A wild safari encounter: Trapped between an elephant and a lion

Imagine you’re on a safari, witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat. Now, picture yourself caught between a pride of lions and a giant elephant – an experience a driver at South Africa’s Kruger National Park will never forget.

This extraordinary encounter took place when a modest blue vehicle was held up by a double obstacle: a massive elephant at one end and a dozen lions from the Vurhami pride lounging around. Fortunately, the driver was never in danger. They patiently waited for the elephant to slowly move before skillfully maneuvering around the resting lions, illustrating the unexpected adventures that can happen on a safari.

These thrilling moments were captured by Stella Stewart, a 59-year-old housewife, in 2013, with her photos only recently released. Stella ensured the driver was never in danger despite the unusual scene. She explained, “Neither the elephant nor the lions showed any aggression. It made me curious how long the driver would have to wait for the lions to move.”

The elephant barely gave the vehicle a second glance, but the lions seemed cautious of both the vehicle and the elephant. Stella recalled, “I’ve seen obstacles caused by lions and elephants before, but this was the first time I saw a vehicle stuck in between them.” As the elephant gradually moved to the other side of the road, the unidentified driver skillfully navigated around the lions, careful not to disturb their relaxing time, and continued on the unforgettable safari journey.