Lions of Timbavati

[Gamiz]

From Sausage Tree Safari Camp
Yesterday morning started as any "normal" day would, a wake up at 5am, coffee and then depart by 5:30. The topic of conversation over coffee was one of what we might find during the drive with the guests wanting to find some hippo and giraffe. As it was only two guests (the others had opted for a hot air balloon excursion) we were going to head down towards the river, but nature had other plans. 

Not even five minutes out from camp, Themba points to our left and says "Ngala" (Shangaan for lion). We saw two male lions, of which one  was considerably older. Next minute from behind the bush comes another, and another, and another. A total of five males had appeared before us and seemed to be stalking some impala, rather unambitious as an impala would barely take the edge off of their appetites. They crossed the main servitude  road and we headed further on in order to come out in front of them.

Nobody was prepared for what was to come. As we turned the corner one of the males was on the back of a buffalo. The buffalo shrugged him off but with five male lions surrounding him the outcome was  inevitable. After standing his ground for around ten minutes d he made a last ditch break for it and the lions pounced and managed to bring him down. We sat for the rest of the drive watching in awe as the lions had started feeding on the buffalo  while one of the younger males covered the nose in order to try and suffocate it while the rest had started feeding. The buffalo was still alive for a while but hopefully in sufficient shock not to be feeling anything. It was the large male who put matters to an end by taking its throat in his jaws.

We were privileged that the incident had occurred on a neighbouring property where we were the only vehicle out that was able to traverse and our guests had an amazing private sighting.
The only other vehicle to join us for a while was one of  ours with all our staff who despite living and working in the bush for many years had never witnessed lions on a kill. It was a breakfast of big smiles all round when we got back to camp.

Mohlabetsi males

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Mohlabetsi males during a buffalo hunt.

photo taken yesterday by Themba Zwane.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply