Lion Tuesday

If Monday was Hippo day, Tuesday was Lion Day. 

 

It started at the very early hours of Tuesday with roars in the distance, then closer then on the left of the camp, then louder, then on the right.  One of the stories told last night at dinner was about lions sitting on the porch of one of the chalets and the gentleman inside thinking the iron coat rack was the best weapon of defense.  I could tell that the lion or lions were not sitting on my porch, but I was hoping they were not sitting on Maureen and Lynn’s porch (they were hoping the same for us).   The other sounds of the  night and early morning were much quieter then they had been the previous morning, I suppose lions in the camp make every creature more quiet.   We heard engines in the distance, but didn’t know the meaning until 6:15, when Charlotte said come quickly, our plans had changed because a lion had been spotted and tracked.  So we quickly got into the vehicle and using radio controlled communication with Chris we found his vehicle – the big green safari truck.  He had rousted one of the other campers named Ted a little after 5 to help him follow the lions (still dark).   We carefully transferred over to the big green and with Chris driving continued to follow the lions.  Two large males, the pride leaders, affectionately named Aslan and Chesterton sauntered along like they were just taking a stroll, checking out their territory, leaving their marks as they went, letting other males know who is the king of this forest – yes forest, so Chris is driving over trees, rocks, dodging wart hog holes that might tip big green over and on occasion the lions would walk on the road, so we would follow there as well.  We followed until the lions stopped to dig, perhaps a wart hog hole, they didn’t dig very long until they decided to sit down and rest.

Who needs coffee when you wake up to lions?!!

Chesterton

This was an amazing morning and every one at McBrides was so excited, especially Chris and theCharlotte!  When we returned, breakfast was served, stories were told, it was an exciting and amazing day!

Aslan

We departed McBrides with a borrowed battery - a good excuse for Lynn to return for a short visit!  The most difficult part of the day was finding our way out (next time we are going to tie ribbons on the trees to mark our turns)  The rest of the day was a hard drive for Lynn, just because of the rough road - otherwise it was uneventful.  We crossed two rivers, the Kafue and the L_______ on pontoon ferries - yes I took pictures Dad! and made it to Mukiinge just at dusk!  The power had been out most of the day in Mukinge, but came on soon after we arrived.

Lynn's dear friend and collegue, Michelle blessed us with a  wonderful meal of chicken enchiladas.  We all slept welll this night!.