The close encounter between the wildebeest and the lion was filmed near the Satara camp in the Kruger National Park by Excellent Hlatshwayo.
The lioness walked alone through the bushveld, and had chosen to use the reserve road as her pathway.
Lioness and wildebeest cross paths
The wildebeest had been crossing the road ahead when their paths almost met. Fortunately for the wildebeest, it spotted her in the distance before she had a chance to attack.
The lioness held the wildebeest’s attention and for a moment, it seemed almost paralysed by her presence.
Her tail lifted up as though to attack and showing signs of alarm, the wildebeest saw this as its signal to run.
This was not just any run. The wildebeest sprinted into the bushveld ahead. It was running for its life!
Its tail was lifted in a state of panic as it ran, and also as a possible signal of ‘danger’.
The lioness, however, did not match its pace. She realised she would not catch up with it and without her pride by her side, she decided to let the wildebeest go.
In the wild, lionesses often hunt in prides to take down wildebeest. The element of surprise and team strategy make all the difference. If a lion attacks head-on or in a prolonged chase, the wildebeest has a good chance of escaping, or fighting back.
This lone lioness decided to save hunting for later and to keep walking.
Lioness continues to walk ahead
Excellent continued to film the lioness as she walked on ahead. The road was long but she appeared to have all of the time in the world.
She walked with authority and grace, pulling off the typical majestic gait which lions are so skilled at. If the lion is King of the Jungle, she was definitely the Queen.
She was regal and composed as she walked ahead of Excellent’s car.
Lioness looks into bushveld as she moves
Perhaps the wildebeest lingered nearby, as she looked off to the side of the road every few moments, studying the bushveld in the distance.
Maybe she had it in mind to hunt later, but for now, she continued to walk. For a beautiful moment, Excellent managed to partake in the lioness’ world as she walked along.
A lioness is highly adapted for life in the bushveld and can walk impressive distances when necessary, as this one was doing. A lioness in the bushveld can walk 10 to 20km, sometimes more. Usually she will cover this distance when she is in search of food or while patrolling territory.
The distance is often broken up with rests in the shade, especially during hotter months.
Lions are usually nocturnal movers, and might walk four to eight hours at night. This is usually accompanied by periods of rest or stalking behaviour.
Each of her steps seemed so purposeful and calculated but who could say to where she was walking. Excellent could not follow her indefinitely, though for a moment, he had followed in her footsteps and taken the footage to allow the viewer to do the same.
Fortunately for the wildebeest, it had lived to see another day!