Going on an African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But can you imagine cruising along in a safari jeep, taking in all the sights, when suddenly a large cheetah hops up on the seat ...

Watch: This curious cheetah gives tourists in Africa the surprise of a lifetime by disrupting their safari in the best way.

The Shimek family, of Summit, was on a safari in the Serengeti when the cheetah jumped onto the roof of an open-top Jeep in their group. There were two people inside the vehicle along with a guide.

From the July 2010 issue of National Geographic Traveler The modern safari model generally goes something like this: Fly in, bump around in a jeep, photograph the Big Five, have a sundowner, fly home.

Forget the traditional safari, where you spend hours in a Jeep passively observing wild animals - the real thrill is on foot, and walking among them.