Our day at Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa started like any other morning. Wake-up at 06:00, coffee at 06:15, and depart at 06:30. My guests and I weren’t sure if we would locate anything we hadn’t seen yet, particularly the elusive lioness. We decided to casually drive in search of the cheetah and her three cubs, our favorite sighting thus far!
A Sudden Encounter with a Blue Wildebeest
After some general game viewing, I decided to head to the southern section of the reserve for a coffee break. Shortly after, we continued the search for the mother cheetah. Just as I was announcing my game plan, I was forced to stop my radio transmission halfway… We had set our eyes on a very stressed blue wildebeest in the middle of the road!
The Lioness and the Classic Bite
While my guests were busy taking photographs, I wondered if the wildebeest had seen a cheetah or a leopard. It seemed reluctant to move forward on the open piece of road. I noted something behind it, though I couldn’t make it out at first. We stopped our vehicle, and to our surprise, the wildebeest leaped over some large rocks, nearly breaking its back in the process! Then, right in front of us, we saw a lioness and a second, half-dead wildebeest, desperately calling out for help.
At that moment, our presence was noticed, and the lioness released the half-dead wildebeest. She stared at us for a few seconds, though it felt much longer. While all this was happening, the dazed wildebeest stumbled away. In a last desperate effort, it looked the lioness right in the eyes… We knew its fate would soon be sealed. The wildebeest stumbled away, and the lioness swiftly finished it off with a classic bite to the neck.
Another remarkable morning not to be forgotten soon!
Telling of the tale done by Sibusiso H Nzima (Mhondoro Field Guide)
Image credit: Ms. Anna Steenstra
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