South Africa Reserve Offers Rare Chance to Walk With Cheetahs

At South Africa’s Samara Karoo Reserve, visitors have a unique opportunity to walk alongside wild cheetahs, a privilege made possible by decades of dedicated conservation efforts. This approach is part of a growing trend in ecotourism, where travelers seek more immersive and educational experiences beyond traditional game drives.

The ability to be on foot with cheetahs stems from the habituation of the animals, a process that began with a cheetah named Sibella. Rescued and rehabilitated by the De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust after surviving a hunting attack, Sibella was released onto the reserve in 2004. Despite her past trauma, she exhibited an unusual calmness around humans. This allowed reserve staff to accompany her, and later her offspring, on foot. This legacy continues today, with subsequent generations of cheetahs at Samara accustomed to human presence at a respectful distance.

Sarah Tompkins, founder and director of Samara Karoo Reserve, noted the unusual nature of Sibella’s behavior, stating that given her history, she should have been fearful of humans but instead allowed them into her space. This has allowed Samara to become a leader in rewilding the Great Karoo region and a prime location for photographing cheetahs.

Beyond cheetah tracking, the reserve offers the Cheetah Trail, a three-night walking experience. These activities aim to educate guests about the challenges facing cheetahs, of which fewer than 7,000 adults remain in the wild. Tamsyn Fricker, co-founder of Travel Artistry Africa, highlighted the increasing traveler interest in active safaris and learning about conservation. She also cautioned that legitimate operators prioritize animal welfare and do not guarantee direct interactions, emphasizing the need for guides with specialized training.

Several other reserves offer opportunities for guests to connect with wildlife on foot.

Rhino Tracking in South Africa

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape is a hub for black rhino conservation. Visitors can track both black and white rhinos on foot from a safe distance. The reserve also offers a specialized Rhino Conservation Safari, where guests can observe ecological teams and veterinarians collecting data and fitting young rhinos with tracking collars.

Elephant Encounters in Zimbabwe

In Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, African Bush Camps’ Somalisa Camp provides opportunities to walk with elephants. Head guide Calvet Nkomo, with over 30 years of experience, guides guests, sharing his extensive knowledge of the park’s elephant population.

![An elephant walks along a dirt path past a sign that reads "Tent 1,2,3" in a dry, wooded area.]( "An elephant walks along a dirt path past a sign that reads "Tent 1,2,3" in a dry, wooded area.")

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers treks with mountain gorillas. Inge Kotze, head of conservation at Singita, described the experience of looking into a gorilla’s eyes as profound. Mountain gorillas, once critically endangered, have seen their population increase to nearly 1,100, making it an ecotourism success story. Singita's Kwitonda Lodge is located nearby.