I was on my last game drive in Liwonde National Park, before leaving Malawi. I was alone in the car with McLoud, who over the years had become more a friend than a guide. I was taking pictures of a malachite kingfisher, by the Shire River, from the safari car, with a hippo and her calf in the background. Suddenly, all hell broke loose. A huge crocodile lounged forward to attack the baby hippo but met the protective mother instead. A quick fight followed, which lasted about 20 seconds. I managed to take 15 pictures in quick succession with my D700 Nikon camera fitted with my 500mm lens. Then the crocodile retreated.
McLoud and I were absolutely gobsmacked by what we had just witnessed but felt incredibly privileged to see something like this.
Date: 13/06/2010
Location: Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Photographer: Arnaud Germain
