Huge thanks to Marc Mol for this contribution to our blog. Marc is a repeat client of The Wild Source and we have featured some of his extraordinary photos from previous safaris on this blog in the past.

For photographers Marc has included detailed info for each photo. For the rest of us the incredible action that brings out the best in predator and prey is on full display in this amazing pictorial from South Luangwa in Zambia. To see a gallery of more of Marc's stunning photos from his Zambia Safari click here.

All images in the gallery are copyright protected by Marc Mol.

Suicide month: A lion pride's battle with 2 buffalo in Zambia's Sth Luangwa NP

Have just returned from 4 weeks in the Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia, my 8th trip to the dark continent and my most incredible safari experience ever, as they say over there this time of year is known as suicide month!......................never a more apt word. 40+ deg's C (105+ F) most days with some tsetse flies to keep you honest.

Location

ALL images taken @ Fish Eagle lagoon, Luangwa River, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia late Oct 2011

Our Story Begins

5.41pm.

The no-tip tailed female from the Nsefu pride was the first to spot 2 male Buffalo drinking on the other side of the river and promptly crossed, followed by the others.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

5.44pm

By now all but the 3 pride coalition males had buffalo on their mind.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/320s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

Keeping focus on the central lion as she had my attention.

Photo Details:D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F

Photo © Marc Mol

5.46pm.

The pride were now closing the gap rapidly. (the other boy is just out of frame, upper left).

At this stage we were sure both knew they were being stalked, but they seemed to defiantly stand their ground.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/640s f/4 ISO6400 I now needed to up the ISO to 6400 & f/4 in order to keep a reasonable S/S.

Photo © Marc Mol

5.48pm. +temp still hovering close to 40C!

The activity was really ramping up now, as the no tail tip female the best & most experienced hunter of the pride led the way by climbing on the back of the first buffalo.

By now there were 3 adult females and 4 sub adults in the thick of it.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

We sat back and observed from a distance............. but now with my heart and excitement level racing I needed to be closer.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/400s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

5.56pm.

Having finally positioned our vehicle closer as the action now started to spread to the river section making for some exciting water chase/dance routine sequences.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/200s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

The other buffalo left of frame portrayed unbelievable calmness as his mate was copping a full round house clawing on his back.

At times the rest of the pride even took time out to grab a drink as the battle developed into a series of rounds.

I, unfortunately didn't have all day to capture a lot more of the action as light as diminishing fast.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/250s f/4 ISO6400

Photo © Marc Mol

7.04pm

An hour has passed and after much mayhem one of the buffalo's has become stuck in the thick gooey mud of the riverbank and the pride seized the moment and began tucking in by taking out the tail and biting the spine, subsequently paralysing it.

During the time it became stuck, and with the pride concentrating it's attention on this hapless guy the other buff headed for the safety of the scrub, however it amazingly returned to help it's bro and fatally paid the price with the pride turning on it, this made sense as it was less of a risk with the other now drawing the attention of large crocs with it trying feebly to free itself from it's muddy grave.

Photo Details: I used my SB900 flash zoom function in this image to try and capture the reflecting croc eyes in the BG.
D3s 500VR +SB900 1/60s f/4 ISO400, slight crop top & bottom to pano.

Photo © Marc Mol

7.16am (next morning)

It's now the following morning and most of the pride are digesting their meal and relaxing in the early morning rays, the no-tip tail female however couldn't resist one last antagonistic confrontation with the mud stuck buffalo which had somehow managed to turn and face the shoreline.
...............truly mortal enemies!

Hours passed and with the lions being sated, didn't bother him again, this poor fellow perished later that evening, falling victim to some large crocodiles. The whole battle experience was truly a memorable experience.

Photo Details: D3s 500VR 1/2500s f/5.6 ISO800

Photo © Marc Mol

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