A cheetah reaches a top speed of 112 km/h in three seconds. In the wild, a hunt averages four to twelve seconds. If you are lucky, you see it from start to finish. It is the fastest, most intense and most fleeting moment the African savanna has to offer.
But before you see that hunt, you have to find the cheetah. That is the challenge.
Why the cheetah is hard to see
Cheetahs are rarer than leopards and are counted at about 7,000 worldwide, with Tanzania harbouring a few hundred. They are day-active — unlike leopards — but they are small and low to the ground, and their spotted coat blends completely into dry grass.
The real complication: cheetahs are social strategists who avoid injury. They hunt mainly in the early morning and late afternoon. During the day they rest in tall grass or under a solitary tree on the plain — invisible, unless you know where to look.
The Serengeti technique
Trust your guide, but also learn to look yourself. Cheetahs choose a vantage point: a termite mound, a solitary rock, a fallen tree. They sit high enough to scan the horizon. You scan the horizon too — look for a taller, slimmer spot sitting upright.
The second technique: follow the gazelles. Cheetahs hunt Thomson's gazelles and wildebeest calves. Gazelles behave differently when a predator is nearby — they move nervously, all looking in the same direction. That is your cue.
Best locations
Ndutu Plains (Southern Serengeti): the best location in Tanzania. During calving season (December–March) there are thousands of wildebeest calves here — cheetahs know this too. Jonas has witnessed three cheetah hunts in one morning in Ndutu.
Serengeti Central (Seronera): smaller population but present year-round. Less chance of a hunt, but good chance of a peaceful sighting.
The hunt itself
When you see a cheetah standing on a termite mound and its eyes narrow: get your camera ready. The hunt begins when it steps off the mound. From that moment to the catch or miss, everything is a matter of seconds.
No shouting. No opening the window (keep the vehicle still). Speak softly or stay silent. Cheetahs are easily startled and a fright can break off the hunt even when the prey is close.
If the hunt succeeds: give the cheetah space. It is exhausted, eats quickly and can lose its kill to lions or hyenas. Our protocol: always at least 30 metres distance, no crowding, enjoy the moment.