Four tourists chatting on the deck after breakfast at Singita Ebony Lodge in South Africa were suddenly interrupted by a leopard on the hunt for its own breakfast.
Erika Weise, 39, was with two friends and her uncle at the lodge located in Singita Sabi Sand on the bank of the Sand River when the close encounter occurred.
Weise shared her video with Kruger Sightings.
“Vervet monkeys are one of the best ways to know there is a predator around, by listening to their alarm calls,” Weise explained to Kruger Sightings. “This particular morning, vervet monkeys alerted us to the presence of a leopard that made its way onto the upper deck, crossed the lower deck and then made its way from the lodge to remain undetected.”
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The leopard had been stalking a bushbuck in the riverbed in front of the lodge earlier, before it decided to give guests at the lodge an incredible wildlife sighting.
The lodge staff is trained for this sort of encounter and was able to keep everyone calm and silent as the leopard wandered through the restaurant.
“We felt complete awe, reverence, respect and gratitude,” Weise told Kruger Sightings. “What a rare experience to have such an encounter with a leopard. The situation proved that wildlife and people can live and interact with each other in harmony and respect.”
The leopard left the restaurant as calmly as it entered, and continued its pursuit of the bushbuck.
“This was extremely rare for me and all I can say to someone in that situation is to stay calm and respectful,” Weise said.
Photos courtesy of Kruger Sightings.