It has now been 3 weeks since I arrived at Sand Rivers and I am taking every opportunity I can to go into the bush. However, It will still take a bit of time to get to know the wildlife in this area - I don't mean what wildlife we have - I mean their personalities. Every animal is different based on past interactions with humans and some will allow you to get closer than others.
I have seen the Sand Rivers Pride 3 times in the last 3 weeks, with the last viewing being 2 mornings ago as they were hunting Hippo in the camp. Each and every lion is different, and each one is more confident than another. On this occasion, we found them before Lake Tagalala, at the base of a ridge, watching Giraffe in the distance. You could tell they weren't too hungry, but if the opportunity to hunt arose, they would take it.
One lion got quite inquisitive and decided to take a closer look at the car!
The perfect chew toy! At least we have 2 spare tyres!
Giving up on her new found toy, she decided to see where the others where.
A quick peek in the car, before scouting for the Giraffe again.
Hamadi, one of our guides, took this opportunity to turn the car around as he could sense their may be a hunt - Giving his client a perfect view.
This pride kept watching the Giraffe move closer and closer, so one of the Lionesses decided to take up her position at a nearby bush.
No such luck today though! With their incredible eyesight, the Giraffe spotted the lioness and slowly moved off. Not too phased by being seen, the pride kept relaxing in the same position until sunset.
It was great to be able to spend so much time with this playful pride. We got to see so much of their character and how they live. It was very tense at times, when they were stalking, and you could feel it in the air. I look forward to getting to them over the next few months and years. We may need to get a new tyre cover though!