The Hunt We Didn’t Expect – Londolozi Blog

Just over a week ago, a few of us guides and trackers set out from Varty Camp with a shared sense of anticipation hanging in the air. A much-anticipated incoming tropical storm was looming over the remaining days of our group guests’ stay. With this knowledge, we decided that this particular afternoon might be our only chance to explore the southwestern open grasslands of Londolozi before they transform with the rain and are inaccessible.

There was a quiet, collective hope across all three vehicles: could we find a cheetah? At Londolozi, finding one often feels like stumbling upon a needle in a haystack, so a recent update from our neighbours to the west was more than enough to send us along the boundary road with optimism and patience.

It soon felt as if the universe was conspiring in our favour. Not long after starting our search, Kirst Joscelyne radioed to say she had spotted a male cheetah walking across the boundary onto our property! As we approached, he had climbed onto a termite mound and lay there scanning the grasslands. The wind was whipping around him, gloomy clouds framing the horizon, and the smell of rain was heavy in the air. And in the distance, a great dazzle of zebra, close to a hundred strong, grazed uneasily…

When the cheetah stood up with intent, everything shifted. His focus was unmistakable: he’d spotted one of the many foals scattered among the herd. We watched as he glided through the grass, only his head visible, time stretching and compressing all at once. And then, suddenly, he was gone!

The grassland erupted! Black and white stripes scattered in every direction as we raced along, trying to keep up. His first attempt failed, but the herd split, and suddenly a second opportunity presented itself again. A pause. A breath. And then another explosive burst of speed.

We lost sight of him briefly, but we all knew. When the call came, “He’s done it!”, the energy on the vehicle was electric. There he lay, hidden in the grass, the hunt complete.

Success! The Male cheetah scans his surroundings (ensuring no lurking hyena or other predators) after successfully catching a zebra foal.

It was raw, intense, unforgettable. A moment that reminded us of nature at its wildest – and how incredibly privileged we are to witness these fleeting, powerful stories unfold.

Ranger Kirst Joscelyne managed to capture our vehicle and the male cheetah only moments after it had successfully caught its next meal!

In the rush of it all, my camera barely left its bag. Thankfully, thanks to our guests, the video below captures the essence of what we were lucky enough to experience.

Enjoy!

Video credit: Kate Tennick, Reece Biehler & guest, Daniel Fiser