A lion that escaped from a private South African game reserve has been terrorising residents of the small northern town of Makhado for a week, police said on Thursday.

Police have been hunting for the beast, but so far have been chasing their tails.

"We have been informed that a male lion escaped from Safari Lodge outside Makhado last week," said police spokesman Nechindamatsi Marubeni.

"It was last sighted yesterday (Wednesday)...read more here: Lion terrorize SA town