Tales From The Bush

By: Mindy Roberts / Photos: Norman Carr Safaris

There seems to be something new on the menu for a particular pride of lion in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Where once buffalo was the food of choice, these nine lion (a splinter group from a big pride) seem to have taken a liking to hippopotamus.

Hippos generally lack survival instincts as they aren’t normally preyed upon. For this reason, it isn’t unheard of for opportunistic juvenile lions to take down a hippo, Abraham Banda, senior guide at Norman Carr Safaris, explained. Additionally, the lack of rains this year has led to many hippos making solitary trips out of water, and the pride seems to making the most of this development. In the last few months, the pride has killed six hippo in the area— and there have been many more attempts.

Lions tend to specialize in killing certain prey, and this pride is growing more and more confident with its hippo-hunting skills. It is a goodsized pride—nine individuals with one adult female, two sub-adult males, and six sub-adult females. When hunting a juvenile hippo, a few members of the pride distract the mother while others overwhelm the juvenile. Interestingly, they wear it down until they can easily attack it and immobilize it, rather than the traditional strangulation or asphyxiation. These photos were taken at Norman Carr Safaris’ Chinzombo camp.

No one is entirely sure why the lions’ behavior has changed over the last few months. Johnathan Merkle from the Zambian Carnivore Programme, who monitors lion in the region, points out that they are still taking down other prey, but with poor rains this year there is more and more opportunity to target hippo as water pools, rivers, and lagoons dry up.

So watch this space as the Luangwa heats up and water becomes increasingly scarce; we’re pretty sure there will be ongoing reports of these lions and their new dinnertime favourites.

By: Vicky Austin

It goes without saying that everyone on safari has some sense of adventure. In Zambia, we like to take that one step further—literally. Walking through the bush, tracking lions on foot, or skirting around a herd of elephant is not for the faint-hearted. Zambia is where walking safaris began. But what about those looking for even more adventure? Why not make the bush your home for the night?

As you settle down for the evening around the campfire, stories will be exchanged and your chef will cook your braii over the hot coals. After dinner you’ll be ready to sleep. Enjoy curling up in a comfortable roll bed with nothing but a mosquito net between you and the beautiful African night sky.

It’s not called a 5 (million) star bed for nothing!

During the night, it’s likely you’ll hear the whoop of a hyena, the low rumble of lions, and possibly the sawing rasp of a leopard – it depends on how deeply you sleep!