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My brother and sister had a brief holiday in Kruger a week ago. On the short dirt road from Tamboti Tented Camp to the H7 tar road, they came across 6 male cheetah together! Unfortunately they could not take any photos as the camera was already packed away (they were busy driving out of the park).

Does anyone have more info on this coalition? Of course the area around Orpen has a lot of short sweet grass plains so I am wondering if this coalition is perhaps linked to optimized hunting of the large amount of blue wildebeest that frequent this area?

Ha ha. A packed camera guarantees great sightings.

What a sighting! As you say, the area around Orpen is great cheetah country.

Normally, any brothers of a litter will stay together, but 6 is exceptional!

I wonder if it is 'unnatural' or was there an amazing mother.

I think its probably some unrelated males joining up with a couple of siblings. I don't know if a litter of 6 cubs would survive in a high-density predator area such as Kruger. But you never know...

Usually females are solitary.

I wonder if it could be a mum and a 5 soon-to-leave litter?

Dear Ifubesi

I spoke to the Section Ranger in that area who also agreed that he once saw them. He is of the opinion that it is a mother with five nearly full grown cubs.

An amazing sighting!

That is excellent news
Happy hunting, lads

Please can someone arrange for them to still be there in November, when we pass through!!!

Thanks for the update StephensL! I will pass on the info to my family who saw them. It would be interesting to hear what happens to all the cubs. But it surely must be a remarkable mother cheetah to raise 5 cubs in that area!

I think it is remarkable in ANY area.

Wow, it's awesome. Must be a wonderful sight.

There are reported sightings of a 6 cheetah coalition near Croc Bridge . I saw a mother and 5 cubs (approx 3 months old) near Bangu windmill last week .

Looks like conditions are favourable for large cheetah litters.

Super Mommy.