A peaceful brunch at the Nkuhlu Picnic Site in Kruger National Park turned into a startling encounter with wildlife on August 17, as a leopard charged through the area, causing visitors to scatter in panic. The incident occurred about halfway between Skukuza and Lower Sabie rest camps, transforming the usually serene spot into a scene of chaos.

Dewald Venter, a visitor from Centurion, captured the dramatic event on video, describing it as “the sighting (and scare) of their lives.” Venter recounted that he and his group were enjoying brunch on the terrace when they heard noises that initially seemed like grunting male impalas from the nearby tented camp. It quickly became apparent that the sounds were caused by a leopard chasing two bushbucks along the front of the terrace.

The predator briefly paused on the terrace, seemingly evaluating its escape options. With people surrounding it and the river behind it, the leopard dived through the picnic area, causing a frenzy among the onlookers. The video captures the panic, with many screaming and running, despite efforts to calm the crowd.

Tina van Deventer, another witness, shared her experience on the SANParks – Kruger National Park Facebook page. “My two daughters at the end of the video are running towards the car. We were initially unsure of what to do, but a ranger instructed us to move to our cars,” she said. Despite the fear and confusion, no shots were fired, and thankfully, no one was injured.

Van Deventer’s daughter, who had reached their car without keys, experienced a close call as the leopard passed. Reflecting on the incident, Van Deventer expressed gratitude that no one was harmed and reaffirmed her love for Kruger Park, despite the scare.

The park’s spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, acknowledged the incident, expressing relief that the visitors reacted prudently by seeking safety. “This rare occurrence underscores the reality that Kruger is a wild environment where dangerous animals are present, even in designated picnic spots,” Phaahla concluded.

Venter described the encounter as a once-in-a-lifetime experience but a potent reminder of the wild nature of Kruger National Park, even in its developed areas.

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