Cheetah vs Leopard: What’s the Difference?

May 7, 2025
ABS, Africa travel

Cheetah vs Leopard: Key Differences & Safari Identification Guide

Difference between cheetah and leopard – Learn how to tell the difference between cheetahs and leopards on safari. Compare build, spots, behavior, speed, and more in this expert wildlife guide.

Learn how to tell the difference between cheetahs and leopards on safari. Compare build, spots, behavior, speed, and more in this expert wildlife guide.

How to Tell These Two African Big Cats Apart on Safari

Cheetah vs Leopard – Could you tell the difference between a cheetah and a leopard while on an African safari? For many first-time safari-goers, it’s not as easy as it sounds. At a quick glance, these two African big cats can look deceptively similar—especially when you’re watching from a distance on a game drive.

But don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll break down the tell-tale signs that help you confidently identify whether you’re looking at a cheetah or a leopard in the African bush. From body structure and eye markings to spots, speed, and behavior, we’ll teach you how to tell these magnificent predators apart—and where to find them.

Build and Body Size: Slender vs Stocky

One of the most noticeable differences between cheetahs and leopards is their build. Cheetahs are designed for speed. They have a tall, slim, and aerodynamic frame with a small, rounded head and long legs. Their lightweight body is built for sprinting across open plains.

Leopards, in contrast, are compact, muscular, and more powerfully built. They have shorter legs, larger heads, and thick shoulders—adaptations that allow them to carry prey up into trees. Leopards may be slightly smaller in height, but they’re heavier and stockier than cheetahs, making them Africa’s best climbers among the big cats.

Eyes and Tear Lines

If you want the fastest way to tell a cheetah from a leopard, look at the eyes and face markings. Cheetahs have prominent black “tear marks” that run from the inner corners of their eyes down to the sides of their mouth. These lines help reflect sunlight and reduce glare—perfect for hunting during the day.

Leopards lack these distinctive markings. Their faces are covered in smaller rosette spots and have a more golden tone. Leopard eyes are typically green or pale yellow, while cheetah eyes are often amber. Also, leopards have slightly larger pupils adapted for nocturnal hunting.

This makes cheetahs more suited to daylight pursuits, while leopards rely on stealth and darkness.

Tip: When in doubt, look for the “tear tracks”—only cheetahs have them!

Spots: Solid Dots vs Rosettes

One of the most well-known differences between the two cats lies in their coat patterns. But it’s also one of the easiest to misinterpret unless you look closely:

Cheetah spots are solid black and round, scattered evenly across their tawny coats. Their patterns are more uniform and dappled.
Leopard spots form complex rosettes—a circular cluster of spots with a darker outline and a paler center, resembling a rose. These are especially prominent on the body and sides.

Interestingly, the density of the spots also differs. Leopards tend to have more densely packed markings, while cheetahs have a cleaner, more open coat. The face is a good place to look—cheetahs have very few spots there, while leopards have many small markings across the muzzle and forehead.

Both cats are perfectly camouflaged for their environment, whether stalking prey on the savanna or resting in the bush. To spot them in the wild, join a guided safari in a private reserve like Sabi Sands or Masai Mara, where experienced guides know the best big cat hotspots.

Habits and Habitat Preferences

Though they share overlapping territories in many parts of Africa, cheetahs and leopards behave very differently:

Cheetahs prefer open grasslands and savannas, where they can chase prey like impalas or gazelles at top speed. They are largely diurnal, hunting during daylight hours.
Leopards favor woodlands, rocky areas, and riverine forests. They are mostly nocturnal and ambush predators, relying on stealth rather than speed.

On a Kenya safari in the Masai Mara, you might spot cheetahs on the move during midday, while leopards often reveal themselves at dawn or dusk, lounging in the branches of acacia trees. In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, expert trackers can help you spot these elusive predators, especially in mixed terrain.

If you’re serious about seeing both in the wild, we recommend our 7-Day Big Cat Safari in Botswana or a 4-Day Masai Mara Tour—both designed for thrilling predator sightings with knowledgeable local guides.

