On a recent game drive at Lion Sands in South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park, guides and guests witnessed an extraordinary—and unexpected—moment during a pride of lions’ hunt. A pride of 18 lions had successfully taken down two adult African buffalo, showcasing the raw power and teamwork required to bring down such formidable prey. But what followed was both surprising and oddly humorous.
As the pride rushed in to feed, a young lion cub, eager and inexperienced, found itself in an unusual predicament. In its haste to feed, the cub began eating from the rear end of one of the buffalo carcasses—a common entry point due to softer tissue and easier access to internal organs. However, the cub got more than it bargained for. It pushed too far into the buffalo’s anus and found its head stuck inside the carcass.
Guests watched in astonishment—and some laughter—as the cub struggled to free itself. Older lions, seemingly unbothered, continued feeding while the cub wrestled with the awkward situation. Eventually, with some effort and a lot of squirming, the young lion managed to wriggle free, messy but unharmed.
Though bizarre, this event highlights the intense feeding dynamics within a large pride and the inexperience of young predators learning how to handle a kill. Nature, while brutal, often comes with unexpected moments of comedy.
Such rare sightings are part of what makes a safari in Kruger National Park so unforgettable—where drama, survival, and even slapstick moments can unfold all within a single game drive.
