LION JUMPS ON BUFFALO

LION LEAPS ON TO BUFFALO’S BACK BEFORE PREY INCREDIBLE SURVIVES PRIDE ATTACK

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A lion leaped on to a buffalo’s back before the prey incredibly survived an attack from the rest of the pride.

As Matthew Brink led a tour through the Greater Kruger, South Africa, in December 2025 a buffalo accidentally strolled into some predators.

Dramatic footage captured the moment the lions charged in attack with one of them jumping on to the escaping prey’s back.

The rest of the pride surrounded the buffalo but, despite biting and clawing at their prospective meal, the animal managed to survive.

“Despite being utterly exhausted itself, the bull managed to break free and escape. It was a powerful display.“
Matthew Brink

Matthew, from Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, said: “Even after years in the bush, moments like this stop you in your tracks.

“The sheer power, precision and relentless drive of a hunt is overwhelming to witness, raw, real, and far from comfortable.

“It’s nature stripped of filters. And this time, against all odds, it was the buffalo’s lucky day.

“These were all young, relatively inexperienced lions and still small in stature. In the end, the sheer size and strength of the buffalo proved too much.

“For close to an hour they chased the buffalo and repeatedly leapt onto its hindquarters, biting around the rear and tail in an attempt to bring it down.

“Despite being utterly exhausted itself, the bull managed to break free and escape. It was a powerful display.

“If there were say two big male lions, the buffalo would have been doomed.”

🦁Learn More About: Lions

🌍 Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands across Africa
🌱 Diet: Carnivore – mainly zebra, wildebeest, buffalo
⚖️ Weight: 120–250 kg
📏 Length: Up to 3.3 m (including tail)
⏳ Lifespan: 10–14 years in the wild
💨 Top speed: 80 km/h