Introducing the newest members of Mkuze Falls Game Reserve‘s cheetah family! 🐆👶🏽 The resident female recently gave birth to three cute cheetah cubs, and I was lucky enough to be the first to catch them on camera.
The Sighting
Driving with guide Sandile Mvubu – we found the little family sitting in the long grass near a retired reservoir. The cubs were hesitant about our presence at first, but their mother walked up to rest in the shade of our safari vehicle and coaxed her little ones to come join her… giving us a close up view of some very inquisitive young eyes and some loving family grooming.
Mkuze Falls Game Reserve
Mkuze Falls Game Reserve is located in the heart of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is a pristine wilderness area that offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the wild heart of Africa. The reserve covers over 15,000 hectares of varied landscape, including riverine forest, open savannah, and rugged mountain ranges. It is also home to an impressive array of wildlife, including the iconic Big Five, as well as over 420 bird species.
The History of Mkuze Cheetah
In 2021, the only cheetah at Mkuze Falls were the two resident males. That year however, the reserve introduced its first female. During my first drive through the reserve, I encountered the male coalition and spent a brief period observing them loaf about in the late afternoon. However, we had to swiftly make our way back to the campsite as a menacing electrical storm loomed overhead.
In August 2022, the female cheetah was seen together with the males for the first time, but they soon went their separate ways. The Anti-Poaching team kept a close eye on the female and recently reported the presence of cubs, now confirmed with photographic evidence. The cute cheetah cubs are believed to have been born in mid-February. It is exciting news for the reserve as their big cat population grows. We are looking forward to seeing more of the cheetah family as they thrive in the Mkuze Falls Game Reserve.
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