A leopard jumped metres off the ground to catch a bounding impala out of the air sending it crashing to earth.

Steve Jacobson was on holiday with family in Balule National Park, South Africa, on February 2 when their guide spotted a leopard stalking on a hill.

Incredible footage showed the moment the prowling predator suddenly ducked down low waiting for unseen prey to approach.

As an unfortunate impala came running over the crest, the leopard leaped off the ground and tackled the animal to the ground before puncing on him at the bottom of the hill to finish the hunt.

Steve said: “It was an absolutely amazing sighting. It appeared to happen out of nothing.

“I have seen other hunts on safari, but nothing like this before.

“We were so lucky that we had pulled up at the right place and at the right time. Unfortunately for the impala, I don’t think it would have thought the same.”