The big read: Take a walk on the wild side in South Africa

South Africa offers an up close and personal look at nature. Just don’t get too close to the cheetahs, writes Paul McCarthy.

"They don’t see us as food, and they don’t see us as a threat, so we should be fine.”

Reassuring words, but when an eight-year-old cheetah in its prime looks back at you and appears not too pleased to be disturbed on a beautiful sunny morning, the park ranger’s comments feel a little optimistic.