

The Serengeti in Tanzania, the Central Kalahari and Kgalagadi in Botswana and the south of Kruger in South Africa. In the Serengeti cheetahs are found most reliably.

Why are cheetahs hard to protect?

They often lose their kill to lions and hyenas and need large, open ranges. Outside reserves the species clashes with livestock farmers, putting the population under further pressure.

How fast does a cheetah run?

Up to about 100 kilometres per hour over a short distance, but that sprint lasts only 20 to 30 seconds. Afterwards the animal needs a long time to cool down.

Last updated: September 8, 2026. All sighting chances, months and prices are indications based on public sources, not travel advice and no guarantee. Always check your government’s current travel advisory before departure.