Watch the Sighting:
Kerry Balaam and Raj Chinsamy were fortunate enough to capture this heart-stopping sighting while on safari in Kruger National Park with Kruger Pride Safaris. The vehicles had pulled over to the side of the road and the passengers were casually chatting when Kerry spotted some movement on the road.
Immediately the group realized this was a python — and it was making its way toward the vehicles! Even as a safari guide, Kerry never could have predicted what would happen next!
A Surprise Passenger
Panic set in as the python, scared of being on the open road, opted to slither its way underneath the dark underbelly of the vehicle as its escape route. Another car pulled up beside Kerry’s safari vehicle having seen the python go below the car.
The driver slowly reversed, eyes scanning the ground for any sign of movement. Kerry hoped the snake would make its way into the bush, but as seconds passed with no sign of the python… a chilling realization set in—it was no longer outside the car!
Seeking Warmth in an Unlikely Place
Everyone tried to stay calm as they processed the situation. While pythons are a rare sighting in the Kruger, one never hopes to get too close to them.
Since snakes are cold-blooded animals, they often seek shelter in the colder months to conserve their body heat. In this case, a car engine seemed like a cozy place for this python to curl up to escape the winter weather.
The Rescue Mission
At this point, several vehicles had stopped to join the action. The hood of the car was popped open, and sure enough, there sat the python, nicely curled up, enjoying the heat of the engine.
A couple of other safari guides, Arun and Jan, graciously stepped in to help remove the python from the car. They both started by testing the snake’s temper, gently touching it to see if it would react.
When the snake started to make its way deeper within the engine, the guides knew they had to act fast before it was too late. With nerves of steel, one guide reached in, grasping the powerful body of the python as it resisted.
The snake initially refused to budge, but with one swift pull, it was freed from the car. It writhed in protest before being safely released back into the bush!
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
A Once-In-A-Lifetime Encounter
Even though the situation was quite dangerous, no one could believe how close they had come to the python. “After the sighting, we were all in high spirits as pythons are not often spotted in the park!”
This sighting is a good reminder that wildlife encounters are often unpredictable, and sometimes you aren’t even safe within your own vehicle! Always expect the unexpected while on safari!