It’s astonishing how the African bushveld never ceases to amaze, even the lucky few that get to live in it every single day. We have had the most amazing start to our winter season here at Amakhosi!
Garth and Joy from the USA joined us for their deepest darkest Africa experience in the past week, visiting our beautiful country for the first time. On the afternoon of their arrival they approached their ranger with a special request. With it being Joy’s first ever visit to Africa, she really wanted to see the king of the beasts; and never did we imagine what would be in-store for them during their stay with us.
The first sighting we had of the northern pride of lions was on their first drive that same afternoon. It was only a long distance visual and we spotted the whole pride on the banks of the Mkuze River, near the Mziki bridge crossing which is the one nearest to the lodge. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get to close to them as the area they had picked to lie in was impossible to reach by vehicle.
The next morning both ranger and guests were very excited to head out, as they had heard the lions calling most of the night... So a quick coffee at the lodge and they were off…
It wasn’t a far way to go, when we found the whole pride except the two dominant males, lying in a clearing close to the road, waiting for the rays of the sun to grace their golden coats. Joy was ecstatic; being a keen photographer she finally had the opportunity to photograph one of the most iconic creatures of Africa, up close and personal.
We spent our whole morning drive, watching the lions soaking up the winter sun. What a thrilling treat…and it wasn’t over…
After a fantastic morning, we could not ask for more, but had no idea what was lying in wait for us that afternoon…
At high tea, Joy, still thrilled with the morning’s events told their ranger that she was certain she heard lions roaring just before they came up for high tea. The ranger thought it a bit odd for lions to be roaring at that time of day, but it was definitely worth checking out. We left the lodge and 5 minutes later we had reached the spot that we had left them at in the morning; there was no sign of them. We turned the vehicle off to listen and that’s when we heard them…they were on a kill! Off-roading towards the sound we located most of the youngsters squabbling over the remains of a very large warthog. This is what she must have heard! Exhilarated we sat with the lions the whole afternoon again and watched as they fed. The sun started setting bringing this amazing day to an end.
What a day it’s been; a day of lions at Amakhosi!
