DonTopaz

Ran across this amazing clip on YouTube; I don't recall seeing it here before (apologies if it has been referenced):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Cgg0txuzWM

I love the reaction of the driver!

LAleslie

Rizzuto,
Fantastic!

I wonder how unusual this is. A driver we had in South Africa was a former long-time guide in Kenya. He said there was one cheetah that became a kind of "pet" at one camp, and would often ride around on the hood of their Land Rover to the astonishment of onlookers.
Leslie

afrigalah

Not very unusual. I've photos of a cheetah on a vehicle's bonnet in the Mara in 1997. She checked out the surroundings while her cubs played in the grass. In some places over the years, the cheetahs have become more and more bold, like the one shown in the clip. An early edition of Big Cat Diary showed a cheetah using the roof of a vehicle as a toilet.

John

Bill_H

I wonder how unusual this is.

For us 1 out of 37

http://www.pbase.com/hilton_photography/image/88951188

safarimama

I've had a cheetah, a big male, on top of my vehicle once. I was alone with the driver, Samson at the time. This happened at Olonana in the Mara close to the Kichwa Tembo airstrip. So far, I must say, it was the best experience yet on any safari. I've been a few. Samson said he didn't have a name, so I named the cheetah Samson after my driver. I was high for weeks after that!!!

sandi

This happened to us in '05, on two occasions, one day after the next.

First day, she (it was Honey) was on another vehicle when we pulled up after hearing "duma, duma" over the radio. When she jumped off the vehicle, she was next on ours. Our windscreen was up, but she sat there and stared us right in the eye. The bonnet was warm, it was a high spot from where to look for game. We were enthralled! I in tears, my friend couldn't take pictures fast enough. We had our sundowners righ there... what ann amazing treat. Honey must have sat with us for 45/min-1/hr. Then, guess she had to look for dinner and was on her way.

Next day, coming from another camp, vehicle & guide, there she was again. Sitting so proud on another vehicle and as content as any cheetah could be. Again, she sat there for a good hour before heading off to hunt. It was still light and we watched her stalk an impala quite some distance from us... creeping up, creeping up. The impala hadn't a clue. By then it was dark and we couldn't see much. Later learned, she never went further... lucky Impala!

Cheetah do this often in the Mara as there are few high points-hills or large termite mounds-from where to survey the area for pray, so vehicles work for them.

atravelynn

Rizzuto,

Thanks for posting and bringing back memories of the last day of my first safari.

At Little Gov's in Kenya 1994 I photographed 2 cheetahs on the vehicle hood/bonnet next to us.

Then one of the cheetahs jumped up onto on our vehicle with his front paws over the open hatch and his back legs scraping against the sides to get up. It had rained earlier so his wet feet could not get traction, but for a moment during his struggle we were face to face and his brushed against mine, giving me an Africa Kwaheri (goodbye) Kiss.

It all happened so fast but I reacted to my first attempted cheetah kiss the same way I did to my first human kiss, which occurred in Kindergarten. I gave a frightened little gasp and ducked.

rickmck

Ahh, to be kissed by a Cheetah... Very cute story, Lynn...

LAleslie

Bill H, a picture to die for! And Lynn, a kiss to remember! I envy you all. I now have another experience to add to my Africa wish list.

Leely

Me too, me too! Serengeti, July 2004. Young cheetah on the hood. My first safari and my heart was definitely a-thumpin'. I'm a little nearsighted and I was so happy to really see just how beautiful a cheetah is right up close.

I was crouching down as low as I could, though.