“Wow, you hardly ever get such moments,” were the words of Bonga Njajula as he captured an unforgettable sighting at Kruger Shalati game reserve.
It was for good reason that he made such a statement. He had seen a lion hide itself and wait silently for a herd of impala to cross the road and walk straight into its trap!
Bonga’s film captures the awe of the spectators, who can be heard saying, “Someone is going to be dinner,” as the unsuspecting impala herd quite calmly cross the road ahead of the vehicle.
The impala had been grazing peacefully at the opposite side of the road from where the lion lay in waiting.
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However, as they say, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the road’. These impala spied some bushes and shrubbery in the distance and they moved in unison towards what they perceived was ‘greener grass’.
The game viewers held their breath as the tentative moment of viewing unfolded.
The lion waited full well until the first of the impala had entered into the thicket, where bushes shrouded its presence. Then, just like that, there was the sound of a commotion, as the rest of the herd turned to run.
Dust rises as struggle unfolds
Dust rose from the site where the lion wrestled with the impala, bringing it down to the ground within seconds.
Lioness becomes visible to motorists with catch in her mouth
The lion was now clearly visible to game viewers. She was a magnificent lioness, deliberate and bold with her moves. She pinned the impala down and though the animal kicked in self defense, it stood no chance against the lithe predator.
For the lioness, hunting is not just about feeding herself but often about feeding the pride as well. Female lions do most of the hunting in a pride and frequently work together, using coordinated strategies where some lions drive prey toward others waiting in ambush. However, a lone lioness may still attempt an ambush if an opportunity presents itself, especially if an impala wanders too far from the safety of the herd.
‘Game over’
Bonga can be heard saying ‘game over’, as the lioness rose triumphantly with her prey in her mouth. She had executed a commendable ambush and it had all transpired in a matter of moments.
In the bushveld, timing is always of the essence and these fortunate game viewers happened to be just in the right place at the right time.
A lioness ambushing an impala is one of the most classic hunting scenes on the African savanna. Lionesses rely heavily on stealth and patience rather than speed alone. They will often spend many minutes, sometimes even longer, carefully stalking their prey through grass or bush, keeping low to the ground and using vegetation for cover. Their sandy coat blends perfectly with the dry grass, making them difficult for prey to detect until it is almost too late.