Lion Camp-1

A large carnivorous feline mammal (Felis leo), found in Southern Asia and in most parts of Africa, distinct varieties occurring in the different countries. The adult male, in most varieties, has a thick mane of long shaggy hair that adds to his apparent size, which is less than that of the largest tigers. The length, however, is sometimes eleven feet to the base of the tail. The color is a tawny yellow or yellowish brown; the mane is darker, and the terminal tuft of the tail is black. In one variety, called the maneless lion, the male has only a slight mane.





At breakfast this morning I was greeted with some unexpected news. It seems the lions we went looking for last night had come looking for us and were waiting patiently not 800m across the water. (I had threatened Oscar not to return to the camp until and unless we had encountered some lions, preferably hunting!) Needless to say breakfast became a hurried affair.

5 minutes later we had crossed the river and were searching the long grass for the lioness and her cubs, the male we had seen earlier heading deep into the Savanna thicket. Once again the lions managed to surprise us, we almost drove past the male who was sleeping just a stone’s throw away, he looked like he had had a long night which he was now fitfully sleeping off. Further off the cubs lay camouflaged in the tall grass. As we approached them they seemed relaxed and not at all bothered by us. They hardly stirred as we edged on closer, probably had also had a late night. 15 minutes later they started stirring a little pawing playfully at each other and yawning lazily at the sun. The two brothers necked lovingly in a bonding ritual as the sun kissed their pock marked skin. They were content, safe with not a care in the world. From our vantage point all the chalets were in full view and it wouldn’t take long to spot us if any of the guests were on their balconies or our viewing deck. This is what happened to our only guests (new managers from the neighbouring camp) we spotted them standing on the balcony with their binoculars trained at us trying to figure out what was going on, this didn’t take long. I could imagine the deflated excitement of being a part of something exciting but not close enough to enjoy the full effect.



There is something really mysterious about lions. They could rip you apart if they wanted to, but at the same time they look so cuddly. Can you imagine what humans look like to animals? They must think we're so weird.
Lee Ryan

A lion among women is a most dreadful thing.
William Shakespear