The Cheetah Hunt

Aditya Kavoor
Jul 25, 2017 · 2 min read

On our last day in Masai Mara, Kenya, our guide suddenly stopped and pointed to a bush and said

“There are Cheetahs in that bush”

I couldn’t see them. I wear glasses. And as much as I tried to spot, I couldn’t see a cheetah.

Our guide was insistent that they are there and we waited.

About 10 mins in, I saw a rustle and a cheetah popped his head out.

Well ok!!! Our guide was right. I should have learnt not to doubt him, after he had proven himself over he past week when it comes to spotting.

Slowly the cheetah came out of the bush and it staggered over to a small mound of mud, got on top, and from the slight elevation started looking around.

We didn’t need to be told he was looking for food.

He spotted a Gazelle and after stalking it for about 5mins, decided to attack.

If you see a Cheetah sprint, you’ll understand what speed is. The Cheetah covered the ~600m to the Gazelle in an eye blink.

The Gazelle on the other hand spotted the Cheetah quite early on, and after about 5 mins of evading managed to escape.

I guess he’ll have to go hungry for just a while longer.

And in the bush, like our guide said, were three more Cheetahs. His brothers.

Fun fact : a group of Cheetahs is called a “Coalition”

Follow my Instagram account @adityakavoor

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