Watch the sighting here:
Thuli Khumalo from Atamela Tours witnessed the dramatic interaction and submitted his story to Latest Sightings. The action unfolded at Transport Dam — scene of the infamous “Battle at Kruger — in the southern Kruger National Park.
Lions cause pandemonium
Thuli’s video begins with a herd of impala, followed by a buffalo bull fleeing from a pride of lions. With the lions closing in, the bull seeks refuge in the water, hoping the lions won’t follow.
Sure enough, as it splashes into the shallows, the pursuing lion pulls up, leading us to believe it is safe.
Hidden dangers
However, as the bull swims towards the opposite bank, a new threat rises from the depths: a large Nile crocodile.
Despite the size of the buffalo, the croc is confident in its realm and launches an attack. However, because the buffalo is so bulky, the crocodile is unable to grab it in its jaws.
On second thoughts
After avoiding several attempts by the crocodile, the buffalo decides to swim back to shore. Only now, more lions have arrived.
On seeing the waiting lions, the buffalo turns again, only to have the crocodile nearly grab it by the snout.
Lesser of two evils
We’ll never know the buffalo’s thinking, but it then turned back toward the shore, preferring to take its chances against the lions.
Subsequently, when the buffalo emerged from the water, the lions were curiously cautious. No doubt, they had prior experience with buffalos and weren’t about to take any chances.
He who hesitates is lost
As the lions hesitated, the buffalo decided its best form of defence was to attack and set off after the nearest lioness. Ironically, this is exactly what the lions needed as, with superior numbers, they could now try to out-manoeuvre the enraged buffalo.
While chasing after the lioness, the bull unwittingly exposed its rump to one of the young male lions present. Seeing this, the youngster rose to attack…
Only to quickly back off when the bull turned to face it…
See-saw battle
From there, the scene became one of confusion as two of Africa’s famed Big 5 were locked in a battle of wits.
Subsequently, it was hard to tell who was chasing who. As the bull chased a male, a lioness fell in behind him only for her to pull up short when the bull again turned.
Running for cover
Eventually, the buffalo saw a gap and made for the thick vegetation away from the water. Sensing victory, the lions set off in pursuit.
On reaching the treeline, the bull again turned to face his pursuers. It seemed like he was waiting for something. But what?
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Here comes the cavalry
We find out as the video cuts to the next scene in which the lions are now on the run. In the nick of time, the bull’s herd had arrived and rushed to his defence.
Although initially obscured by the dense vegetation, the herd turns out to be several hundred strong. More than a match for the lions, the pride are last seen slinking away.
Herd of heroes
In the end, Thuli’s video closes with a view of the herd enjoying a well-earned drink. Seeing them in such large numbers, it is little wonder the lions chose to retreat.
The wonder of waterholes
Finally, when on safari, it often pays to visit water points to see what unfolds. You’re bound to see a continuous procession of animals come to drink and, if you’re really lucky, get to see action second to none.