Watch: Cheetah strolls through Crocodile Bridge gate

Some Kruger National Park (KNP) patrons were treated to a rare sighting when a cheetah took an afternoon stroll through the Crocodile Bridge Gate yesterday. Videos of this once-in-a-lifetime scene were making the rounds on social media, with the guests in awe of the view.

“This is the first time it has happened, and it will probably not happen again soon,” Crocodile Bridge hospital services manager Tinyiko Mtswetene excitedly proclaimed on one of the videos.

The KNP’s general manager of communications, Isaac Phaahla, has commended the guests for remaining in their cars during the spectacular moment.

“We have previously witnessed several such instances at the Paul Kruger Gate where wild dogs would come to the gate, but this is the first instance for Crocodile Bridge. All guests and employees who are in a protected area such as the KNP ought to be vigilant and always on the lookout for any possibly dangerous wild animal. It is exciting when you see it from a safe point, and one would have to savour the moment, because it’s very rare to see such an animal at such a close range. It looks like everybody had a great time while remaining safely in their vehicles. It is always advisable to remain in your car, no matter how exciting the sighting may be,” said Phaahla.

He added the cheetah was safely ushered back into the park.

“It was left to do what it wanted to do around the camp, watched closely by Mtswetene. If there was a need for the animal to be ushered out of that area, they would have called the section ranger, but it looks like it went back to the bushes on its own,” he said.