Finding lions in the bush can be challenging and all too often, it is a matter of chance.

In some areas there are certain clues which need to be linked together to enable those who know how to track them.

Because today was the last day of the current safari, everyone wanted (again) to experience every moment, and before sunrise, they were in the Plains in search of the lions and buffalo who had been so very close together yesterday.

There was a thick mist again, making magical photography.

Now, how to find the lions and buffalo on those vast Plains. The first clue is to watch out for the Cattle Egrets. They return to the buffalo in the very early dawn from their overnight roosting places. So, follow the egrets, and there are the buffalo.

Now, knowing that the lions are close by, it is simply a matter of circling the herd if buffalo in ever increasing circles until they are found.

And yes, Silver-Eye and her pride are indeed encountered less than 800 meters from the herd.

With the first rays of sun, the buffalo woke up and started to move around. This was the signal for the lions to start.

The interaction from now on was quite amazing. The lions would chase the buffalo ...

Excitement, dust, water, a frenzy!

Then the buffalo would turn and chase the lions.

Then a standoff - until repeated again.

The lions chased the buffalo through a river .. a heart stopping moment as it became clear that the buffalo would not make it through. But the river slowed the lions, too,

and before long they were being chased back yet again ...

There were loud groans when the time came to depart. The ODP Safari group had deferred this moment to the last possible second, and sadly, in the middle of the exciting action, it was time to dash off to catch their flight home.

On the way back the elation about the wonderful experiences, phenomenal photographs and unforgettable moments will be with everyone forever ...