This is the terrifying moment a cheetah sat inches away from photographers as they huddled in a hide.
Alexander Brackx was part of a group patiently waiting in a camouflaged shelter when the incredible encounter took place.
The 54-year-old was expecting to see vultures – and had no idea two of the world’s fastest land mammals were stalking nearby.
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In a video, the predators suddenly appear – carefully watching the group as they walk towards the hide.
One of them lays down facing them, while the other looks ready to pounce.
It then looks directly at Alex’s camera.
There was a sheet of glass between them and the award-winning photographer believes the animals were curious about their own reflections.
“We were sitting in a vulture hide waiting for the vultures, when all of a sudden all the vultures flew up and these two cheetahs came to the scene,” Alex, from Belgium, told What’s The Jam.
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“It was the first time they have come to this area of the reserve.
“They were very intrigued by themselves in the window between us.
“They stayed for about 20 minutes, then left and came back one more time to look at themselves again.
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“Everything happened in a calm way and we had incredible pictures.”
The video was filmed in the Zimanga Reserve, in South Africa, Africa, while Alex was photoguiding for a company.
Alex has won two awards and holds the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2022 for Africa Geographic.
This year, he won an award at the World Nature Photography Awards.
“I started as a bird photographer but my interest these days goes out to all kinds of animals, especially the mammals,” Alex, who first started nature photography in 2010, said.
“They are very challenging to photograph but it can give you a big thrill when it works out well.
“I feel excitement when I am able to take pictures of animals I have been thinking and dreaming about.
“I feel very privileged when I can see them, observe them and in the end take pictures.”
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