Male Lions Like Swimming Extra Than You Assume!

Some sightings stick with you lengthy after they’ve ended. This was one among them. On the ultimate afternoon drive of 2025, one thing unbelievable occurred. Its at all times been my dream to observe a lion swim!

In the morning, we determined to cross into the northern components of the reserve to go and see the 2 members of the Kambula Pride with 5 cubs that had been discovered feeding on a younger giraffe kill. We arrived on the scene to solely a few hyenas and vultures ending off the scraps. While we had been sitting there, we obtained a radio name from a automobile on the southern financial institution of the sand river saying that one of many Gijima Males had crossed by the river and was heading in direction of the place we had been, because the vultures descending had most certainly drawn him in, and there was a chance to scavenge a free meal. And arrive he did, however sadly for him, there was little or no remaining. We had an unbelievable sighting of him chasing vultures away and ending the stays, however this isn’t the sighting I wish to speak about.

A number of hours later, now heading out on the afternoon drive with the information that the Gijima Male was nonetheless within the north, we determined to remain south of the River and discover a bit. All the whereas, realizing that at some stage the Gijima Male would wish to return south. After an awesome drive round, and after we had been on our approach again to camp, the solar was nearly to set, we obtained a radio name from a automobile within the North saying he was up and heading for the river. We raced over to the southern financial institution, the place he had crossed within the morning and arrange completely.

The river was nonetheless flowing strongly, and crossing at all times comes with dangers. Surprisingly, lions are awkwardly highly effective swimmers, however they’re additionally cautious, and water is without doubt one of the few issues that may put them at an actual drawback.

Everything got here collectively in these remaining moments of the 12 months 2025.

Enjoy this number of a memorable sighting…

It was a sighting I’ll always remember, and one which jogged my memory simply how unbelievable these lions are, particularly once they transfer past the boundaries we predict they need to keep inside. Its in occasions the place animals step exterior there consolation sones that result in magic like this.