Man Attacked by Hyenas at Bachelor Party Says His Dad Found Him in ‘Pool of Blood’: ‘Had to Fight to Survive’

A man in South Africa is speaking out after surviving a dangerous attack by two hyenas while staying at a nature reserve for a bachelor party.

On Saturday, Aug. 30, Nicolas Hohls, 27, who lives at Strydgewon Farm in Harburg, KwaZulu-Natal, arrived at Cape Vidal Nature Reserve in St. Lucia, South Africa — a place he had been visiting since he was 6 years old — just before noon with his dad, Colin, ready to start the celebrations.

Hohls and some friends had spent the day fishing and enjoyed some food and a few beers that evening. By around 1 a.m. local time, tired from the week’s work, they went to bed.

About half an hour later, Hohls says two hyenas attacked him after one entered his tent through a 6-inch gap he had left unzipped for ventilation.

One hyena clamped its jaws around his cheek and part of his skull, while the other grabbed his left ankle.

Hohls told PEOPLE, “One went for my leg and the other for my face and head. I fought them off by ripping my face and ankle free, then attacking the eyes of one and forcing my hand down the throat of the other.”

He added, “I had been asleep…when I realized what was happening, it was pure instinct. I knew I had to fight to survive. I reacted immediately. I ripped myself free and went straight for their weak points — the eyes and throat. It was all instinct and adrenaline.”

Hohls’ screams woke his dad, who was in the rooftop tent above him.

“My dad jumped into action immediately. He found me in a pool of blood in my tent, put me in the car, and drove me straight to Ballito hospital,” Hohls said.

He insisted he had zipped up his tent “the same way” he had “done many times before.” Hohls added, “I’ve camped at Vidal before without problems. That night I left a small gap for ventilation. If the hyenas wanted to get in, they would have found a way regardless, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Hohls described the attack as lasting about a minute, calling it “one minute of hell” in a piece he wrote to remember the incident and shared with PEOPLE via email.

Hohls is now focused on recovery. Doctors have said a full recovery will take “about a month.”

“I’ve had about 30 stitches in my head, hand, and cheek. My left ankle and right thigh also have deep puncture wounds, but thankfully, no bones were broken,” he said.

He added, “I’m doing a lot better … The doctors are happy with my progress, and there’s been no sign of infection. For now, it’s about rest and allowing my body to heal properly. I’m very grateful to be alive and that I had the strength to fight back.”

Cape Vidal Nature Reserve did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment on the attack.