Posted June 6, 2025 in All
Update (25.06.25):
Since introducing both Duma and Tswalu to UmPhafa Nature Reserve, we are pleased to share that the pair are settling in well. On Wednesday 25th June 2025, both cheetah were allowed to meet for the first time!
With the removal of the internal gate, separating both bomas, and a little encouragement, Duma and Tswalu finally met! They then patrolled together before laying down within 2 metres of each other!
The long-awaited introduction of two new male cheetahs happened on 24th May 2025.
They both arrived after a long journey from different ends of the country – Duma arriving from the Ashia Cheetah Centre in the Western Cape, and Tswalu joining us from Tswalu Game Reserve from the Southern edge of the Kalahari.
Duma 
Tswalu
To put it into perspective, Duma was in his travelling crate for 14 hours and Tswalu for 12 hours – with precision timing the two cheetah met in Bloemfontein before travelling together to UmPhafa. They both did 1,948km (1,210 miles).
The organisation was all down to the Ashia Cheetah Centre and Cheetah Advisory Group part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, without the support of these two entities, UmPhafa would never have received their founding population of cheetah, and we can’t thank them enough!
The Future
The boys arrived at approx. 10pm and were released immediately into their respective bomas, they both had an impala snack waiting for them after their long drive.
They are both doing well and the plan is to eventually bond them, forming a male coalition that can traverse the Reserve together – this will take time but it is an exciting project for the UmPhafa team and the Interns that join us during this period.
