On safari, a naughty cheetah had a close contact with a visitor.
With its razor-sharp claws and fangs, this is one moggy you don’t want to snuggle up on your lap.
As the truck passed through Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve, the adventurous large cat sprang onto the back of the vehicle.
It moved closer to where Irish visitor Mickey McCaldin was seated, then came to a halt just a foot from his face.
During their interaction, the cheetah appears to be ready to settle himself on Mickey’s knee.
“I’ve lived my entire life in Kenya, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” David, 62, of Mombasa, Kenya, said.
He remarked, “The cheetah wasn’t scared to approach up close and personal.”
“At first, Mickey seemed unconcerned, but I’m sure he was worried it might attempt to jump on his lap.”
“You surely don’t want that, unlike a domestic cat.”
After following a well-known cheetah family known as Malaika, whose mother is named Malaika, David took the photos.
They’d been following them for a few days before realizing the family hadn’t eaten in days.
“The family had been looking for a gazelle for several days and had come up empty-handed. ”
“I’m presuming they got used to the car after a few of days, so the mother went on top to have a better perspective.”
“I assume the second cheetah tried to catch up to her but made a detour.”
“After it became bored with Mickey, it glanced out the window for a few minutes.”
“After that, it simply jumped out at me.”
Mickey was on vacation with his wife and sister, both of whom are David and Vicky’s pals.
“We’ve spent our entire lives in Kenya, yet we’ve never felt compelled to leave.”
I’m frequently asked, “Where are you going on vacation?” The game reserves are where we always go.
“You never know what you’ll find — like this.”
