Bucket list experience: Get up close with cheetahs at the National Zoo

As the heavy security gate swings open and we step into the habitat of the world’s fastest land animal, a part of me expects a swift, unpredictable reaction. The cheetah is one of the “big cats”, after all, a creature defined by explosive agility and speed.

Now, we’re on its home turf. The zookeeper’s instructions to stay close and keep our movements slow and measured while these predators roam unrestrained only adds to the surge of adrenaline.

That initial fear, however, quickly melts away in the early morning sunshine.

As we cautiously approach one of the three full-grown brothers who reside at the National Zoo & Aquarium, he barely stirs.

Instead, a deep, rumbling purr vibrates through the air as we crouch low to run our hands along the spine of his tawny, spotted coat. 

This remarkable encounter is possible through the zoo’s Complete Cheetah Experience, which offers the rarefied opportunity to get closer than you could ever imagine to these formidable hunters.

For 30 minutes, visitors interact with the cheetahs alongside the keepers responsible for their daily care, training and enrichment.

And you quickly learn that one of the reasons these are such “good boys” is intrinsically linked to the bigger picture: the funds raised from animal encounters, general admissions, Jamala stays and zoo tours financially local and global conservation, including wild cheetah populations.

The urgency of this mission is something Cheetah Team Leader Leah Carnegie is passionate about. 

“Unfortunately, they’re the fastest disappearing big cat in Africa,” she says. “There are fewer than 7000 now in the wild, which is down from an estimated 80,000.”

The main threats are habitat loss, poaching and trafficking, and human-wildlife conflict.

“Cheetahs are more active during the day to avoid bigger predators at night,” Carnegie explains. “But this pushes them closer to farms, and they often catch the blame from farmers who may wake to find livestock losses.”

But amidst this reality, there is a heartening story. During the encounter, we learnt about the Livestock Guarding Dog program run by the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a non-lethal solution that’s proving hugely successful.

The program leases a specially trained Anatolian shepherd dog to a farmer free of charge. These intelligent dogs bond with the herds, and their loud, intimidating barks are enough to deter predators. It’s a simple but effective solution that supports both wildlife and farming communities.

“This is one of the first things we tell our guests,” Carnegie says. “So, they know where their money is going and they can share the awareness with others.” 

If you’re wondering what it’s really like to sit beside a cheetah, I can tell you this: it’s exhilarating, humbling and unforgettable. To spend time up close with one of nature’s most majestic cats is a profound privilege. The trust built between the keepers and the animals is palpable, and your safety is always front of mind.

As Carnegie notes, “You never forget that first time you enter the other side of the mesh with them, it’s a surreal feeling and always on the animal’s terms.”

For anyone with a love of big cats or an interest in conservation, the Complete Cheetah Experience is not only a bucket-list item but a meaningful way to help ensure these incredible animals continue to run wild for generations to come.

Best of all, it’s an experience that’s unique to Canberra – a one-of-a-kind opportunity you won’t find anywhere else in Australia – that makes a positive and lasting impact on the cheetah’s survival rates. 

Win a cheetah encounter!

To celebrate the 25th birthday of Allhomes and the 10th anniversary of Jamala Wildlife Lodge, you have the chance to win a double pass for a Complete Cheetah Experience!

Join the keepers at Canberra’s National Zoo & Aquarium on a training session before entering the enclosure to meet the cheetahs and learn more about these amazing animals.

Visit allhomes.com.au/community page to enter. Competition entries close 11.59pm on September 29, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.