The pride returns

We were out bright and early this morning, and as the sun rose we headed eastwards along the road separating Ngala from the Kruger National Park. Our hope was to find tracks of a pride of lions that with any luck had crossed over to Ngala during the evening. Much to our delight we found tracks, Fanny our tracker hoped off the vehicle to inspect and suggested we go check a dam, where it seemed the tracks were heading. On our arrival at Clara dam we were welcomed by a herd of elephants drinking and playing, some even totally submerged as they swam and wallowed in the water. We watched the elephants gleefully playing, when from the distance came the instantly recognizable sounds of lions wrangling over food. With that we left the elephants to try and find these animals making the noise, we came around a small thicket and there they were 15 lions demolishing what was left of a giraffe they had killed during the evening. The spoils where diminishing rapidly, tempers flared as each lion tried to get its last bite, while a few with full bellies relinquished their positions around the carcass to lie in the shade. We watched for some time and will return this afternoon, to witness what further unfolds.

Posted: Ngala by Dylan Davies, Date: 12 March 2010

 
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