THE ROAR OF A LION
At about 4:30 this morning, we were awakened by the sound of loud roars which seemed very close to us. I found the flashlight and got up to shine it to see if I could see what was causing all the noise. Norma sure put a stop to that: "Turn off the flashlight, it will see us! Close the gate (there is one at the top of the stairs to our rooftop bedroom) Close the gate." As I had turned off the flashlight I was stumbling around in the dark - it's a wonder I didn't fall down the stairs. When our 5:30 wake-up call came, we asked what had made all the noise. A lion, we were told. Didn't you see it? It was right in front of your room!
Norma decided to hang back so Glen, TK, and I left at 6:00. We hadn't gone far when a call came that there were two lions at the waterhole. We drove over to watch them, They headed off and we followed. Before long, TK pointed out the rest of the thirsty pride hurrying towards the waterhole. The pride consisted of eight - females and young males. Then TK pointed out the ninth lion - a male black-maned lion following his pride. We headed back to the main waterhole. The lions walked right past us heading for the small waterhole meant for birds right in front of the lodge! As we headed back to the lodge, we saw Norma on the rooftop observing everything from that vantage point. We got to the lodge in time to stand as close as 40 feet from them with nothing but air between us. I got some great pictures and even took a video. We could hear the lapping of their tongues we were that close. As they left the waterhole, we followed them for awhile before resuming our hunt for the brown hyena. We saw more honey badgers, and bat-eared foxes but, sadly, the elusive brown hyena lived up to its reputation. The lodge staff said they hadn't seen this pride for a month. Glen told us it was his best lion sighting ever!
The lions prefer the water at the small waterhole near the lodge as the one that is larger and farther away attracts a lot of vultures who not only drink but bathe in it as well. Therefore, the water in the small one is much cleaner. Smart lions.
We returned to the lodge at 8:15 in time to pack and eat another wonderful breakfast before we leave to catch our plane to our next destination. The plane is delayed so have had time to bring the blog up to date.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to our next lodge - it is the super luxury one we have been upgraded to. Let's hope that it lives up to our expectations.
At about 4:30 this morning, we were awakened by the sound of loud roars which seemed very close to us. I found the flashlight and got up to shine it to see if I could see what was causing all the noise. Norma sure put a stop to that: "Turn off the flashlight, it will see us! Close the gate (there is one at the top of the stairs to our rooftop bedroom) Close the gate." As I had turned off the flashlight I was stumbling around in the dark - it's a wonder I didn't fall down the stairs. When our 5:30 wake-up call came, we asked what had made all the noise. A lion, we were told. Didn't you see it? It was right in front of your room!
Norma decided to hang back so Glen, TK, and I left at 6:00. We hadn't gone far when a call came that there were two lions at the waterhole. We drove over to watch them, They headed off and we followed. Before long, TK pointed out the rest of the thirsty pride hurrying towards the waterhole. The pride consisted of eight - females and young males. Then TK pointed out the ninth lion - a male black-maned lion following his pride. We headed back to the main waterhole. The lions walked right past us heading for the small waterhole meant for birds right in front of the lodge! As we headed back to the lodge, we saw Norma on the rooftop observing everything from that vantage point. We got to the lodge in time to stand as close as 40 feet from them with nothing but air between us. I got some great pictures and even took a video. We could hear the lapping of their tongues we were that close. As they left the waterhole, we followed them for awhile before resuming our hunt for the brown hyena. We saw more honey badgers, and bat-eared foxes but, sadly, the elusive brown hyena lived up to its reputation. The lodge staff said they hadn't seen this pride for a month. Glen told us it was his best lion sighting ever!
The lions prefer the water at the small waterhole near the lodge as the one that is larger and farther away attracts a lot of vultures who not only drink but bathe in it as well. Therefore, the water in the small one is much cleaner. Smart lions.
We returned to the lodge at 8:15 in time to pack and eat another wonderful breakfast before we leave to catch our plane to our next destination. The plane is delayed so have had time to bring the blog up to date.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to our next lodge - it is the super luxury one we have been upgraded to. Let's hope that it lives up to our expectations.
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