Lions of Timbavati

[Potato]

Tanda Tula update

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But, really, it was two of the Nahru males that stole the show that afternoon. I sat with them for an age as they just slept and slept and slept, not even a herd of impala walking 10 meters behind them could stir any sort of consciousness. In fact, they got so boring I decided to see what else I could find. Turns outs not that much and so as the rain started to come down, I started my journey back to the slumbering cats. Usually, at this point most people, including me, would prefer to be back at the lodge sipping something hot to drink and taking it easy, but there were wet grumpy lions to photograph!

Luckily, I had brought two rain jackets, one for me and one for my camera. And so there I sat in my home-made jacket tent peering out like a sniper waiting for the perfect shot. I am not too sure if the perfect shot was taken but I was drenched by the time I decided to leave the boys. All I am saying is that it would have been nice of him to actually face me while he shook his mane off.

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Later that afternoon, I caught up with the two Nahru males. They seemed much happier in the dry yet cool weather and even gave me a roar, which is always amazing to hear and feel.

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But really this day was meant for one thing – finding and photographing the new addition to the River Pride! I have to thank Ginger and Given for their awesome tracking as it led to an entire day of photography and sun burn for me. All jokes aside, once the actual den site had been found I decided I was going to spend all day there, but first I needed coffee, some snacks, another memory card and some more sun cream.

We found a great way down into the riverbed and there they all were, lazing about and taking it easy. There is sadly only one new cub, I am not sure what happened to the rest of the litter, but I am confident that there were more to begin with. However, one is better than none! It took a very long time for the little one to relax with the vehicle there but eventually as all the other lions slept deeply, the cub decided sleep wasn’t the best use of her time!

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I spent the rest of the day with this awesome pride of lions as they slept, played, groomed and eventually got up and left the riverbed towards the end of the afternoon. And although I got some pretty bad sunburn, I wouldn’t change a single thing about the day. Welcome to the world little one!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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