Super mom and her cubs
Cheetahs in Kruger
South Africa is home to a wide range of captivating animals, but my (Jacobine’s) absolute favourite has to be the cheetah. This magnificent creature is renowned as the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 98 km/h! Not only is it a thrill to spot one in the wild, but the fact that they pose no threat to humans only adds to their allure.
Female cheetahs face a monumental task in raising their cubs on their own. It's quite a feat for a mother to successfully raise more than two cubs at a time, as she must protect them from predators and ensure they have enough food to survive. That's why the cheetah mom we saw in October 2021 near Crocodile Bridge, Kruger National Park was so special. Not only did she have more than two cubs, but she managed to raise and protect all three of them until they were big enough to venture out on their own. She truly deserved the title "super mom".
Looking for super mom
Crocodile Bridge area in Kruger National Park is a perfect habitat for cheetahs, with long stretches of open plains and plenty of termite mounds for them to climb on and survey their surroundings. It was in this area that we spotted super mom, albeit briefly the first time. We had to leave the sighting quickly as the camp gates were closing, but we hoped for another opportunity.
The next day was a dream come true. We were the first out of the gates and immediately headed for the area where we had last seen the mom and her cubs. We were thrilled to find them further down the road, lounging on and around a large termite mound. One of the cubs even climbed a sloping tree for a better view, while the others played and explored their surroundings. While playing, one of them got up on its back feet, holding on to a short tree trunk. Wow!
The lighting was perfect, with the rising sun casting a warm red glow that made for a stunning setting. We had the best position to watch the animals in action, and we spent several hours marveling at their beauty and energy. It was yet another unforgettable experience in the midst of God's wonderful creation!
Super mom and her cubs
Looking for a better view
Cheetah cub playing
