It cannot get any better than this!

Today after lunch we all set out on our game drives. Each family went together. After a few small sightings we arrived at a HUGE male lion that had just woken up and was starting to move. We followed him through the bush it was so much fun. He had a heavy dark mane, he was a truly magnificent lion. For those of you that went to Ukutula to the “walking with lions” this lion looked like REX the male lion we saw there.

This male was probably the most impressive lion I have ever seen. He finally plopped down next to another large lion with a very red mane also very impressive. All around were female lions as well. Lions were everywhere, and the other vehicles in our camp got to see them too.

Then our ranger said we are leaving now to see if the wild dogs cross over the river hunting. Of course hearing this I was immediately ready to abandon the lions. We arrived at the area the wild dogs have been crossing and found a film crew in place. They had preference for filming but we were first in line after the film crew left the area. Our ranger Sam stopped the car where he thought they would go once past the film crew. He had the exact right spot the dogs came and the first one passed so close to the car. Then came another and another the dogs kept coming. There were seventeen dogs in all with the alpha male leading and the alpha female right behind. A sight I thought I would never see I was quite awe struck. We followed them along a fence line as the ranger explained they run a large animal into the fence and it gets electrocuted and then they have their kill. After following for about 15 – 30 minutes we pulled out to let others have a chance.

When Jim and Pam and their family took their turn THEY SAW THE KILL! They had all their little grandchildren in the vehicle but I guess they all handled that sight okay. Next Ralph’s family came into the sighting so they all saw the wild dogs. We were able to go back in and see the dogs with the kill. A flurry of white tails with sentries posted looking all directions to watch for hyenas or other predators.

What an afternoon. The game here has been nothing short of spectacular. I told Pam, Jim and Ralph how good it had been and felt that this afternoon would be the same. We were not disappointed.

They have four cheetah brothers on the property right now so tomorrow we are “on the hunt” for cheetah. All our vehicles are heading out for the cheetah. What I like about Seasons in Africa camps is that they all really work together and try to be sure that if there is a group that everyone gets to see the key sightings.

Most of our group are on their first safari. Imagine that this all happened on their very first day. Jim and Pam were also charged by a little baby rhino and the adult rhinos paid no attention whatsoever.

Internet is pretty good so I hope Ken has a chance to post some pictures tomorrow. I am sure he has some good ones but the wild dogs were hard as they were moving fast and so was our vehicle.

Hopefully my next post will be about the cheetah.

Fast addition - we saw Cheetah - four males. No time now to write more but will tonight after this afternoons game drive.