Trip to Africa - Lions in Kruger National Park

October 17, 2019
Also in Kruger National Park we saw prides of lions on 4 or 5 occasions.

 We were surprised on one occasion when they were walking right down the road.  Several safari jeeps like ours pull up and the lions were walking right next to us.

Video of lions along the road.

 They seemed to be ignoring us and walked right by us, about two dozen large lions.

 Then we saw the reason.  Off on the right of the road a little ways back was a small group of impalas.  The lions were trying to sneak up on them for a kill.

Video of Impala.

 They didn't even look at us in the cars.  Our guide told us they were probably using the jeeps for cover to sneak up on their prey and to mask their smell.

Video of lions watching the prey and stalking along the road.

 They would creep forward a little and then crouch down, then creep forward some more.

The lions were getting closer and closer to their prey, poor unsuspecting Impalas.

 They got pretty close.  We were so luck to see this because it's really rare for tourists to see an actual lion hunt and attack.

Oops, an Impala spotted the lions.

Finally a couple of the lions made a charge for the impalas.

Video of lions charging for the Impalas.  The impalas took off.  They were too swift for the lions and got away.  Better luck next time lions.