A Breathtaking Moment: A Cheetah Gently Lies Beside a Photographer, Trusting Him Enough to Let Him Stroke Her Head.

This picture captures the incredible moment a photographer lies in the grass beside a cheetah at an African game reserve.

Photographer Chris Du Plessis and Mtombi the Cheetah reviewing the photos

Photographer Chris Du Plessis and Mtombi the Cheetah reviewing the photos

Cat's amazing: The predator is the picture of spotty elegance as she poses with the photographer, completely at ease with the situation

Cat’s amazing: The predator is the picture of spotty elegance as she poses with the photographer, completely at ease with the situation

Heads up: The cheetah is perfectly happy to let Mr Du Plessis stroke her

Photographer Chris Du Plessis took this incredible photo at Tshukudu Game Lodge, Hoedspruit, South Africa.

The gorgeous female Cheetah, named Mtombi, is tame to the camp but still runs wild and hunts for herself.

Feline fine: The cheetah is called Mtombi and lives at Tshukudu Game Lodge - but she hunts for herself

Feline fine: The cheetah is called Mtombi and lives at Tshukudu Game Lodge – but she hunts for herself

Friendly: Despite the big cat's wild side, she luckily has no appetite for Mr Du Plessis

Friendly: Despite the big cat’s wild side, she luckily has no appetite for Mr Du Plessis

Point and shoot: Mr Du Plessis draws the cheetah's attention to something in the distance

Point and shoot: Mr Du Plessis draws the cheetah’s attention to something in the distance

Chris said: ‘Mtombi is a rescued cheetah at the Marula Camp, Tshukudu Game Lodge in South Africa.