Lower Sabie Rest Camp

[Dindingwe]

I saw on latest sightings app yesterday people reporting lion and leopard across the river from the deck

I did not see the Leopard. We arrived at Lower Sabie at around 11:30. It seems the Lions have been there for some time and had already tried to catch something but failed. The hunt we saw begun at 12:15 and was successful.

Did they catch something, Dingwe?

They caught a poor zebra. I will post more photos, but I don't know in which thread to do so. There might be too many photos ...

[Richprins]

Here of course!

[Lisbeth]

There are never "too many photos"

[Dindingwe]

So it is on the 5th December, our last day in the Park. We arrive at Lower Sabie at 11:30. Three Lions (one male and two females) are under a tree right on the other side of the restaurant deck.

They are lying in the shade...

... sometimes standing to see some animals passing in the background.

After lunch (at about 12:15), we see Zebras and Wildebeests coming to drink, about only 200 meters at the right where the Lions are (we were with family from France; one asks me "The Zebras are crazy, they don't see the Lions ?" Feigning to know everything on wildlife I answer "They probably saw the Lions, but they are thirsty, and it is too hot for the Lions to hunt").

Elephants are already there too and one seems upset by the proximity of the Zebras. It tries to intimidate them, with little effect.

Another group of Zebras is also drinking, further on the right.

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

[Dindingwe]

The Elephants move on and the Zebras continue to arrive in the riverbed.

The Elephants cross the river towards the deck.

As I photography the Ellies, I suddenly notice a panic move in the Zebras / Wildebeest herd.

Indeed, a Lionness is running towards them, no too quickly.

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

Look at those muscles

[Dindingwe]

But she suddenly accelerates. The Zebras and Wildebeests climb back the edge of the river, some are fleeing in the riverbed.

Soon, she is right in the middle of the herd and the panic is at its peak.

The sand and dust in the air hide the view and I can't see the Lionness. The Zebras are still running everywhere to save their life.