Life in the African bush is a world where the unexpected is the only certainty. Every opportunity we get to explore this wonderful wilderness brings with it the promise of adventure and the thrill of the unknown. As the first light breaks over the horizon, you never truly know what the day might hold. It’s a place where the ordinary turns extraordinary in an instant, and where the most seasoned safari goer can find themselves breathless, awestruck by the scenes that unfold before their eyes. The unpredictability of life on safari is what makes it so captivating; one moment you’re lulled by the serenity of the wilderness and the next, you’re witnessing something so rare, so powerful, it leaves you questioning if it was real at all. In this ever-changing landscape, it’s the moments you least expect that stay with you forever.

Timeless!

For those fortunate enough to experience the magic of the African wilderness more than once, the thrill of the of safari evolves into something deeper. Over time, a personal “sightings bucket list” begins to take shape – an ever-growing collection of dreams and hopes for encounters that are as elusive as they are unforgettable. It is about the desire to witness those extraordinary moments that most only hear about in stories.  Whilst it is important to mention that every sighting is just as unique and special in its own regard, it is these “once in a lifetime” moments that fuel our passion for the bush, drawing us back time and again, always dreaming of the possibilities that await us when leaving the camps cattle grids for morning and afternoon drive.

The Tsalala Female climbs a marula tree to try to steal a kill from the Senegal Bush Male

There is one sighting in particular that I think we can all agree could make anyone’s personal “sightings bucket list” –  the extraordinary sight of a Lion in a tree. There is no denying that lions are in fact very capable climbers of trees. Londolozi alumni Pete Thrope and Ranger Nick Tennick have unpacked the very reasons that may lead to the need for lions to climb trees

• Tree Climbing Lions of Londolozi – Are Lions Good Climbers?
• Tree Climbing Lions of Londolzi

A recent sighting of a Kambula Lioness and her cubs resting along the trunk of a Marula tree

However, due to their body structures, behavioural factors and functional needs, there is not nearly as much of a need for them to climb trees. Therefore, making a sighting of a lion in a tree all the more special.  Over the years Londolozi’s guides, trackers and guests alike have been treated to some pretty spectacular sightings of lions in trees. However, a recent sighting of one of the Ndzhenga Males was an absolute first for me. A true “once-in-a-lifetime sighting”.

We set off on an afternoon drive to find one of the dominant Ndzhenga Males who we knew had been separated from his brother and the Kambula Pride the night prior. After an incredible tracking effort by Geshom Mathebula, who found this impressive male settled down in an open clearing in the central parts of Londolozi. Being separated from his brother and the lionesses it was very likely that around sunset he would call, to advertise his presence and control over the territory but also to try and reunite with the other lions.

A Ndzhenga Male rests in an open clearing in the golden light.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we sat in hushed anticipation beside the dominant Ndzhenga Male. His powerful silhouette was framed by the fading light, and we found ourselves holding our breath, hoping for his deep, resonant roar that would reverberate through our chests. But just as the moment hung in suspense, the distant, urgent calls of alarming impalas pierced the evening air. In an instant, his ears perked up, and his demeanour shifted from calm to alert, the promise of his roar replaced by the swift response to the sounds of a potential meal.

A herd of impalas stand fixated on a nearby predator as the air is filled with the chorus of their unmistakable alarm calls.

The impressive male glided across the open crest, each stride purposeful as he homed in on the fading alarm calls. The tension in the air was palpable as he descended towards the riverbed, the landscape bathed in the soft hues of twilight. Just as the calls began to diminish, a new chorus of alarm calls erupted. It was not just the Ndzhenga Male responding this time; the Ximungwe Female, appeared, drawn by the same sounds.

The Ximungwe Female peers through the long grass as she investigates a nearby herd of Impalas.

As the excitement unfolded, Ranger Shaun D’Araujo had just discovered the cause behind the initial alarm calls. Just upstream in the Maxabene Riverbed, he had come across a female leopard who had a freshly hoisted impala kill in the branches of an impressive jackalberry tree. A ripple of anticipation shot through the vehicle, knowing that a dramatic sight was just a short distance away.

As the Ndzhenga Male locked eyes with the Ximungwe Female, the tension between predator and predator crackled in the air. In a burst of power, he lunged towards her, forcing her to swiftly retreat up a nearby leadwood tree. Satisfied with her hasty retreat, the lion paused only for a moment before his senses led him back to the task at hand. The scent of the impala kill, pulled him onward as he resumed his pursuit, leaving the Ximungwe Female perched high above.

We arrived at the scene of the hoisted impala under the cover of darkness, our spotlights illuminating the scene in the towering jackalberry tree above us. Just as our spotlights caught the impala’s body draped over the branches, a sudden flash of movement startled us – a leopard with eyes wide with alarm, leapt from the tree.

She scampered past our vehicles and disappeared into the shadows. In that instant, the Ndzhenga Male emerged, his domineering presence as he stood beneath the tree.

We watched in utter disbelief as the massive Ndzhenga Male, defying his bulk, leapt into the towering tree with surprising agility. His powerful limbs propelled him upward, as he closed in on the impala carcass. We were in complete shock, mesmerized by the sight – lions were known to climb, but this? Just how high was he willing to go? As he reached the prize, we could only marvel at the sheer determination and strength of this male. However, the scene was far from over…

For two hours, we sat in awe watching the Ndzhenga Male as he carefully navigated the branches, trying to devise a plan to descend with his meal. The scene was a mix of tension and fascination as he struggled to balance his massive frame while eyeing the impala. Just when it seemed he might attempt the descent, the unbelievable scene was broken by the sudden arrival of three Kambula Cubs (that were already missing from the rest of the pride), their curious eyes fixed on their father above. Their unexpected presence only complicated the male’s predicament, and instead of risking the climb down and having to share with the youngsters, he made a decisive choice. “Settling” into a more “stable” position, he began to feed right there in the tree, we watched this extraordinary display of adaptability and power.
It just goes to show that you never know what you might be privileged enough to witness while on safari. A true “once in a lifetime sighting”!