Midweek at the lodge can be quiet, but this week I had the opportunity to take two guests out on morning drives before their departure. They had specifically requested to see lions and elephants, so I set out with the goal of fulfilling their wishes. On our first morning, we successfully tracked down the Western Pride in the northwest part of the reserve.
Lions at Rest: The Calm Before the Hunt
As is typical for lions during the day, they were doing what they do best—“laying down,” which, while impressive, isn’t the most thrilling sight. After spending about ten minutes with them and hoping they’d become more active, we decided to move on and search for elephants. It didn’t take long to find a herd of about twenty elephants on Duikerhoek Main Road, heading south towards Windmill Plains. It was a fantastic sighting, and after spending some time with these magnificent creatures, we decided to call it a day.
Unfinished Business: A Return to the Lions
The next morning, with one guest opting to sleep in, the other and I set out once more, determined to find the big cats again. We ventured into the southern plains of the reserve, knowing we had some “unfinished business” with the lions. After tracking their movements for quite some time, we finally found the Western Pride in an area known as Wendy’s Walk. Our efforts were aided by the calls of Blue Cranes, South Africa’s national bird, and the alarm calls of Blue Wildebeest, all pointing us in the direction of the lions.
When we found them, the pride was feeding on a Red Hartebeest they had taken down earlier that morning. It was an incredible sight, made even more rewarding by the time and effort it took to track them down.
A Coffee Break with a View
After this thrilling encounter, we stopped for a coffee break on the highest peak in the reserve, known as “Low Range Pass.” From there, we had a stunning view of the plains where the lions were feeding. It was the perfect spot to reflect on our successful morning.
We returned to the lodge happily, armed with great pictures of the lions to show off to the guest who had decided to sleep in. It was a couple of mornings well spent in the bush, filled with excitement, great sightings, and unforgettable memories.
