As the lioness approached the impala on the Okavango Delta in Botswana, photographer Grant Atkinson thought there was only one winner in this battle of nature.

The perfectly camouflaged lioness lunges at the unsuspecting impala who leaps to avoid the powerful paw as it swipes an arc across its back

The lioness bares its sharp teeth as it attempts to bite into the impala’s hind quarter while the predator’s paw grapples with the fleeing animal’s trailing leg

According to Mr Atkinson: ‘He said: ‘I was excited by the possibility of witnessing a hunt. Although it happens quite frequently that the prey animals catch sight of the lions, so I tried to temper my anticipation.

The lioness has one chance of biting the fleet-footed impala as it makes its escape but is unable to clamp its jaws down on the trailing hoof just a few inches away

Following its dramatic leap to safety, the impala has established an unassailable two length lead on the lioness who is forced to admit defeat