Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/cheetah/ Species photography guide # Cheetah Photography Holidays *Acinonyx jubatus* Explore our Cheetah photography holidays in [South Africa](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/south-africa/) & [Kenya](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/kenya/), shaped around patient, repeatable field sessions with this species during the dry season (June to October) in East and Southern Africa.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/cheetah/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/cheetah/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/cheetah/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/cheetah/#nl-species-related) ![Cheetah photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/An-African-Leopard-walking-within-Karongwe-Game-Reserve.jpg) ## At a glance Trips2 associated holidays Where[Kenya](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/kenya/) & [South Africa](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/south-africa/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) & [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) Species profile ## About this species The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h in short bursts. It is a slender, long-legged big cat distinguished by its distinctive black tear-streak markings running from the inner corners of its eyes down to its mouth. Found primarily across sub-Saharan Africa & parts of Iran, the cheetah relies on open grasslands & savannahs to hunt prey such as gazelles & impalas. **Habitat** Open grasslands, savannahs, scrublands & semi-arid plains, primarily across sub-Saharan Africa with a small population in Iran. Cheetahs favour areas with tall grasses & scattered trees that provide cover for stalking prey. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Cheetah with us in [Kenya](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/kenya/) & [South Africa](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/south-africa/). These departures are part of our [Africa](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/africa/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) & [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Early morning & late afternoon during the dry season (June to October) in East & Southern Africa, when prey is concentrated around water sources & cheetahs are most active in their hunting behaviour. **Approach** Position yourself low to the ground to capture eye-level shots that create a more intimate & dramatic composition. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the action during a hunt or sprint, ensuring sharp images of this swift predator. Scout open savannah areas at dawn & dusk when cheetahs are most active, & be patient near termite mounds or elevated spots where they often rest & survey their territory. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [African Elephant](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-elephant/)[African Leopard](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-leopard/)[African Lion](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-lion/)[Hippopotamus](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/hippopotamus/)[African Buffalo](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-buffalo/)[African Civet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-civet/)[African Wild Dog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/african-wild-dog/)[Black Rhinoceros](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-rhinoceros/)[Blue Wildebeest](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-wildebeest/)[Genet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/genet/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Cheetah The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Cheetah in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Big Five & other African Wildlife of Karongwe](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/An-African-Leopard-walking-within-Karongwe-Game-Reserve.jpg) #### Related holiday Big Five & other African Wildlife of Karongwe gives guests time in Kenya & South Africa where Cheetah can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/south-africa/african-wildlife-of-karongwe/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Cheetah is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Cheetah in Kenya & South Africa. During our photography holidays, the Cheetah is often photographed alongside African Elephant, African Leopard, African Lion, Hippopotamus, African Buffalo, & African Civet. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Single occupancy Maximum 6 guests Experienced guidance 2 departures - [![View Details Of The Big Five & other African Wildlife of Karongwe Photography Safari](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/An-African-Leopard-walking-within-Karongwe-Game-Reserve.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/south-africa/african-wildlife-of-karongwe/) Limited Places ### 16th - 22nd Sep 2028 - Big Five & other African Wildlife of Karongwe **Location:** South Africa Karongwe Game Reserve delivers close, unhurried access to African lion, African leopard & African elephant against a backdrop of dense bushveld & rocky hillside. This seven-day trip is built around consistent vehicle-based & hide-based sessions, timed to the reserve's dawn & dusk activity, for photographers who want repeat encounters rather than a single pass. **6 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£6999** Guided By **David & Pui Hang Miles** [View Big Five & other African Wildlife of Karongwe](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/south-africa/african-wildlife-of-karongwe/) - [![Join Us For The African Wildlife of the Maasai Mara Photography Safari](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/a-lion-silhouetted-by-the-rising-sun-behind-photographed-during-a-natureslens-photography-holiday-to-photograph-the-wildlife-of-the-maasai-mara-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/kenya/maasai-mara-2028/) ### 15th - 22nd Oct 2028 - African Wildlife of the Maasai Mara **Location:** Kenya Travel to Kenya with us for a photography holiday in Kenya, October 2028, focused on cats & the other wildlife of the Maasai Mara that lives on the savannah. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£6499** Guided By **Pui Hang Miles** [View African Wildlife of the Maasai Mara](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/kenya/maasai-mara-2028/) -