About the Author

Kate Arthur

Contributor

After a few years of working in the world of economic consulting, Kate’s love of adventure, wilderness and sense of curiosity led her to move away from the city and join the Londolozi guiding team. It was amidst her years of studying politics, ...

View Kate's profile

32 Comments

on Hyenas Vs Lions At The Londolozi Airstrip

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Suzanne Gibson
Master Tracker

Thanks for that, Kate. I always find the sound of hyenas whooping quite spine-tingling.
It would have been a very interesting scenario if a plane had been due to land!

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thank you Suzanne!

William Paynter
Master Tracker

Thank you Kate for the great videos of the scene at the airstrip. The interaction between the lions and the hyenas was something to see.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks William – it was a very exciting morning!

Chelsea Allard
Master Tracker

Are the two Nkuhuma lionesses related to the Styx pride? It seems awfully risky for them to approach the kill of another pride and that many hyenas without any back up of their own. I wonder how often sharing amount prides actually happens. I can’t imagine very often, so what a treat to witness it. Glad it worked out and everyone got a piece of the carcass.

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

What an eventful morning. And, wow, so many hyena. I always wonder how they dare to attack the lions. The lions seem to be so much bigger than hyenas. But it’s probably the number of the latter ones that make them so successful, isn’t it?
Great photos and videos.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Christa! Yes I do think that there is an advantage when numbers are in their favour.

Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Kate your images are beautiful of all the commotion going on there. The lions and hyenas are indeed enemies and just look how the hyenas out numbered the lions so that the would be able to feed on the carcass. Even the Tawney eagle made an appearance. The airstrip is a busy part of the reserve, open and full of activity.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks very much, Valmai!

Anita Santoro
Digital Tracker

WOW! What a great catch!!! The hyena made me laugh when they got the leg.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Anita! Agreed – the hyena were rather amusing throughout the various interactions.

Gawie Jordaan
Master Tracker

Absolute incredible photos and video!! Hopefully no plains was due to land!

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thank you Gawie!

Michael Fleetwood
Master Tracker

Remarkable recap Kate! Were all these hyenas part of the same clan (presumably the Sparta Clan given the location)? Also fascinating lion dynamics as well!

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thank you Michael! Yes, it is likely that majority of them are part of the same clan on central Sparta.

Barbi Evenson
Senior Digital Ranger

OMG! What an amazing sighting! The pure rawness of the moment…

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Barbi!

Patsy Crisp
Digital Ranger

Thanks for the memorable write up and photos which we were fortunate enough to view! No need to edit my pics as you have captured the scene so well.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Patsy!

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Hoe fortunate to witnedd these encounters. The stealthy approach of the Nkuhuma lionesses was almost hunrous.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Vin!

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

How exciting to witness this incredible sighting – your story, images and videos truly brought the encounter to life! It was interesting to see the Nkuhuma females approaching the Styx pride in the submissive stride, hoping for an opportunity to share the kill. I believe if their numbers were greater, the Styx would have chased them away.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks Denise! It really was an exciting morning with a lot of action!

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Wow Kate, what an intense encounter between and hyenas and the lionesses! And an amazing array of video and still images. Brava!!

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thanks very much Paul!

Tony McCutcheon
Explorer

Wow great pics, what an amazing sighting. I love watching lions and hyenas battle it out. True eternal enemies.

You can really see the size advantage the Nkuhuma lioness has over the them, not to mention the muscle definition on the forelegs and shoulders.

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thank you Tony. It is really an incredible experience to witness the interactions between lion and hyena, especially around a carcass.

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

Kate, What an incredible sighting! The faces of the lions filled with anger or fright are just amazing. The videos are epic too! We are sure it may have affected any flights coming in too! 😉

Kate Arthur
Contributor

Thank you so much! Luckily there were no flights that morning, but nevertheless by the end of game drive there was no evidence on the airstrip – as if nothing had even happened!

Lisa Antell
Master Tracker

Inter- and intra- species interactions are some of the most amazing moments on safari that one could ever wish for!

Just wow. And, so very close to ‘home’ — Londolozi

Kara Taylor
Master Tracker

oh wow – intense video and pictures – these lions must just be thinking these hyenas are out of their minds, but in the end persistence pays off.

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile