The Cheetah hunt in Amboseli

 The trip to Kenya was full of special moments in 2024, this sighting of a cheetah hunt in Amboseli deserved its own David Attenborough voiceover. We first spotted the cheetah when she seemed on high alert, half-crouched in a stalking position. Following her gaze, we saw a herd of gazelles grazing about 300 meters away. That seemed like long distance to cover but this is the fastest land animal.  

She was perfectly camouflaged in the dry grass, but she also had to cross the plain beige of the mud track where we were parked—her spots would clearly stand out and risk blowing her cover. By now, as is often the case on safaris these days, all the other vehicles had been alerted, and a dozen of them were parked on either side of the line connecting the cheetah to her prey. For a moment, I thought the vehicles might distract her from the hunt, but if anything, they seemed to provide her with additional cover.

She took her time crossing the jeep track, but once on the other side, she had to act decisively. Like a coiled spring, she launched into her sprint. Two strides in, the gazelles had spotted her and had bolted into their own gallop. 

The hunter seemed to have the upper hand but at one point it seemed like she couldn't make up her mind between the two closest gazelles. That slight bit of indecision cost her the hunt.

Only as she made her way back did we notice how emaciated she looked, and the reason became apparent soon after. She let out a few high-pitched yelps in one direction. Moments later, a cub emerged—cautious at first but growing more confident as it spotted its mother. 

Moments later, a cub emerged—cautious at first but growing more confident as it spotted its mother. Then another appeared, followed by yet another, until five cubs were running out to greet her. 

They had a heartwarming reunion, nuzzling and caressing each other in reassurance.

With five mouths to feed there wasn't much time to waste and the mother was off again. 

I hope she found some luck later in the day, just as we had ours this morning.