This was one of the most successful game drives I’ve had in a very long time. As usual, we started out early in the morning, heading to the northern part of the reserve in search of lions, as that was the area they were last seen. When we arrived, only three other game vehicles were in the area, and we shared the roads to cover more ground.
Lions on the Hunt: A Memorable Sighting
We did find the lions, and my guests were over the moon as we approached a zebra kill. As is customary among fellow game rangers, I used the radio to call my colleagues to join in on the sighting. We were thoroughly enjoying the scene when, just five minutes after we left this incredible pride of lions, Mhondoro Lodge called in on the radio to inform us that a cheetah had just made a kill right in front of the lodge. Can you believe that—a kill right in front of our lodge! The cheetah was a female with two cubs verging on sub-adulthood, or ‘teenagers’ as we would say in human terms.
A Dramatic Encounter at the Lodge
We made our way back to the lodge, eager to see the cheetahs feeding on their kill. On arrival, I identified the prey as a young waterbuck. Our guests were already having an amazing time, but the real highlight was yet to come. A warthog family decided to join the cheetahs around the kill, setting off a dramatic brawl. Warthogs chased cheetahs, and cheetahs chased warthogs, but in the end, it was the determined little army of warthogs that won, chasing off the cheetahs to feast on the remains of the young waterbuck.
The Warthog’s Surprising Diet
You may not know that warthogs are omnivores and enjoy eating meat too. Can you believe all of this happened in just one morning game drive? Please come visit us at Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa—we have so many wonders of nature to share with you!
Mhondoro Ranger – Phineas Mehale
