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the pride feeds

on Jun 28, 2013

The morning chill penetrated all layers as we left Bush Lodge for safari before the sun had even risen. With the glimmer of first light on the horizon, we set out on another amazing journey into the African wilderness. The fresh air left our noses and ears tingling with the bite of cold but all was forgotten when we found the tracks of the Southern Pride. I climbed out of the vehicle and showed the guests the tracks and which way they were heading, immediately the excitement grew.

Southern Pride 1

My highly talented tracker, Jack, kept his eyes on the road as we followed the pride’s path. Left turn, right turn, straight ahead and so on. We lost the tracks, then found them again and we just kept moving forward. Eventually we turned the corner to find a lioness drinking from a pan. The guests all gasped with excitement. The lioness then strolled past our Land Rover and led us straight back to the pride that were just finishing of a kill. We could not decipher what had been killed cause there was nothing left but it had to have been something substantial judging by the bulges in their tummies. The 10 month old cub was almost rolling it was so full.

We sat with them for a while before they started to amble down the road away from their dinner table. The golden light filtered through the misty morning creating the most beautiful scene. Moving, then sleeping, then moving as if they were not sure what to do next. The Kruger male made an advance on one of the females but was shot straight down with a nasty growl and a swipe. What a great way to start the day.

  • BY: RICHARD DE GOUVEIA (LITTLE BUSH CAMP RANGER)
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