Feb 19 2012
With professional photographer Matt Considine and his wife Jane, we set off at the fresh hour of 04h30 am with high expectations for a lion sighting as the sunrise approaches. We head east, as Sammy, my tracker, born and raised in the area, describes to me where the northern pride was last seen, and where the most likely place is to find them.
In the area of the Ratel pan, near the water hole, Sammy sees tracks of the northern pride - the two lionesses, three 11-month old cubs and the two newest members of the pride, just three months old and only now mobile on their short stubby legs. The tracks head straight for the pan, so we inform our guests and start to make our way there.
When we get there, the sun is rising, and the pride has just arrived. We park the vehicle on the opposite side to the pan. The cubs are playful and mother of the newest cubs keeps an eye on the playful cousins as they begin to lap up the water. The light is perfect, glistening off the water and the cats’ eyes.
It is good to be back on Tswalu, after a year of study. What a way to start off again.
By Barry Peiser – Tswalu Guide
