We know the stereotypes: Leopards climb trees easily, lions kind of can, but they don’t like it and they are not good at it, and cheetahs never climb trees (their long legs are suitable for speedy running but not for climbing, unlike the leopard’s body shape).

Well, this is almost always true, but exceptions confirm the rule. Also cheetahs climb trees, but it is a super rare thing to see.

This Cheetah was spotted in the Muruti part of the reserve two days ago – the one male jumped in a low lying Marula tree, looked around a bit then jumped off again and joined his brother in the tall grass. All of this happened right in front of our guests, everyone was speechless.

A sighting like this is like finding a precious gem stone in your garden. It isn’t supposed to happen, and both our ranger and our guests will never forget this unique moment.

If one considers that only about 300 cheetahs are resident in the wild in South Africa, such as on our reserve, in a country twice the size of France, then one can only begin to imagine what a privilege it is to witness such beautiful moments. What an animal, what beauty. There are many types of cats, but cheetahs are a very special kind and the very rarest of them all, and I would say it is difficult to see them anywhere more regularly and close-up than here at the Vuyani Safari Lodge.

Enjoy the photos, it is unlikely any of our fans will ever have seen such footage!