Close call: Incredibly the wildebeest manages to jump up at the last moment as the crocodile was about to strike - and somehow manages to bound off unscathed. (Photo/Mail Online)

But incredibly the wildebeest jumps up and twist its body away at the last moment - and somehow manages to bound off unscathed.

The stunning images, which show herds of wildebeest crossing a river in the reserve, were captured by wildlife photographer Andrey Gudkov.

'One of the most dramatic moments happened towards the end of the day and developed into one big photo-story,' he said.

'I was watching one wildebeest, having lost its little one, as she was lashing from one bank to another hoping to find it. But all the attempts were in vain because it was impossible to hear a calf's shouts in the enormous roaring herd.

'She found herself alone on the opposite bank of the river and needed to cross one more time. A huge crocodile was waiting in the river to grab the easy trophy.

'The wildebeest jumped into the river with no hesitation even though she had definitely seen the crocodile. The bank was about sixty feet away.