CHEETAH KILL

My guests had arrived late and so we only left on game drive a short while before sunset. As I left the lodge I heard on the radio that a female cheetah and her two cubs had just been left unattended around the quarry. I decided to head straight that way so we could get a quick look before it was dark.

When we arrived the female got up and started moving. I explained to my guests that this is common behaviour for this time of day as she needs to find somewhere for herself and her cubs to sleep for the night. We followed her and as she reached the top of a hill she spotted some nyala below. Her stance changed as she listened and watched. She started running down the hill leaving the cubs some way behind her. We drove around quickly, hearing the nyala suddenly start alarming and rushing off. I switched off my engine and could hear bones being crunched.

We managed to find a small opening through the dense Tamboti thicket and could see as the female sat close looking around and panting after the kill and as the cubs ate frantically, their small faces covered in blood. What a start to an unforgettable safari.

Posted: Phinda by Felicity Swanepoel, Date: 27 July 2010