“The lioness is watching that herd of buffaloes,” our guide Jonah whispers, shutting off the engine of his safari vehicle. He can sense a predatory tension in the air but, outnumbered by about six to one, the odds are well and truly stacked against the big cats. The lionesses break away from their cubs, hoping to surround the herd. The cubs follow shortly after, treading carefully towards the standoff: the buffaloes can see the lions and vice versa – it is a case of who makes the first move. “They’re going for it,” our guide says in excitement, kicking our vehicle into gear and driving at breakneck speed in pursuit of the action. Our view is clouded by a cloud of dust from charging buffaloes. For the lions, it is an opportunity missed. “One of the lions had caught a calf, but her hold was not strong enough, so it slipped,” Jonah sighs. Encounters like these are rare but often come to those with the patience to stop and observe. In Qorokwe, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the slowing down happens instantly through the scattered acacia woodlands, the wild sage-scented wind that hits your face, the drama of dead, sculptural trees and wildlife at every turn. We watch lions heading into denser forests at dusk, hyenas scouting for their next kill by dawn, teenage elephants showing their antics and gnarled buffaloes. Read the full article here: https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/wilderness-safaris-botswana-africa-travel-safari-sustainable-travel-wildlife-b1081120.html Subscribe to the Evening Standard: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Evening-Standard for latest breaking news from the UK, US and around the world, plus podcasts and features. Evening Standard on socials: Check out our full video catalog: null Videos, daily editorial and more: https://www.standard.co.uk/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/eveningstandard Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eveningstandard and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evening.standard