Safari Stories

HWANGE LION EXPERIENCES:

A much-needed getaway in one of our favourite places (Hwange National Park) is what we both craved. My fiancé, Mike and I, had meticulously planned our days in order to fit everything in and spending some muchneeded alone time was top priority. Once arriving we settled into our room at Iganyana Tented Camp as any usual guest would and unpacked for our stay. The main purpose of our trip was to spot the elusive lion. It had been a long three-day search and Mike and I, along with our two trusted guides, had our eyes peeled on the long, thick November veld all day. Finally, as we approached the Hwange airstrip, we came across the most majestic, beautiful lioness and two others on what seemed to be a warthog kill. We sat in awe watching the three cats for around 10 minutes, absolutely fascinated. Unbeknownst to us, close by in the thicket lay seven small fluffy beige cubs. The photographed female noticed us looking at her spawn and approached us, stopping for a moment to stare us down and let out a low growl, warning us not to get any closer and to signal mealtime to her cubs. It was the most precious sighting, watching them as they came bouncing out, stumbling over the long green grass with their clumsy paws.

For about 30-40 minutes we sat gazing in amazement at the sheer attitude of the small cubs, all very curious as [ WRITER: Kyrie Taylor / PHOTO: Kytaylorphotography ]

to what we were and why we were there. One or two even mock charged us every now and then, humorous to say the least. As the sun started to set, we had no option but to pull ourselves away and leave to return to camp. Unfortunately I didn’t have the correct lens on my camera to get close up pictures of the cubs, but this was by far our best and most adrenaline pumped experience in sighting a lion to date. It will be forever etched in my mind of the wonders that lay hidden in the African wilderness.

[ WRITER / PHOTO: Leigh-Anne Williams ] On a sunny, already unbearable hot, early morning drive through Hwange National Park, heading towards Guvalala Pan, looking for cheetah I so desperately wanted to see, we happened to come across this herd of sable antelope. They appeared very distracted by something in the distance and on high alert, barely acknowledging our presence. We followed their gaze across the expanse of the hazy landscape when great excitement broke out as we were convinced the movement we had spotted was cheetah, apparently, we need our eyes checked, as upon closer investigation we discovered two lionesses hunting the sable. Our presence, when noticed by the brazen hunters, gave the sable the perfect opportunity to take flight and escape - we had disturbed breakfast. Indignantly the lionesses wandered off and we followed at a distance. From behind an anthill out popped some young ones, not babies by any means but still cubs nonetheless, what a sight.

We spent the better part of an hour watching them and their antics as they playfully followed every little movement in the car, their interest piqued, eyes never wavering, curious and inquisitive gazes. Occasionally they would cautiously wander toward the vehicle to investigate. Perhaps they were hoping we would replace the breakfast we unintentionally robbed them of. Capturing lions comfortable in their natural habitat, hunting, sleeping and playing will keep me returning to this wonderous landscape time and again.