Tano Bora Cheetahs In The Masai Mara
The Tano Bora cheetahs became the most famous big cats in the Masai Mara. At the end of 2016, five young male cheetahs slipped out of the Naboisho conservancy and walked into the Masai Mara National Reserve. Nobody could have guessed what they would become.
Cheetahs are loners by nature, and a group of five was highly unusual. Yet here they were, sitting shoulder to shoulder in the golden grass and staring at grazing antelope. Guides and photographers named them Tano Bora, which means “the Magnificent Five” in the local Maa language. Others called them the Fast Five.
Brothers, but Not All
Most people assumed they were five brothers. The truth was messier. Only two are known to have come from the same litter, and one was a lone cheetah who joined the others despite having no family tie. Some reports say the group was made up of three brothers and two others, so the exact relationships are still debated. What mattered was the bond, and it held for years.
Meet the Five Tano Bora Cheetahs
- Olpadan, the leader and master hunter: He led the group for almost three and a half years. His name means a sharp marksman in Maa.
- Olarishani, the peacemaker: He stepped in when coalition-mates were attacked. His name means “judge”.
- Leboo, the loyal follower: He joined every hunt and fight. His name means “the one who is always within a group”.
- Olonyok, the underdog who became leader: He was the lowest in rank and often bullied. His name means someone who works hard for better results.
- Winda, the hunter: He was related to Olonyok and Leboo, and he later co-led the group. His Swahili name means “hunter”.
The Hunters
Together they were unlike any cheetahs people had seen. They hunted unusually large prey and showed group behaviour that is rarely seen in cheetahs. A single cheetah usually takes small gazelles. Five working together could bring down a wildebeest.
They cooperated in everything apart from breeding. When it came to females, each male mated separately. One scene stayed with the people who watched it: a mother, Nora, with her two-month-old daughter, suddenly facing all five males, the largest known male coalition in the Masai Mara. Her cub’s life depended on what they did next.
The River Crossing That Made Them Famous
The picture that made them world-famous was of four of them at the edge of the Talek River. The photograph showed four of the five cheetahs battling a raging river. They crossed together, soaked and grimacing, and the image went around the world. Millions saw it, and the Tano Bora became the Mara’s most photographed cats. Their story appeared in global films, documentaries and conservation magazines.
When the Coalition Broke
Then, after about five years, the unity cracked. Four of the cheetahs turned on a member of their own coalition, Olpadan, and killed him in a fight over territory. Wildlife lovers were shocked. How could brothers in arms do that?
The loss did not stop there. Barely three weeks after the group had expelled and killed one of their own, a second member died. His name was Olarishani, and he died of bite injuries. The three that remained became known as the Tatu Bora, and they were seen together between the reserve and the northern conservancies.
And Then There Were Two
In 2022 came more bad news. Leboo died, probably killed by lions, leaving the famous coalition reduced to two.
The Tano Bora no longer rule the plains, but their legacy remains. Their images taught the world about cheetah behaviour and about the animals’ vulnerability to habitat loss and climate change. They showed that cheetahs could be social, strategic and loyal, and that even the strongest bonds can break under pressure.
On the Mara’s open plains, cheetahs still stand on termite mounds at dawn, scanning for prey, and the next famous coalition may already be growing up.
Where to See Cheetahs in the Masai Mara
Cheetahs favour the short-grass plains where they can see and run, and they hunt in daylight, often mid-morning, which makes them one of the few big cats you may watch actually chase something. Look for a slim silhouette sitting high on a termite mound. Read our guide to the animals you can see in the Masai Mara to find out where to look, and our guide to the best time to visit Masai Mara to plan your dates.
The conservancies that border the reserve, such as Naboisho (where the five began), limit vehicle numbers and often allow off-road driving, which helps when a cheetah starts moving. See our guide to Masai Mara luxury camps and lodges, or compare the reserve with Amboseli. A sunrise flight shows the plains in a different light, so read our guide to the Masai Mara hot air balloon safari.
Tano Bora Cheetahs: Your Questions Answered
What does Tano Bora mean? “The Magnificent Five” in the local Maa language.
Were the Tano Bora cheetahs brothers? Not all of them. Only two are known to have come from the same litter, and reports disagree on the rest.
Are the Tano Bora cheetahs still alive? The coalition has been reduced to two cheetahs, after Olpadan, Olarishani and Leboo died.
Come and Explore the Land of the Tano Bora Cheetahs
Come and explore the land of the Tano Bora cheetahs with Yulle Adventures. Contact us at info@yulle.co.ke or call 254 769 841 010 for itineraries and guided safaris, browse our Kenya safari packages, or request a quote. If it is your first trip, read our guide to a Kenya safari for first-time visitors.