Johannesburg - What was meant to be a wonderful experience in the Kruger National Park for a couple turned into a nightmare after they gatecrashed two leopards' supper.
The car they were travelling in got stuck in thick sand when they left the designated path to get a better view of the animals late on Friday afternoon. They weren't able to leave to get help because the leopards were overhead, feeding in a tree.
Peter Craig-Cooper, who found the couple, said: "We came across them early the next morning while travelling along the S86 in the Kruger National Park, south of Satara Camp."
He said that by then other vehicles had stopped. But no one could immediately help the pair because one of the leopards was still dining on its kill.
"Eventually the one leopard carried the head of the duiker down the tree and sauntered off down the dry riverbed."
The second leopard had climbed the tree, but it soon too left it and went across the river.
"After having a good look around and with the help of a friend, who was in one of the other vehicles and had a tow rope, we managed to haul the vehicle out of the thick sand."
Craig-Cooper is confident the couple won't make the same mistake again.
"We are sure that this will be a lesson well learnt; obey the rules of the park and don't leave the road.
"The couple were unable to open a door all night as they had, besides the leopard above them, hyenas circling them all night."- Staff Reporter Pictures: May Craig-Cooper