A curious Cheetah got up close and personal with a Jeep on safari at the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya when the animal jumped into the back seat of a jeep. The wild cat, with its razor sharp claws and teeth, sure is one kitty you’d rather not have curling up on your lap. But, nevertheless, the bold animal hopped into the back seat of a jeep as it drove through the African plains – much to the shock of an Irishman inside.
After entering the vehicle, it slowly sauntered over to Mickey McCaldin until it was barely a foot away from his face. Family friend David Horsey captured the tense standoff between the pair as it looked like the cheetah was going to make himself comfortable on Mickey’s lap. David, 62 from Mombasa, Kenya, said: ‘I’ve been living in Kenya all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this. ‘The cheetah just wasn’t scared of getting up close and personal.
At first Mickey was really relaxed but I think he was quite concerned it might try and sit in his lap. ‘Unlike a domestic cat, you certainly don’t want that.’
At first, the cheetah simply looked at Irish tourist Mickey McCaldin curiously, but then it moved closer as if to curl up on his lap.
At one point, the large cat was so close to Mickey that it was only about a foot away from his face Family friend David Horsey captured the tense standoff between the pair, including the moment that the animal lept into the safari jeep Making himself comfortable: The cheeky cheetah and his family casually lounged atop the group’s Land Cruiser jeep.
David captured the pictures on June 12, as the group tracked a well-known family of cheetahs, whose mother is called Malaika. Having followed them for a couple of days previously, they observed that the family hadn’t had a kill for several days. David said: ‘The family had been looking for a gazelle for a few days with no luck. ‘As we’d been around for a couple of days, I think they were used to the jeep so the mom jumped on top to get a better view. ‘I think the other cheetah tried to follow her up but went a different way. ‘Once it had got bored of Mickey it turned away and looked out of the vehicle for a few minutes. ‘It just jumped out afterwards.’
Photographer David, 62 from Mombasa, Kenya, said: ‘I’ve been living in Kenya all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this’
Surprise of their lives! The safari group was comprised of a guide, as well as Mickey, his wife, sister, photographer David and David’s wife
Mickey was out on vacation with his wife and sister, who are friends of David and his wife Vicky. David said: ‘Vicky and I have lived in Kenya all our lives but we never feel the urge to leave. 
‘People always ask us where we’re going on vacation and it’s always around the game reserves. ‘You never know what you’re going to come across – just like this.’
