SANParks.org Forums

Taken at Nkumbe in June 2005 with 900mm Lens

Hi Guys,

Just got news in from my brother who's currently in Kruger and he's had an experience that just makes me . Can't really believe it.

This has happened this morning (18/07/09) about an hour ago. They had arrived at Nkumbe look-out point and were viewing the scene in front of them when they spotted a large herd of buffalo down below. Further scans around they " saw " what they thought were lion lying under a bush.

It turned out that they were actually looking at 4 cheetahs. The next thing the cheetahs burst out and launched a chase at the buffalo herd. (All this is unfolding in front of them like something out of " Animal Planet " scene). Wishful thinking or not ? Obviously they weren't succesful and the buff herd regrouped and advanced towards the cheetah who backed off.

Whether the cheetah really hunting in the hope of maybe getting a calf or just having a I don't know. What do you guys think ?

They have captured it on video. Can't wait to see it & hopefully put it on forum.

Helo boyZ

bare with me as i try to upload the pictures. my 1st time using this sony slr camera with a 70-300mm lens so my shots might not be the greatest but it was a extraordinary sighting nonetheless. a liitle snippet of events:


the view of the plains - approx herd of 200 buffalo in centre


close up of the herd


unfortunately due to the images being downsized, you wil not get the full quality of the shots. I will in time crop some of the photos and upload the close ups i manage to get.

continued to next post...

the cheetahs - 4 in total - 3 in view - 1 cheetah was a liitle further away from the pack


cheeath stalking the approaching buffalo. 2 cheetah behind the shrub, 1 further back


more pictures to be posted this evening...gtg

Rhino bottom left!There were a few animals like ellies and ostriches and kudu but ja didnt have a great cam but got a DSLR now!

herd now almost finish passing cheetah- notice the lone cheetah behind the front 2


lone cheetah moves to the front pack


lone cheetah charges for the buffalo

running, still trying to reach his target


closeup of the previous picture - notice the 2 calves front and back

still trying to penetrate the herd


closeup of previous picture

the attacker comes to a screeching halt


closeup of previous image

cheetah "time for a u-turn" the plot thickens


cheetah to buffalo "guys i was jus messing around, take it easy, nothing to get upset about" the hunter is now the hunted

buffalo charging the cheetahs


whole herd comes back to gang up on cheetahs


closeup image

buffalo have chased back the cheetah far enough for their comfort


closeup image


guys unfortunately this is where my story ends. hopefully ill be able to better this experience soon and get better shots to share with yourll. we busy working on uploading the video soon. keep well

Nkumbe a few days ago - there were more than 100 elephant spread out over the plain , black rhino & calf , many giraffe , not a wildebees or zebra in sight ...



A passing rainstorm .

Check this out from Public sightings


www.sanparks.org/gallery/v/sightings/kr ... 5.JPG.html