Cheetah cubs climbing acacia trees in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Spotting cheetahs. Spotting cheetahs in Tanzania

These cheetah cubs in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania might look like they are just playing but they are actually developing the skills they'll need to protect themselves and hunt for food. Cheetahs are born with all their spots, but at birth those spots are closer together, giving the cubs a darker appearance that helps them hide from predators. They also have a strip of long fur down the centre of their backs called a mantle, which helps them blend into the grass.

June is a good month for wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where it is the start of the dry season. As well as cheetahs, other animals are also on the prowl, including lions, hyenas, leopards and jackals.