MammalsVulnerable

Cheetah

✓ Reviewed by Nhongo Safaris Field Guide · Updated 4 November 2026

Cheetah at a glance

Height70–90 cm at the shoulder
Weight35–65 kg
Length1.1–1.5 m, plus a 65–80 cm tail
Lifespan10–12 years in the wild
DietImpala, steenbok, duiker and springhares
Top speedAround 100 km/h in short sprints
ActiveBy day, mostly early morning and late afternoon
GestationAbout 93 days, usually 3–5 cubs
Conservation statusVulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Track and paw print

Roughly 7–8 cm across, and rounder and narrower than a leopard's. The claws show in the print, because a cheetah's claws are only partly retractable and grip the ground like running spikes.

Lesser-known facts

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, reaching about 100 km/h within a few seconds. A sprint only lasts around half a minute, so afterwards the cat must rest and catch its breath before it can eat.

Cheetahs cannot roar. They purr, and they make a bird-like chirp to call their cubs. The dark "tear lines" running from the eyes to the mouth cut sun glare, and their claws stay partly out like running spikes for grip.

Cheetahs hunt by day because lions, leopards and hyenas hunt at night, and those rivals often steal their kills. Mothers raise their cubs alone, and the young cubs have a fluffy silver mane along their backs.

Where to spot it in Kruger

Scan open grassy plains, such as the areas around Satara, and look for cheetahs sitting on termite mounds or low rises. Early morning gives the best chances.

Guide tip

Scan termite mounds and low rises on open plains. Cheetahs climb them to look out over the grass, and a sudden stare from the antelope around them can give a cheetah away.

Photo gallery

Questions and answers

How fast can a cheetah run?

A cheetah reaches around 100 km/h in short sprints, making it the fastest land animal. A sprint only lasts about half a minute, so afterwards the cheetah must rest before it can eat.

Can cheetahs roar?

No. Cheetahs cannot roar. They purr, and they make a bird-like chirp to call their cubs.

What is the difference between a cheetah and a leopard?

A cheetah is slimmer, with long legs and solid black spots, and dark "tear lines" running from its eyes to its mouth. A leopard is stockier, with rosette-shaped spots and no tear lines, and it often rests in trees.

Where is the best place to see cheetahs in Kruger?

Scan open grassy plains, such as the areas around Satara, and look for cheetahs sitting on termite mounds or low rises. Early morning gives the best chances.

Are cheetahs dangerous?

Cheetahs are shy and the least aggressive of the big cats, but they are still wild predators. Stay inside your vehicle, keep your distance, and follow your guide's instructions.

Best time to see the Cheetah

Best months: May–Sep

In the dry winter months the grass is short and animals gather near water, so open plains are easier to scan for cheetahs. Early morning and late afternoon are best, because cheetahs hunt by day.

Watch the Cheetah

About the Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, a slim, long-legged cat built for speed. In a sprint it can reach about 100 km/h within a few seconds, and its dark tear lines, small head and spotted coat make it easy to tell from a leopard. In the Kruger National Park cheetahs live on open grassy plains, where they can see and chase prey.

Unlike other big cats, the cheetah hunts by day. It relies on its eyesight and speed, creeping close to a herd of impala or steenbok before sprinting, and tripping its prey with a swipe of the paw. A sprint only lasts around half a minute, and afterwards the cheetah must rest and catch its breath before it can eat. Lions, leopards and hyenas often steal its kills.

Mothers raise their cubs alone, and young cubs have a fluffy silver mane along their backs. On a guided drive, your field guide scans termite mounds and open ground in the cooler hours, and knows how to position the vehicle so you can watch a cheetah without disturbing it.