Some mornings in the bush seem to gather momentum from the very beginning. Others make you work for it. This particular winter morning fell firmly into the second category.
We crossed the Sand River shortly after sunrise and headed north. The air was crisp, the light was soft, and the landscape was looking beautiful in the early morning glow. It felt like one of those mornings where anything could happen. Yet for much of the drive, very little did. We explored far into the northern reaches of the reserve, checking drainage lines, open clearings and a few of our usual hotspots. Despite the spectacular conditions, the bush remained unusually quiet. Every turn felt like it could reveal something exciting, but hour after hour we came up empty-handed.
Two young elephants stroll across Ximpalapala crest in the northern reaches of Londolozi. After a rather slow morning, this elephant herd gave us some amazing photographic opportunities.
Eventually, after hearing reports of lions further south, we decided it was time to change our fortunes and make our way back. As we approached the sighting, we found the four members of the Ntsevu Pride resting near a waterhole in an open clearing. The three lionesses and the young sub-adult male appeared relaxed at first, but something immediately felt different. One lioness lifted her head and fixed her gaze on something in the distance.
Then she stood up.
The first of the Ntsevu lionesses to notice some movement out in the distance.
It is amazing how quickly the mood can change amongst lions. Within moments, the other pride members seemed to sense that something was happening. One by one, they rose to their feet and began repositioning themselves. Through our binoculars, we eventually spotted the reason for the sudden interest, a herd of zebra feeding no more than a hundred metres away.
What followed was one of the best examples of coordinated lion hunting behaviour I have witnessed in some time. The first lioness began moving around the far left-hand side of the herd. Another lioness slowly worked her way around the opposite flank. Meanwhile, the young male and the third lioness advanced straight through the middle. We often talk about lions using a “bullhorn” formation when hunting, but it is not something you get to witness in such open terrain very often. Watching each lion independently take up their position was fascinating.
The concentration that these animals show when the time is right for a hunt is incredible. Eyes are locked on the target, and the muscles are now tensed.
As the distance between predator and prey closed, the tension began to build. Eventually, only the young male and one lioness remained visible to us. Slowly and deliberately, they crept closer and closer towards the unsuspecting zebra. Then suddenly, the young male accelerated. For a brief moment, I thought he had mistimed his run and completely ruined the hunt. The zebra erupted into chaos. Dust filled the air as the herd came charging directly towards us with lions in pursuit. The noise was incredible. Hooves thundered across the clearing as the zebra streamed past our vehicle.
Then, just as quickly as it had started, it appeared to be over. The lions regrouped and greeted one another as they often do after an unsuccessful attempt. Or so we thought. One lioness was nowhere to be seen. The young male suddenly stopped what he was doing. Whether he heard something or simply caught a scent on the breeze, I am not sure, but his attention immediately shifted. He turned and began trotting purposefully towards a nearby crest. As he disappeared over the rise and we carefully repositioned ourselves, the mystery was solved. There, hidden from our view the entire time, one of the lionesses had successfully brought down a zebra foal.
The young male lion was the first to join the other lionesses at the kill. His nose red with blood he briefly looked up between mouthfuls of zebra meat.
Let’s just say it was a bloody affair…
The young male wasted no time joining her, and within minutes, the rest of the pride arrived. What followed was a feeding frenzy as all four lions began gorging themselves on the spoils of an exceptionally well-executed hunt. What had started as a slow morning filled with little more than beautiful winter scenery had transformed into one of those sightings that remind you why patience is such an important part of safari.
The bush has a remarkable way of rewarding persistence. Sometimes all it takes is one final sighting to turn an ordinary drive into a memorable one.
Hi LGR. That blog about 4 of the 6 members of the small Ntsevu pride hunting a herd of zebra & killing a zebra foal was so very interesting indeed. It seemed like it was a very well coordinated hunt that ended with a small successful kill for the 4 members that took part in the hunt. I know at least a couple of the 3 adult lionesses of the Ntsevu pride have been seen mating with the 2 large Gajima males fairly recently, so it’ll be interesting to see if any of them fall very heavily pregnant with new cubs there at all. In fact, I don’t even know if any of them are pregnant there right now at the moment.
They have been a rather small pride for quite a long time now. The three young big teenagers in that small group must be about two and a half years old by now, and the two young lionesses have only got another couple of years to go before they’re considered adults and can mate at the age of four. It will be nice to see some new cubs on their way, after a rather long absence. I don’t know where they were when the other four members were busy hunting a herd of zebra not so long ago one day. I bet they were hiding somewhere nearby waiting to be called.
The two young teenage lionesses of the small pride will be a vital asset to their birth pride in just a couple of years time, when they’re old enough to mate, but it is still quite a while to wait yet. I expect the two young lionesses will stay and remain with their little birth pride for the rest of their lives, and they’re roughly two and a half years old now. I’m sure they will still take part in the hunts that the three adult lionesses take them out on altogether in the months and years to come and go. There’s no doubt that they will get support from all the other four.
The two young lionesses and one young male were all sired by the old Ndhzenga males, but it is incredible that they’ve all managed to avoid been killed by the two larger and stronger Gajima males so far. If they keep it that way, then they might make ideal breeding partners for the 2 bigger males in a couple of years time if they’re still there and around as well as managing to keep their territory. They don’t look like male lions to be messed about with over there at all, as they’re two of the biggest male lions around that you’ve had on your large property. If you will be able to tell me if any of those three adult lionesses are pregnant with new cubs or not at all, that will be so very greatly helpful & appreciated please. I’m only interested to know. Out of the small zebra foal they caught, well I am sure it didn’t last very long between them and will very soon be looking for another larger meal night or day.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 23.6.26
We had a very similar experience early one morning. The pride surrounded the vehicle, each lion takin its position in the formation as they eyed the herd of buffalo. The chase began and was incredibly fast as our vehicle followed the pride. Incredible sighting resulting in a memorable video.
What an exclamation point at the end of a peaceful game drive. I wonder how the lions determine who takes which position in a hunt, and if they always “play” the same position, or if they vary it up on a case by case basis? Selfishly, I’m glad it wasn’t the white filly.
What an incredible way to end your morning drive – finding lions and then witness the end result of their hunting technique. As always, enjoy the drive no matter what it doesn’t deliver as you never know how it will end.
Good story-telling, Bryce! I was there with you!
Hi Bryce, that was exciting to watch the whole episode of stalking and catching a Zebra foal. The young male lion is a gorgeous looking male. Well they had full bellies for that day. Lovely photos 📸.
Bryce, what an incredible sighting for you and your guests, one that they will never forget. I’m jealous!
Great sighting, Bryce.
Hi Bryce, how sad it is for the young zebra, lions have an Animal to feed on. Very beautiful, emotional pictures especially of the lioness!