Lions make the top of the sightings wishlist for many eager tourists visiting the African continent, and the guests on this morning drive through South Africa’s Kruger National Park definitely got what they came for.
Warning: This video may disturb sensitive viewers.
This incredible footage was captured by field guide Marten Lange, who was taking a group on a game drive when he came across four lions lying under a bush not far from the road. Optimistic that the big cats might wander a little closer and allow the guests a better photographic opportunity, Lange decided to wait it out.
“After about 20 minutes something caught my eye,” Lange explained to GreatStock. A herd of buffalo had already crossed the road and headed north to drink from a nearby waterhole, but two stragglers remained behind. Lange would later learn that the pride had already tried their luck at taking down a buffalo, but the herd had chased them off.
“I saw that the two buffalo were heading straight towards us and were going to cross the road right in front of us,” continues Lange. “There was a footpath leading down towards the water and [to where] the lions [were lying] in the front of my vehicle. I suggested that my guests get their cameras ready because I could sense something might just happen.”
And boy did something happen. One of the buffaloes was nursing an injury and the lions were onto it in a flash. Two of the cats chased the injured animal across the road where it lost its grip on the slippery surface and came crashing to the ground just metres from the stunned onlookers.
“It was like watching an exciting wildlife documentary, but now we were part of the action,” says Lange. “I have seen a couple of kills by leopard, lion, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. But nothing previously seen could compare with this experience, because it was so in your face. My guests were absolutely blown away.”
And to top off the exhilarating sighting, one of the lions decided to take a break from the carcass and moved over to rest in the shade of the safari vehicle, just a whisker away from the awestruck spectators.