A safari trip in Tanzania took an unexpected turn when a curious cheetah jumped into a tourist’s jeep.
When three hunting cheetahs approached his group, Britton Hayes, from Seattle, Washington, was on a guided tour in the Serengeti National Park’s Gol Kopjes.
While the group’s attention was on one cheetah sitting on the hood of their vehicle, a second cheetah decided to leap into the back of the jeep.
“We noticed the cheetahs getting interested in the vehicle,” Hayes told KOMO News. “But by then, it was too late to drive off, and any sudden movements could have startled them, leading to dangerous situations.”
Once inside the jeep, the cheetah explored briefly, sniffing around and chewing on the seats. Fortunately, it eventually left the vehicle without causing any harm.
Hayes credited the tour guide for helping him stay composed and teaching him how to control his breathing during the encounter.
“I had to clear my mind because predators like cheetahs can pick up on fear and unease, and they respond to that,” Hayes said.
After the cheetahs left, the group sat in stunned silence for about ten seconds before they could finally relax.
Hayes later admitted they laughed about the experience, grateful nothing serious had occurred.
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