Edward Selfe Photo Safaris

Initially, she lay on the bank and watched; but as the crocodiles accumulated around the carcass she moved cautiously through the mud, entered the lagoon and waded through the murky water. She was met with aggression from the largest crocodiles which did not want to share their meal, but each time they approached she snarled and swiped her massive paws and they retreated. In the end she prevailed, feeding from one side of the carcass while the crocodiles fed from the other side! We watched as she filled her stomach with the putrid meat, happy to know that this meal would support her milk supply for the hungry cubs. After she had eaten her fill, she retreated to the bank and the crocodiles moved in on all sides, ‘rolling’ to rip chunks of meat off the carcass.

We hoped that there would be more action at the hippo carcass in the morning, so we headed there early to see if the rest of the Hollywood Pride (or perhaps hyenas) had moved in to feed. Initially there seemed to be little change, but I heard nearby squirrels calling in alarm so I searched through an area of thickets and we found a huge male lion approaching the lagoon. He had also presumably picked up the smell of the hippo and had come to take his share. He must be one of the best-looking lions in the Luangwa so we were thrilled to see him on our last morning.

He was tentative in his approach, undoubtedly aware that he was crossing into the territory of the four young males, but he quickly rounded the lagoon and started to feed. At first, the two lionesses made way for him. However, after he had fed for a while, one of the females greeted him and they rested next to each other on the bank. Such a fantastic lion should certainly hold a pride of his own, but it’s hard to see how he might overcome the strength and numbers of the coalition of the four ‘Nomads’.