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Kruger national park: the best animal videos Kruger national park: the best animal videos
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A quick-thinking impala forging an escape route from a hungry cheetah through a window of an unsuspecting tourist's car: it had all the ingredients for a runaway YouTube hit. But these tourists aren't the first to have had an unbelievable run in with nature on the roads of South Africa's Kruger national park, and they won't be the last. Here are some more incredible encounters between drivers and animals within the park, all captured through tourists' amateur footage.
A quick-thinking impala forging an escape route from a hungry cheetah through a window of an unsuspecting tourist's car: it had all the ingredients for a runaway YouTube hit. But these tourists aren't the first to have had an unbelievable run in with nature on the roads of South Africa's Kruger national park, and they won't be the last. Here are some more incredible encounters between drivers and animals within the park, all captured through tourists' amateur footage.
Note that Kruger rules insist that visitors remain in their vehicles within the park, unless in a designated area. Vehicle doors have to be closed at all times, and no body parts can protrude from window, doors, or sunroofs.Note that Kruger rules insist that visitors remain in their vehicles within the park, unless in a designated area. Vehicle doors have to be closed at all times, and no body parts can protrude from window, doors, or sunroofs.
Battle at KrugerBattle at Kruger
This is the ultimate Kruger video, and, with over 72m views on YouTube, it's certainly the most famous. Professional camera crews would kill to have witnessed a scene such as this one – in which a herd of cape buffalo, a pride of lions, and some crocodiles go head to head. On the off-chance you've haven't seen it, we won't give any spoilers, but this eight-minute sequence has more twists and turns than a python in a U-bend. Even if you've seen it before (perhaps way back in 2007, when it first surfaced), watch it again now – this is a scene that never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times you see it.This is the ultimate Kruger video, and, with over 72m views on YouTube, it's certainly the most famous. Professional camera crews would kill to have witnessed a scene such as this one – in which a herd of cape buffalo, a pride of lions, and some crocodiles go head to head. On the off-chance you've haven't seen it, we won't give any spoilers, but this eight-minute sequence has more twists and turns than a python in a U-bend. Even if you've seen it before (perhaps way back in 2007, when it first surfaced), watch it again now – this is a scene that never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times you see it.
Leopard gets it on with a Fiat PuntoLeopard gets it on with a Fiat Punto
The way this leopard rounds a Fiat Punto, circling it and even pawing it, it's as if it has never encountered anything quite so fascinating. Surely he must have seen loads of cars on these roads? Look more closely though, and it appears to be his own reflection that has captured his attention. A vain leopard can't change his spots, but, given the chance, he can admire them.The way this leopard rounds a Fiat Punto, circling it and even pawing it, it's as if it has never encountered anything quite so fascinating. Surely he must have seen loads of cars on these roads? Look more closely though, and it appears to be his own reflection that has captured his attention. A vain leopard can't change his spots, but, given the chance, he can admire them.
Python slips into car bonnetPython slips into car bonnet
"He's going to go under you car, people!" exclaims one tourist as a huge python gets closer and closer to the vehicle in front of them. Ultimately, the python goes one step – or slither – further, and heads right under the car bonnet. After making a temporary home there, it stays put for the ride and even poses for some photos when the car – and its convoy – pulls into a designated area, where tourists are allowed to disembark."He's going to go under you car, people!" exclaims one tourist as a huge python gets closer and closer to the vehicle in front of them. Ultimately, the python goes one step – or slither – further, and heads right under the car bonnet. After making a temporary home there, it stays put for the ride and even poses for some photos when the car – and its convoy – pulls into a designated area, where tourists are allowed to disembark.
'I don't like the way he's looking at us''I don't like the way he's looking at us'
The majesty of this gentle, lumbering elephant almost gets upstaged by the couple filming it. "This is great videoing!" exclaims the man, as his panic-stricken wife holds the camera. Skip forward to 2m20 to hear the playful domestic argument reach its peak ("Video it! Video it!", "No! Please! Move! Please!") It's almost as if the elephant knows what's going on and so deliberately teases them, stopping and starting while creeping slowly towards their windscreen. As the elephant moves away, the husband gets the last word: "That was beautiful! What a joy! [Silence] Love? Are you still videoing?"The majesty of this gentle, lumbering elephant almost gets upstaged by the couple filming it. "This is great videoing!" exclaims the man, as his panic-stricken wife holds the camera. Skip forward to 2m20 to hear the playful domestic argument reach its peak ("Video it! Video it!", "No! Please! Move! Please!") It's almost as if the elephant knows what's going on and so deliberately teases them, stopping and starting while creeping slowly towards their windscreen. As the elephant moves away, the husband gets the last word: "That was beautiful! What a joy! [Silence] Love? Are you still videoing?"
The king of the tarmacThe king of the tarmac
This lion causes roadblock by getting romantic with ... the tarmac. He licks it, he caresses it, he never seems to want to leave the spot. We don't know quite what's going on here. Can he taste something? If so, it must be really good. Finally, he regains himself and slowly moves on as if nothing happened. If any animal behaviour experts want to explain what's going on here, we'd love to hear your thoughts (leave a comment below).This lion causes roadblock by getting romantic with ... the tarmac. He licks it, he caresses it, he never seems to want to leave the spot. We don't know quite what's going on here. Can he taste something? If so, it must be really good. Finally, he regains himself and slowly moves on as if nothing happened. If any animal behaviour experts want to explain what's going on here, we'd love to hear your thoughts (leave a comment below).
Man charges at elephantMan charges at elephant
It can't be deemed as one of the best, but it's a great example of exactly what not to do when visiting Kruger. This man breaks every rule in the book by charging towards a wild elephant on foot while, allegedly, drunk. "Run! Run at him!" shouts one of the onlookers, before falling into hysterics. The man – a professional guide – lost his job after the video went viral and he later issued a public apology.It can't be deemed as one of the best, but it's a great example of exactly what not to do when visiting Kruger. This man breaks every rule in the book by charging towards a wild elephant on foot while, allegedly, drunk. "Run! Run at him!" shouts one of the onlookers, before falling into hysterics. The man – a professional guide – lost his job after the video went viral and he later issued a public apology.
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