The cheetah inhabits mainly the Serengeti ecosystem, including Maasai Mara, and the Tsavo landscape.

[2] In 2007, the total number of cheetahs in East Africa were estimated at 1,960 to 2,572 adults and independent adolescents.

[4] Kenya is the main stronghold for the East African cheetah, with the largest population of 800 to 1,200 adults in the country since 2015.

[6] Formerly widespread in East Africa, the East African cheetah lost a high percent of ranges and has gone extinct in three countries; the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (the North Kivu province and the South Kivu province), Rwanda and Burundi.

[12] In 2005, the authors of Mammal Species of the World recognized A. j. raineyi and A. j. velox as valid taxa, and considered A. j. ngorongorensis synonymous with A. j.

[2] The earliest African cheetah fossils from the early Pleistocene have been found in the lower beds of the Olduvai Gorge site in northern Tanzania.

[15] East African cheetahs measure around 110–135 cm (43–53 in) in head-and-body length and weigh between 70 and 75 kg (154 and 165 lb).

A ticked (spotless) cheetah was shot in Tanzania in 1921, it had only a few very small spots on the neck and back.

[citation needed] The cheetah's range has the highest density mostly in between northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.

In 2015, it is estimated that between 800 and 1,200 adult cheetahs reside in Kenya, making the country the main stronghold for the vulnerable species in East Africa.

[5] There are rare sightings of cheetahs at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in the Katavi National Park from southwest Tanzania.

Instead, males choose the points at which several of the females' home ranges overlap, creating a much smaller space, which can be properly defended against intruders while maximizing the chance of reproduction.

Cheetah cub births mostly occurs during January to August in East Africa after 90 to 95 days of gestation.

Hunting is the major activity throughout the day; peaks are observed during dawn and dusk indicating crepuscular tendencies.

[22] Groups rest in grassy clearings after dusk, though males and juveniles often roam around at night.

In Kenya, cheetahs of the Masai Mara hunt after sunset to escape the high temperatures of the day.

Even a single cheetah are also known to chase jackals and African golden wolves away from their territory or their food.

Whipsnade Zoo features displays that inform visitors about ZSL's cheetah conservation project in Tanzania.