I had all but written off hope of seeing the solitary, elusive cheetah on this trip when we pulled up to one resting in the shade beside a grassy knoll in the Moremi Game Reserve of the Okavango Delta.

Cheetah face close up Cheetah face close up

At times on this trip we’ve been the first to encounter a big cat (or cats). Other times we are relying on the guide network and converging with one or more safari vehicles on a sighting. This was one of those cases.

We’ve seen so many lions here in Moremi that we assumed we would get to see more (that would be great) but then our guide turned through the rear window and said “It’s a cheetah!”.

Cheetah relaxing in grass Cheetah relaxing in grass

They have a lifestyle and hunting pattern similar to a leopard, but are more rare and harder to spot. Ken and Tenya are on their third trip to Africa and this was their first encounter like this. Many cheetahs have been collared because of their status, but this one was without adornment and looked to be relaxing but likely ready to eat.

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