Up, over and away... for one more day (+ photos)

Photo / Jozef Dzwonnik

Capturing these amazing images of a South African kudu bull hurdling over a pack of waiting lions was a "once in a lifetime experience" for the tourist who took them.

The montage of photographs shows the series of events which occurred after a lion chased the kudu bull from the bushes of Shamwari Game Reserve, on the Eastern Cape, while three other lionesses waited for him.

Just as the male lion was about to pounce, the kudu made a gigantic vault over the lions who were waiting to capture their prey.

British tourist Jozef Dzwonnik leapt for his camera when he saw the lions gang up on the kudu.

"It was incredible. I couldn't quite believe what was happening because I was taking the pictures, but afterwards, when it sunk in, I couldn't believe I'd seen it," he told the Herald.

Mr Dzwonnik was on a four-day safari at the park with his partner and said he felt honoured to have experienced it.

"I never thought we'd get to see something like that. It really was a once in a lifetime experience."

The lions tried to chase the kudu, but could not keep up because the safari vehicle was in the way.

But the lions got the last laugh - the day after his heroic leap, the kudu was eaten by the pack of four lions.

According to the reserve's owner, Steve Bailey, the bull was wounded during the jump which made it easier for the lions to track him.