Cheetah Tracking in the Serengeti

Cheetah tracking in the Serengeti is a highlight for many safari-goers, as the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is considered one of the best places in Africa to see these magnificent big cats. Unlike some other carnivores, cheetahs are primarily diurnal (active during the day), making them excellent subjects for daytime viewing.

However, it’s important to clarify what “cheetah tracking” means in the context of a Serengeti safari:

What “Cheetah Tracking” Entails on a Serengeti Safari

On a typical safari, “tracking” usually refers to the process your safari guide employs to locate animals. For cheetahs, this involves:

Spotting: Cheetahs prefer open grasslands and savannahs, as their hunting strategy relies on speed. Guides often look for them perched on termite mounds or other elevated positions, scanning the plains for prey. Their distinctive black “tear marks” and slender build also help them stand out.
Radio Calls/Communication: Guides communicate with each other via radio to share information about sightings. This is common practice across the Serengeti and significantly increases your chances of spotting elusive animals.
Knowing Habits and Territories: Experienced guides spend countless hours in the park and often have a good understanding of where certain cheetahs or coalitions (male groups) tend to frequent.
Following Tracks (less common for tourists): While guides are adept at reading tracks, active “tracking” on foot (like one might do for gorillas or rhinos in specific areas) is not a tourist activity in the Serengeti. All game drives are done from the safari vehicle.

You won’t be disembarking your vehicle to follow cheetah tracks on foot, but your guide will be doing the “tracking” for you from the vehicle to find them.

Why the Serengeti is Excellent for Cheetah Sightings

Ideal Habitat: The vast, open plains of the Serengeti, particularly the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu (which is technically part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but adjacent to the Serengeti), provide the perfect hunting grounds for cheetahs. They need large, unobstructed spaces to reach their incredible speeds.
Abundant Prey: The plains are teeming with gazelles (Thomson’s and Grant’s), impalas, wildebeest calves, and other small to medium-sized antelopes, which are the cheetah’s preferred prey.
Population Density: The Serengeti ecosystem supports one of the largest cheetah populations in Africa. Estimates suggest around 1,500 to 2,000 cheetahs reside in the wider Serengeti ecosystem.
Relaxed Around Vehicles: Serengeti cheetahs are generally quite accustomed to safari vehicles, allowing for close and prolonged observations without disturbing their natural behavior. This is crucial for photography.

Best Areas and Times for Cheetah Sightings

Southern Serengeti / Ndutu (December to March): This is often considered the prime time and location. During the short rains and the subsequent green season, the wildebeest migration is in the southern plains for calving. The abundance of vulnerable young wildebeest and zebra attracts a high density of predators, including cheetahs. The short grass also offers excellent visibility.
Eastern Serengeti (Namiri Plains): This area is increasingly known for excellent cheetah sightings, often with fewer vehicles. It features vast open grasslands preferred by cheetahs.
Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley): While famous for its high concentration of all big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs), the Seronera Valley, with its riverine forests and open plains, also offers good chances to spot cheetahs year-round.

What to Expect During a Cheetah Sighting

Hunting Displays: If you’re lucky, you might witness a cheetah hunt, which is an incredibly thrilling and dramatic sight. They often use termite mounds as vantage points before launching their high-speed pursuits.
Cubs: Seeing a female cheetah with her cubs is a special treat. Cheetah mothers work tirelessly to raise their young in a challenging environment.
Resting/Observing: More often, you’ll find cheetahs resting in the shade of an acacia tree or on a termite mound, patiently scanning the horizon for prey. These moments offer fantastic photographic opportunities.
Elusiveness: While the Serengeti has a good population, cheetahs are still relatively shy and less common than lions. Sightings are never guaranteed, which makes each one all the more special.

To maximize your chances of “cheetah tracking” (i.e., finding cheetahs), it’s essential to have an experienced and knowledgeable safari guide who understands cheetah behavior, knows their preferred habitats, and communicates effectively with other guides in the park.