Video of Hyena Stalking Around Safari Lodge Viewed More Than 20M Times

While sitting outside of a safari lodge in South Africa, a woman spotted a hyena walking around the property and captured the moment in a video that has been viewed more than 40 million times.

TikTok user Camela shared the video to her account @camelatravel which prompted numerous viewers to share their shock and thoughts on the unexpected sighting.

"We were the only guests left at the safari lodge," the text over the video read. "The employees had gone inside and we were the only two left out here when this wild hyena approached."

Text over the video continued to explain that other wild animals like warthogs and antelope can be found on the property, but they did not approach guests.

The hyena walked around the outdoor seating area and wandered over to the lodge's dining area, which was empty at that time.

Although they were told that the animals are more likely to be scared of humans than humans should be of the animals, Camela said she still felt uneasy.

The video ended just as the hyena began walking up the ramp into the area where she was sitting.

Known for their "laughter," hyenas make a number of different types of sounds, per the African Wildlife Foundation, like wailing calls and screams.

The spotted hyena in particular was dubbed one of Africa's top predators.

Though some think of the hyena as an animal that scavenges, the AWF said about 70 percent of their diet comes from direct kills.

"They consume animals of various types and sizes, carrion, bones, vegetable matter and other animal droppings," the organization said.

In her second video, Camela picked up where her previous video left off as the hyena continued to walk up the ramp.

"He ends up within feet of us and keeps getting closer," the text over the video read. "We didn't know where to go."

The hyena noticed that Camela moved slightly, and she said she wasn't sure who was more frightened at that point. However, the video concluded with the hyena walking away.

Camela wrote to Newsweek that she and her boyfriend were in close contact with animals from the safari truck, like lions, elephants and zebras.

She said they were excited to have the opportunity to see the hyena at such a close distance but became nervous as it walked closer.

Although she said her initial reaction was to seek safety in a nearby bathroom, Camela's boyfriend assured her that the animal would not try to harm something much bigger than it. He also noted that if they hid in the bathroom, they wouldn't know when it would be safe to come back out.

"We went to get the safari ranger and by the time we walked back to the lodge, the hyena had actually entered the lodge and went into the bar," she recalled.

The hyena was on the property for about five minutes before the safari ranger chased it away.

Camela said this chance encounter was a "once in a lifetime" moment, noting that the safari lodge is typically fully booked.

She said that she felt safe while out on a safari and with the guides, and she appreciated safari lodges for their "natural environments."

The close encounter left many viewers stunned, while some joked about the matter.

"I would've cried if it started 'laughing' while approaching," one TikTok user commented.

Another wrote, "I would have been on the table hiding in the umbrella."

"My toxic trait is thinking that all animals can sense that I love them," a viewer wrote. "Thus, they will not harm me and will let me pet them."

Joked one user, "Give 'em the ole psspspspspsps and see what's what."

Camela said she wanted to "add drama and mystery" as she created the TikTok video, but did not expect it to receive as much attention as it did.

With the new followers she received as a result of the videos, Camela said she hopes she can share videos to her TikTok account about wild animals.

"Poachers in Africa threaten wildlife species that are already critically endangered, so I hope people will see my page and learn a little more about wildlife," she said.

Updated 04/05/2022, 5:38 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comments from TikTok user Camela.