Speed and Hunting Tactics

This is where cheetahs dominate. Known as the fastest land animals on Earth, cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) in short bursts of 20–30 seconds. They are equipped with elongated limbs, a flexible spine, and large nostrils for oxygen intake.

By contrast, leopards are much slower runners, with top speeds of around 60 km/h (37 mph). However, they make up for it with superior strength and climbing ability. A leopard can hoist a carcass twice its own body weight into a tree—something a cheetah could never do.

Cheetahs rely on chase and kill, while leopards prefer to stalk and ambush, using cover and surprise to their advantage.

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Who Would Win a Fight: Cheetah vs Leopard?

It’s a popular safari question: if a cheetah and a leopard fought, who would win? The answer is clear—leopards have the upper hand.

While cheetahs are faster and more agile, they are built for speed, not strength. Leopards, on the other hand, are powerful and muscular with strong jaws, sharp claws, and excellent grip. They can take down large prey, drag carcasses into trees, and fiercely defend their kills.

Cheetahs would almost always choose flight over fight. In fact, they often retreat when challenged by larger predators, including leopards, lions, and hyenas. When a direct encounter occurs, the cheetah’s best defense is to run away—a strategy that usually works thanks to their superior speed.

But what about predation? While neither cat regularly hunts the other, on rare occasions:

Leopards may prey on cheetah cubs, especially when left unattended by their mothers.
Cheetahs may kill leopard cubs to reduce future competition, though such events are also uncommon.

These interactions are part of the natural competition between predators in the African ecosystem, but actual fights are rare and typically avoided by both species.

In Fashion: Leopard Print vs Cheetah Print

Beyond the bush, the influence of these two big cats is found in fashion. Leopard and cheetah prints are iconic design elements, but few people know the visual differences between them.

Leopard print consists of rosette-shaped patterns—dark circles with a lighter brown center. It’s bold, dramatic, and often found in luxury fashion collections.
Cheetah print is made of solid black spots on a golden-yellow background. It’s sleek, subtle, and frequently used for sporty or chic looks.

Leopard print typically has a warmer tone and more complex pattern, while cheetah print is cleaner and more minimal. Both are popular choices in everything from coats and dresses to bags and shoes.

Safari Style Tip: Animal prints may be stylish, but they’re not always safari-appropriate. In some parks, wearing prints is discouraged because it can confuse or agitate wildlife.

Best Places to See Cheetahs and Leopards in the Wild

If you’re dreaming of spotting both cheetahs and leopards on a single trip, you’re in luck. There are several safari destinations in Africa where you can see both species in one reserve:

Masai Mara, Kenya: Prime cheetah territory, with leopards often found near rivers and forests.
Sabi Sands, South Africa: Known for frequent leopard sightings; cheetahs also occur but less commonly.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: Great for tracking both species with skilled guides.
Serengeti, Tanzania: Open plains perfect for cheetahs; leopards hide in woodlands and kopjes.

For a truly immersive experience, consider a multi-day safari that includes guided game drives, walking safaris, and expert tracking. Our 4-Day Namibia Cheetah Tracking Safari offers hands-on conservation experiences, while the 7-Day Big Cat Explorer in Kenya provides some of Africa’s most thrilling predator sightings.

Spotting the Difference: Quick Recap

Here’s a handy breakdown to help you quickly tell the difference between a cheetah and a leopard on safari:

Feature	Cheetah	Leopard
Build	Slender, long legs, small head	Stocky, muscular, large head
Face	Has black “tear lines”	No tear lines, more facial spots
Spots	Solid black dots	Rosette-shaped patterns
Speed	Fastest land animal (up to 120 km/h)	Slower, but stronger and better climber
Activity	Diurnal (hunts during the day)	Nocturnal (hunts at night)
Habitat	Grasslands and open plains	Wooded areas, rocky terrain

Ready to test your ID skills in the wild? Join a safari tour and see if you can spot the difference firsthand. Our travel experts will guide you to the best parks and seasons for unforgettable big cat sightings.