Leopard sizes up tourists in ‘heart-in-throat’ safari encounter
Pete Thomas, For The Win
Fri, December 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM UTC
1 min read
Tourists in the accompanying footage tried to remain calm recently when a large leopard strolled over to rest in the shade of their vehicle – just inches away.
The footage was shared by Uganda-based Pearl Pulse Safaris, whose guide described the encounter as a “heart-in-throat” experience.
The guide is heard reassuring clients by calmly repeating, “It’s OK, don’t worry.”
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Interestingly, large predators in protected reserves are accustomed to safari vehicles and typically do not perceive tourists as threats – as long as they remain inside and don't panic.
As for those in the footage, it was pointed by one follower that it was unwise to make eye contact with the leopard, and by another follower that a man’s hand is seen dangling like bait outside of the vehicle from the back seat.
Reads the top comment: “The urge to pet him would be intense.”
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Safari tourists stunned when leopard stops just inches from vehicle