Valentine’s Day at Londolozi wasn’t what Peter and Bessie Flewwelling had in mind on what is usually the most love-filled day of the year. Instead they started their day on a game drive looking for a leopard that had been seen in the area and instead came across a few of the smaller animals – birds and terrapins and later a giraffe – great sightings, but nothing that would have prepared them for what was to follow…
Peter writes: “It was about 6.30 am and we rounded a corner with ranger Alfred Mathebula and Tracker Equalizer. This is where we spotted seven lions of the Tsalala pride at the bottom of a gorge. They were clearly interested in something up the river.”
Alfred and Equalizer quickly noticed that there was a lone buffalo and that the lions were stalking the buffalo. There was another vehicle not far off but they had only seen the lions and not the buffalo. Alfred proceeded to inform the other vehicle and quickly positioned the Land Rover into the best position for watching what was soon to unravel…
The lions carefully stalking the buffalo in the riverbed
Getting a better vantage point
In deep thought and preparation for what is to come
The lone buffalo wades through the riverbed
“When we hit the top of the ridge and pulled to a stop – the buffalo was already there in front of us, wounded and facing off against the single Tailless Female lion.”
A standoff between the Tailless female and the buffalo begins
Peter, Bessie and the rest of the team then watched as the battle between the two iconic prizefighters of the African bush unfolded. “Hearts thumped and adrenaline rushing, we watched the buffalo fight courageously for his life.”
The buffalo was attacked twice by the lions and yet still stood, putting up a fight. The remarkable nature of the herd then played out as the head buffalo brought his team to the rescue. The buffalo showed us his courage when he took the lead heading straight into the middle of the lions causing them to disperse.
The Tsalala pride assess the situation
The head buffalo checks out the scene
The action begins!
“Hearts thumped and adrenaline rushing, we watched the buffalo fight courageously for his life.”
The buffalo was attacked twice by the lions and yet still stood, putting up a fight. The remarkable nature of the herd then played out as the head buffalo brought his team to the rescue.
A firm grip…
Refusing to back down
The buffalo calls out while the lion remains clutched over its back
The lion is relentless
The buffalo manages to make an escape.
A no-nonsense look from the head buffalo. He manages to fend off the seven lions
A clear demonstration of the hardships of life in the wild and courage displayed on both sides.
The buffalos succeed in scaring off the lions and the wounded buffalo lives to see another day!
“It was nice to see the buffalo thwart this one. With hearts still beating overtime, we backed off from the scene thinking of our once-in-a-lifetime experience, the clear demonstration of the hardships of life in the wild and the courage that had been displayed on both sides.
The experience also reminded us that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose in life – the lions had lost their kill and the buffalo had been injured but had come away with his life.
I was really happy to have my wife and budding photographer/videographer with me as well as our good friends Peter and Vanessa to share this experience – a memory for all of us.
It was truly a Valentine’s Day like no other. Thanks to Alfred and Equalizer and the Londolozi team for such a great weekend!
Written by Peter Flewwelling
Photograph and Filmed by: Bessie Flewwelling
Film edited by: Richard Laburn
Awesome sighting. Great action video. Stunning pics.
Phenomenal sighting with amazing images and video. Cant believe that the buffalo got away after that attempt by the Tsalala pride. What did the pride do after they buffalo got away?
An amazing sighting. Thank you for sharing this with us, nice to see the buffalo get away!
Gosh that was amazing! The tailless lioness has to be given a prize for tenacity, she always seems to be the one to ride on the back of the Buffalo & not give up!! Well that was an action packed weekend! Thanks to you all 🙂
Wow! This is amazing!!!
Awesome sighting!! go Buffalo go
Oh Fantastic. We never experienced anything like that at Londolozi . although it was a unforgettable holiday. The best!
I remember the tailless one!
So moving, the life and death struggle and hoping the buffalo’s injuries were superficial. I can only imagine witnessing this first hand and appreciate capturing it to share. Of course I recognize the tailless lioness…and obvious why she has not tail — fearless! Thanks for sharing your world.
Fantastic! Can’t wait to return…what a great Valentine for the beautiful buffalo!
Ps not that I don’t love lions!
Great to see the tailless manx lion in action. Still very fresh from our trip to Londolozi this week. Full of awesome action, large and small.The bird life is just as impressive.