Finding Cheetahs on a Tanzania Safari

Cheetahs need a very different landscape from lions and leopards, and that shows in where you'll actually find them. They do well on the open plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area because they hunt by sight over long distances, which calls for the flat, unobstructed views that dense woodland can't provide. Timing overlaps in an interesting way too. Cheetah sightings often cluster around calving season, because the open plains that suit cheetah hunting are also crowded with vulnerable young wildebeest, which means plentiful, easy prey in just the terrain cheetahs prefer. Here's a useful detail if you're planning a full day of game drives. Lions and leopards lean on dawn, dusk or darkness, but cheetahs hunt during the day. So midday drives, which are often quiet for other predators, can still pay off when cheetahs are what you're after. Have a look at our calving season guide, or browse our photographic safari itineraries to plan a trip built around cheetahs.