Just over a week ago, a few of us guides and trackers set out from Varty Camp with a shared sense of anticipation hanging in the air. A much-anticipated incoming tropical storm was looming over the remaining days of our group guests’ stay. With this knowledge, we decided that this particular afternoon might be our only chance to explore the southwestern open grasslands of Londolozi before they transform with the rain and are inaccessible.
Endless possibilities and potential when scanning the open grasslands.
There was a quiet, collective hope across all three vehicles: could we find a cheetah? At Londolozi, finding one often feels like stumbling upon a needle in a haystack, so a recent update from our neighbours to the west was more than enough to send us along the boundary road with optimism and patience.
It soon felt as if the universe was conspiring in our favour. Not long after starting our search, Kirst Joscelyne radioed to say she had spotted a male cheetah walking across the boundary onto our property! As we approached, he had climbed onto a termite mound and lay there scanning the grasslands. The wind was whipping around him, gloomy clouds framing the horizon, and the smell of rain was heavy in the air. And in the distance, a great dazzle of zebra, close to a hundred strong, grazed uneasily…
When the cheetah stood up with intent, everything shifted. His focus was unmistakable: he’d spotted one of the many foals scattered among the herd. We watched as he glided through the grass, only his head visible, time stretching and compressing all at once. And then, suddenly, he was gone!
The grassland erupted! Black and white stripes scattered in every direction as we raced along, trying to keep up. His first attempt failed, but the herd split, and suddenly a second opportunity presented itself again. A pause. A breath. And then another explosive burst of speed.
We lost sight of him briefly, but we all knew. When the call came, “He’s done it!”, the energy on the vehicle was electric. There he lay, hidden in the grass, the hunt complete.
Success! The Male cheetah scans his surroundings (ensuring no lurking hyena or other predators) after successfully catching a zebra foal.
It was raw, intense, unforgettable. A moment that reminded us of nature at its wildest – and how incredibly privileged we are to witness these fleeting, powerful stories unfold.
Ranger Kirst Joscelyne managed to capture our vehicle and the male cheetah only moments after it had successfully caught its next meal!
In the rush of it all, my camera barely left its bag. Thankfully, thanks to our guests, the video below captures the essence of what we were lucky enough to experience.
Enjoy!
View this post on Instagram
Video credit: Kate Tennick, Reece Biehler & guest, Daniel Fiser
So good to see a cheetah kill and get to eat it the cheetah have a hard time when they pull a kill down there are so many other predators that can steal it from them praise to this male cheetah I hope he enjoyed it 😁
Wow! I’m surprised he went for it with so many adults around that could end him with a single kick. But clearly, he knows which risks are worth taking and in this case, his judgment was correct. An unusual sighting all around.
Hi Kate , I love cheetah, they are wonderful and brave, the elegance and intelligence, Mafdet goodness was portrayed as a cheetah. None the less I can’t see (-I know it’s a not right, impala and wildebeest, buffalo etc have the same value( but instinctively I can’t see a zebra foal killed. Even if cheetah go the quicker as possible like all felines without ripping it alive. It’s surely the cultural impact, as horses were regarded as the most important animals in the past, and nowadays they are been exploited but also adored. Wonderful action anyway, the cheetah is too beautiful and regal not to admire him!
Hi Kate, that was awesome video footage of the kill. So excited for the Cheetah, hope he got to eat his hard earned kill. Usually the hyenas are always stealing their kills. Photo’s are stunning as well.
What a fantastic report Kate supported by that amazing video. Knowing how difficult it is for cheetahs to survive in a territory populated by so many other larger, stronger predators, I’m thrilled to see them successfully take down a meal and have the opportunity to consume it. I’m sure your guests were thrilled by this experience and especially since it happened before the rains rendered the area less than desirable for a drive.
What an exciting afternoon for you and your guests, Kate.
A cheetah hunt is always so special.
Hi Kate,
On our 3rd game drive ever, we experienced the thrill, excitement, horror, and awe of a cheetah hunt and takedown. We instantly understood the life cycle inherent in that experience.
The athleticism of the cheetah was incredible: speed and strength. I can still hear the sounds of the chase and subsequent events. The mother cheetah disappeared very briefly and led her 2 cubs to the downed impala and “taught” her cubs how to finish the deed. Amazing and unforgettable.
See you in July!