Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

[GavinW]

There were two other lionesses and a male lion under the tree on the kill to the south, once the lioness returned to the waterhole, she was joined by one of the other females

After greeting each other they suddenly caught sight of a herd of Wildebeest moving across the pan.

[GavinW]

As the other lioness watched from the water hole, the other moved away and started crouching and taking shelter behind one of the cars at the waterhole.

In the meantime, the lion and the other lioness were walking towards the waterhole as well.

Between the four of them, they successfully alerted the wildebeest to their presence and they moved away.
Quickly.

[GavinW]

The lioness in the parking area then carried on and greeted the approaching lioness.

Who obviously wasn’t very impressed

With that the male lion started running towards the two girls.

[GavinW]

I’m not sure what the lioness did to get the male all worked up, but he gave chase after her, and a spectacular cat fight followed:

[GavinW]

Eventually the lioness got away
And obviously was wondering as to what had just happened

The lion then paraded around the waterhole, proclaiming that he is the king

[GavinW]

After all the action, the lions all settled down under some trees and we eventually returned to camp to break up our tent.

The drive down to Twee Riveren was very quiet, but then we had already had a pretty awesome day.



We were allocated chalet no 24

After settling in we took an evening drive to Samelvoeiing and back

[Klipspringer]

Action there for the lions

[Mel]

Uh, oh, not a good time for the brownies in the upper Nossob... At least two of the Grootkolk regulars were killed around that time and a bit earlier. Pesky lions!

Although I'm readily admit that that was a pretty exhilarating observation you were allowed there.

[GavinW]

Sunday 13 October 2019:

Our last day in the park.

Our early morning drive was up the Nossob River to Melkvlei and back

At Leeudril, we came across this male lion posing nicely on the dune to the south of the waterhole.

We stayed with him for a while, hoping that he would move, but that was not to be.
Sleeping was obviously higher on his agenda for the morning.


Some skittish eland made for a superb silhouette against the early morning light

At Rooiputs, a caracal was settled in the trough of the waterhole. It wasn’t doing too much besides dozing, and was pretty well obscured from view, so we didn’t get any decent photos, and decided to carry on the Kij Kij

[Alf]

Lovely pictures once again