Big 5 Standoff in the Timbavati: Lions, Elephants and a Leopard

The third-last day of September was overcast and cool, and it was clear that some significant wet weather was just around the corner. As had been the daily pattern during the preceding week, the Bateleur guests were fortunate to find themselves following the Sark Pride during a guided game drive in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. That particular morning, the pride consisted of two adult lionesses, seven young cubs, and one of the dominant males. And it was immediately obvious to all that something interesting was unfolding.

The faces and front legs of the two lionesses were covered in blood, and their purposeful movements suggested that they were most likely leading the rest of the pride towards a recent kill. As the Bateleur group followed the lions, the tracker became aware of a herd of elephants nearby. The elephants were noticeably unsettled, repeatedly lifting their trunks to smell the air and showing signs that they were far from happy with the lions’ presence.

Unphased and undeterred, the lions strode forward until they arrived at the site where the two lionesses had killed a zebra the night before. The time for feasting had arrived! But with the strong scent of lion floating on the wind, and ten tawny big cats clearly within their sights, the elephants were not prepared to simply stand by and watch. They began to repeatedly mock charge the lions, trying to pressure the pride to move out of their comfort zone. But hungry lions are not easily swayed, especially when a big male is present, and the Bateleur guests were treated to a remarkable standoff between two of Africa’s most iconic animals.

Eventually, the discontented elephants moved back to create a more comfortable distance, allowing the lions space to drag the zebra carcass beneath the cover of some foliage. But just as it seemed as though the drama was beginning to settle, the encounter took another unexpected turn. Perched on his seat at the very front of the vehicle, the Bateleur tracker suddenly spotted something moving amongst the elephants that one wouldn’t normally expect to find within a herd.

The male leopard had picked up the scent of the zebra kill and had ventured into the area, hoping for an opportunity. It is unclear why the elephants tolerated his presence amongst them, but the moment he became aware of the lions, the leopard disappeared. If any of the adult lions had detected him, the scene would have turned into a dramatic big cat fight, with the advantage sitting heavily with the much larger lions.

With a forest of long grey legs impeding his flight, the leopard’s options for escape were limited. To the delight of the guests, the tracker spotted him a short while later, perched high in a tree and still surrounded by the herd of disgruntled elephants. Understandably, the unfortunate leopard looked decidedly unhappy with the situation and, at the first opportunity, he quickly descended from the tree and slipped away into a nearby drainage line.

This was one of those extraordinary Timbavati encounters that remind us why every game drive is a unique adventure. You never quite know what the African bush is going to reveal.

Recent Sightings

As September drew to a close, a cold front moved in, and the Timbavati was subjected to heavy rain and unseasonably low temperatures for two days. The start of October saw a return to traditional spring weather for the region, with warm, sunny weather and dry conditions. October is often a fascinating transitional month in the Timbavati: dry bush and excellent visibility early in the month, but increasingly green vegetation, clouds, lightning, and thunderstorms as the month progresses.

After the standoff with the elephants, the Sark Pride stayed on their zebra kill for a few days, making the most of their meal despite the inclement weather. As the temperature improved, they moved off and provided us with two more incredible sightings of all 12 members of the pride together. The Mayambula Pride again proved to be far more elusive, providing us with one afternoon sighting of two of the lionesses and only tracks to follow on one beautiful morning.

Just before the heavy rain arrived, we tracked wild dogs and located them moving north. But after the rain had cleared, there was no further sign of them in the first few days of the new month. We also successfully tracked a herd of buffalo before they crossed into the neighbouring Klaserie reserve, one of many sightings of breeding herds and dagga boys enjoyed by our guests during the week.

The larger species are obviously easier to spot regardless of the weather, and the rhinos and elephants did not disappoint. The herds of elephants, in particular, were prevalent, providing multiple photo opportunities for our contented guests. Perhaps the highlight was a herd of elephants right on the Bateleur Safari Camp entrance road, mud bathing in the afternoon after the heavy rain had abated.

On that same afternoon game drive, we saw a breathtaking kudu bull, his magnificent, corkscrew-shaped spiral horns featuring about two and a half graceful twists. And despite the rain, our guests enjoyed many high-quality sightings of the beautiful plains game that graces the Timbavati in such healthy numbers.

Hyenas, honey badgers, and bush babies all played their unique parts in providing a well-rounded and memorable experience of the African bush. As did the raptors, where the African Hawk Eagle, the Tawny Eagle, and especially the Verreaux’s Eagle-owl featured prominently.

And what of the leopards? The reluctant third wheel in the Big 5 standoff disappeared down a drainage line and is probably still lying low. But the Bateleur guests were treated to six further leopard sightings during the week, most notably a beautiful female enjoying her recent duiker kill in the late afternoon sun.

Come rain or shine, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is a captivating place that never fails to reveal the wonders of the African bushveld. From the drama of the Big 5 encounters to the intensely earthy, fresh smell of the bush after the first significant rains, this is the place where all your senses are awakened, and you start to feel truly alive.

Breathe Africa – Bateleur Safari Camp