In the 19th century, a white hunter is preparing to lead a safari into the South African jungle. Through the rudeness of the hunter's employer, the natives are stirred to anger and revenge, and as a result, he and his party are attacked and brutally tortured to death by the tribesmen. The hunter's punishment is to be stripped of his clothing, weapons, and food and set free. Given a headstart, he is to compete in "The Chance of the Lion," an ancient game of survival in which he will be hunted by tribe members who have killed 10 lions. He wards off starvation by eating raw plants and snakes and stealing food; cornered, he uses his cunning to escape; when trapped, he saves his life by killing his foe. After days of fighting both the jungle and his pursuers, the man reaches sight of a mission fort. Although he is almost caught, his luck and courage carry him through, and he crawls to safety. As he does so, he looks back and sees the chief tribesman award him with a salute of respect.