“Captivating images have recently emerged, depicting a lion’s unexpected display of vulnerability as it desperately climbs a tree to escape a charging herd of buffalo.”

Despite retreating to the unusual safety zone the danger wasn’t quite over as the buffalo – prone to trampling – gathered under the tree to wait for the lion to fall.

Charles Comyn, a 63-year-old ex-army official, was exploring the stunning Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya with his wife when he stumbled across the incredible scene.

The lion sprung from its hiding place and quickly scaled the tree to avoid being trampled by the angry buffalo

But as they remained below the tree waiting for the lion to come down, it started slipping towards the ground

The lion had been hiding in the grass in what witnesses suspected was an attempt to hunt a baby buffalo

However, it didn’t anticipate the fierce reaction it would receive from the adults guarding the newborn

The pair were on the last safari of their holiday but said they had no inkling that their lasting memory was yet to come.

Together with their experienced guide the couple parked next to a herd of buffalo who were carefully guarding a new-born calf.

But the animals – known for unpredictable behaviour – suddenly became nervous.

Mr Comyn said: ‘All of a sudden, literally out of nowhere, a male lion sprang out from his hiding place hightailing for a nearby tree with the buffalo now starting to give chase.

‘It didn’t take long before the lion had scrambled up the tree, fearing for its life.

‘The marauding buffalo circled below, smelling the lion. They were not going to let it get away.’

The herd had realised the lion was stalking the young buffalo and weren’t about to give it a lucky escape, he said.

But after a few seconds of clinging onto the tree the cowering lion became to tremble and tire and started to slide down the bark.

After it fell from the tree trunk, the lion wasted no time speeding away across the savannah

Photographer Charles Comyn said the lion appeared to be ‘doomed’ prior to making his quick getaway

Out of desperation the big cat let out a snarl and suddenly leapt from the tree, ran towards Mr Comyn’s jeep and disappeared into the bush.

Mr Comyn said: ‘It was a hair-tingling moment. The lion could not hang for long – one could really sense that he was almost doomed – so he had to make another attempt to flee.

‘Very quickly the buffalo resumed their early morning grazing. It was only then that we spotted the newly born calf in the middle of the herd, which they obviously had been protecting from the lion who possibly had spotted a potential light breakfast.

‘What a magical, unforgettable, and as we later learnt, unheard of occurrence.’