Could be an ancient fear of lions?
Same reason they don’t surf or swim— atavistic memories from the slave ships and the “sharks that still follow the course of the slave ships, even today” (some idiot congressman posited this ridiculous notion). LOL.
If you’re camping in lion country you need a kraal of thornbushes, around the camp.
Swimming in african rivers— not generally recommended, black or white, as the crocodiles make no distinction for supper.