Trina's page of Blogginess: Safari #5

This afternoon's safari was all about tracking a pride of Lionesses and their cubs. Our guide, Lucian had heard that the pride had been spotted within a certain area of the reserve. Lucian and our tracker, James, spent a good hour and a half trying to track them down. We drove around and around, as they used their skills to read the prints, droppings and kills of the pride. After circling back to an area near where we had started an hour and a half later, Lucian said that maybe it was time to stop, and that we would try again in the morning. At that moment, James said, "Let's try one more time".

We drove just a few more yards, and wouldn't you know it, we came across one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen: 4 grown Lionesses and their 9 cubs!! It was truly an incredible site, and what an amazing photo opportunity! We took loads of photos - here are some of my best. (again, Dick's photos from his fancy camera will be much better, and will have several close-up shots.)

"Safari Dick" - all geared up and ready to track some lions!

tonight was the first night that we didn't have cloud cover, so we were able to view a beautiful sunset

A Pride of Lions: 4 Lionesses and their 9 cubs

After a short while, all the lionesses left. We offered to watch the cubs while we were out. (we had assumed that they were heading out to hunt, but returned within 20 minutes or so without any kill.)

Nine Lion Cubs (they are all between 3-6 months old)

Dick and the lion cubs (another good band name)

After about 20 minutes or so, the Lionesses returned, and the cubs all scampered back to them, wanting to nurse. The lionesses quickly laid down to nurse the little ones.

nursing lionesses

It certainly was a very exciting outing, and we were all very excited. It's quite a rare opportunity to see lion cubs, especially so many together.

We took our evening break soon after in a nice clearing with some zebra nearby.