Etosha holds a healthy population of cheetah, and the open grasslands of the western and central sections of the park are among the best places in Africa to see them. Cheetahs prefer short-grass plains where they can hunt with their speed, and Etosha's landscape suits them perfectly.
Unlike leopards, cheetahs are diurnal — they hunt in the early morning and late afternoon, which coincides precisely with the best game-drive hours. They are often seen resting on termite mounds or low hillocks, scanning the grassland for prey. A patient visitor working the roads between Okaukuejo and Halali in the early morning has a realistic chance of a sighting on any given day during the dry season.