Playful Cheetah Cubs Captured in Heartwarming Safari Moments

Cheetahs are famous for being the fastest land animals, but even these little ones need a break now and then.

A heartwarming moment unfolded in Tanzania’s Ndutu Plains when a playful cheetah cub decided to hitch a ride on the back of its sibling while they frolicked in the dusty savanna.

The cubs, only ten weeks old, were practicing the running skills that would eventually allow them to reach up to 75 mph speeds.

Instead of racing on their paws, two mischievous cubs climbed onto their siblings’ backs, enjoying a playful piggyback ride.

These delightful moments were captured by wildlife photographer Paul Sounders, who blended into the tall grass to snap these close-up shots. The 51-year-old from Seattle had set out earlier this spring to capture the cubs’ playful antics.

“They were full of energy, darting in every direction,” said Paul. “One of the cubs kept trying to hop onto its sibling’s back while running at full speed. It was like a supercharged piggyback ride. Their balance and agility were incredible.”

Before the piggyback fun began, the cubs had spent time wrestling under their mother’s watchful eye in the dry grass.

The four cubs playfully bit each other’s fur and tumbled about, honing skills to help them survive in the wild.

“These cubs were at that perfect age, starting to explore their surroundings,” Paul explained. “Their games are part of their training.

You could see them mimicking what their mother had taught them—stalking, chasing, and playfully grabbing each other by the throat.”

Paul, a wildlife photographer for 25 years, counts Tanzania as one of his favorite places to work.

He spent three weeks camping in the wild, surrounded by the incredible diversity of animals the region is known for, from leopards to elephants.
“I’ve fallen in love with this place,” Paul shared.

“This was only my second time in Tanzania, but the experience of guiding myself through these landscapes is amazing. You do need to stay alert with so many wild animals around, but sitting quietly helps gain their trust. I like to blend in rather than move around like a tourist on a safari truck. That way, I can capture intimate moments like this.”