In a breathtaking moment straight from the wild, Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe became the stage for an intense encounter between a pride of 30 lions and a herd of Cape Buffalo, desperate for water.
The stunning scene unfolded at Chitake Springs, where the natural world’s predator-prey dynamics were on full display.
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Captured by 62-year-old David Pinkernell, the clash was a rare spectacle, witnessed by David, his wife Carr, and friends Andrea, Brad, and Leslie.
They observed the action from a cliff’s edge, guided by Nick Murray, the experienced owner of Bushlife Safaris.
As the buffaloes approached the waterhole, the lions launched their attack. The adult buffaloes fought valiantly to protect their calves, leading to a fierce standoff that stretched for about 10 minutes.
David described the scene: “At the waterhole, there was a dramatic back-and-forth between the lions and buffaloes. The adults were doing everything they could to save the calves, and after about 10 minutes, the buffaloes retreated up the hillside.”
The tension escalated when two male lions left their initial kills to pursue the wounded calves. Despite the adults’ efforts to fend them off, the calves were eventually overwhelmed by the lions.
Reflecting on the emotional encounter, David shared, “My adrenaline was racing, and I felt quite emotional. But this is nature, and it happens every day—it’s just rare to capture it.”
David’s extensive safari experience, including eight trips organized by Africa Adventure Company, further emphasized the rarity of such events.
In his 150 days spent on safari, he had never witnessed a lion kill until this unforgettable day in Mana Pools.
“My wife and I have visited Mana Pools three times during our safaris. In all those days, we never saw a lion kill,” David noted. “But on the third day of this trip, we witnessed over four lion kills in just seven minutes. It was incredible, though only one of them was successful.”
The group’s journey during the pandemic posed challenges, but with the logistical support of Mark Nolting from Africa Adventure Company, they found themselves nearly alone in the park.
This rare solitude allowed them to witness one of nature’s most powerful moments without the usual crowds.
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