Greg Mc Call Peat - August 2025
A Moment That Changed Everything
We’d been keeping a close eye on Sanyati for a while. Her belly was heavy with cubs, and on some days, if she lay just right, we could actually see them moving inside her. A sight like that stays with you, it’s the kind of quiet miracle that tells you something special is on its way.
Discovery in the Swamps
A couple of weeks passed, and then one crisp morning Trev noticed something he’d never seen before: steam rising from a patch of long grass in the swamps. It was subtle but unmistakable, and in that moment, he just knew she had denned. That little patch of earth, breathing mist into the cold morning air, suddenly became sacred ground. Winters here often det into the minus’s and our cheetahs have adapted to the cold winters by growing a winter coat for extra warmth and heat retention. This means that the little ones will more than cope with the frosty mornings and cold winter nights snuggled up with mom.
Steam rising from a patch of long grass in the swamps
Mutual understanding and respect
We would always go and check the “steam patch” in the hope of seeing her. One morning, the steam was gone. My heart sank slightly, wondering if she’d moved the cubs. Then, out of the silence, I saw her. Sanyati sitting just a few meters from me. Calm. Present. I stepped quietly out of the car, letting her see it was just me. We sat together for about twenty minutes in complete stillness. No rush. No noise. Just a deep, mutual understanding.
Then, as if something had clicked, she stood and headed off. I followed from a respectful 50 meters back as she moved toward the bush line. She paused. I slowly made my way up to her. She got up and walked again, this time into the denser cover. I followed until she lay down and gave a soft, almost whisper-like call. And then…calls came back.
Young cheetah cub hiding in tall grass
Trust & Acceptance
The den site was like nothing I’d ever seen. Tall bunches of long grass had folded over naturally, creating a network of hidden tunnels. I dropped to my belly and peered down one. And there they were.
Three tiny cheetah cubs, huddled in the tunnel, eyes locked on mine. I only saw flashes, little heads, a paw here and there, but I was completely overwhelmed. I spent about 30 minutes with them, not needing more than that. What mattered most was how calm Sanyati was with me there. That trust, her acceptance of my presence around her cubs meant everything. That’s how the bond starts. It’s how we’re allowed into their world.
Adorable cheetah cub resting
A Raw Privilege
I left the sighting buzzing with emotion. This kind of access, this kind of raw privilege, is rare. Very few people will ever experience that kind of intimacy with wild cheetah cubs in their first weeks of life.
An Unforgettable Encounter
Later that morning, Trev joined me on drive and, unbelievably, we found Sanyati again. This time she was heading back to the den. I hung back and let Trev follow her while I observed from a distance. Then Luena, Sanyati’s sister, appeared and started following as well. So I decided to follow her. As we got closer, Luena paused. She clearly heard Sanyati calling her cubs and just stood still, watching. Then, from the bushes, one of the cubs came bursting out to greet Mom, right in front of Trev. It was one of those frozen-in-time moments that’ll stay with him forever.
Sanyati moved just into the grass line and lay down. Luena turned and left in the opposite direction. I decided to slowly go and join Trev, and the two of us sat quietly with Sanyati and the cubs. Two magical moments in one morning. That was enough. We didn’t want to push our luck. When nature gives you a gift like that, the best thing you can do is honor it and step away.
Two young cheetah cubs sitting together in tall grass
The Ground was Littered with Tracks
These experiences only come from time spent. Hours and hours in the field. Respect earns trust, and trust opens doors to moments like these.
Two weeks later I was due for leave. It was torture. I knew Sanyati would soon start bringing the cubs out, and the thought of missing that moment sat heavy in my chest. Still, I went. Took a bit of time. But the minute I returned, I was itching to find her again.
First morning back, I left just after sunrise. I found Luena on a kill near the swamp, a promising sign. Sanyati often links up with her sister at kills, so I scanned the swamp area with binoculars. Nothing.
I sat for half an hour on a big termite mound before deciding to head back to Luena. As I stood up, I saw it … just for a second, the silhouette of a cheetah disappearing into the grass. I had to check. Into the swamp I walked. As I got closer, I noticed the ground was littered with tracks. Then I saw her.
Two cheetah cubs standing beside a mound in golden grasslands
Curious Little Stares
Sanyati emerged cautiously from the grass, approaching me with careful steps. I immediately sat down and started talking gently, reassuring her it was just me. Then, in an instant, the cubs came flying past her and straight toward me. Pure, uninhibited joy. My arms had goosebumps. Sanyati walked up, calm as ever. I gently reassured her again that it was ok and just me and she lay down next to me.
I spent over an hour with them. The cubs explored the world, always returning to mom, but circling around me with curious little stares. It was their first real interaction with a human. To be that human is something I’ll never forget. In all my 25 years in the bush, this moment takes the top spot.
Cheetah cub resting on a mound
Sanyati moves the Cubs out of the Den
This is what makes Kishindo’s cheetah project so special. It’s the result of years of dedication, trust-building, and doing things the right way. Moments like this don’t just happen, they’re earned.
Later that day, I found Sanyati again, moving the cubs toward the rocky ridgeline that cuts through the cheetah area. It’s the perfect next step: rocks, crevices, cover, and excellent visibility for hunting. They’re entering a new chapter now, mobile, curious, and stronger by the day.
Having cheetah cubs around adds a whole new energy to the area. A crackle in the air. Every track, every chirp, every rustle might be them. And I, for one, can’t wait to spend more time with this special little family.
Sanyati with her cubs in golden grasslands
Here’s to the wild moments, the quiet trust, the unexpected reunions, and the joy of being accepted, even just for a little while, into their world.
-Greg Mc Call Peat
