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Lion Pack
Three young males were part of the second group of lions we saw on our day full of birds and beasts as we drove around Etosha National Park in Northern Namibia.
“We’re goin’ on a lion hunt,
“We’re going to catch a big one –
“I’m not scared.
“What a beautiful day!”
OK – it’s true: the popular children’s chant is about a bear hunt, but I was in a jeep, bumping across dusty gravel tracks in Northern Namibia, and we were in search of lions. The refrain from the children’s song kept running through my head. I felt like a kid, a kid in a candy shop: the animals are just everywhere you turn in Etosha National Park!
I was travelling with photographer Ben McRae, a group of photography enthusiasts, and local guide guide Morne Griffiths. We had been living in tents for three nights at Namutoni Camp, next to the King Nehale Waterhole. Each night, I’d listened to the lions roaring to each other as I lay in the dark. But we hadn’t seen any on our first forays into the park (e.g.: Birds and Beasts on the Veld).
That morning, however, we got lucky. We came across a group of three adolescent males and spent time watching them out of the pop-top in our jeep (see: Camouflage and Zebra Crossings). We returned to camp for lunch, and set off again in the early afternoon, in search of more.
Truthfully, I was supremely happy with all the other animals we came across (and saw at the waterhole itself – eg: A Day at the Waterhole and Elephant Waltz).
Lions would just be a bonus!
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Elephant at the Waterhole
In my mind, these giants are the true rulers of the veld.
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Zebras at the Waterhole
An Untidiness of Wildebeests
Although the correct collective is an “implausibility of gnu” or a“confusion of wildebeest”, “untidiness” seems to suit them just as well.
“I’m a Gnu”
Wildebeest are improbable creatures; I cannot see them without breaking into the song written by the British duo Flanders & Swann: “I’m a g-gnu, spelled g-n-u.”
Two Kudus
Kudus – a species of antelope – gather near the waterholes.
Giraffe on the Road
The animals in the park own the roads.
Giraffe in the Thorn Trees
I love how the curve of the giraffe’s neck is an extension of its spine, as it looks around.
White Rhinoceros – Ceratotherium Simum
The largest of the five rhino species – white rhino – are no longer endangered, but are still considered threatened.
White Rhinoceros – Ceratotherium Simum
I was thrilled when we came across one on our drive in search of lions.
Fort Namutoni
Originally built as a German police post in 1896, Fort Namutoni …
Door Handle
… is the gateway to our campsite as we return for a late lunch. (iPhone)
Grey Go-Away-Bird – Corythaixoides Concolor
Called the “go-away-bird” for their alarm call: “Kuh-wê!”, grey louries welcomed us to the fort.
Kori Bustard – Ardeotis Kori
Driver
Our driver is smiling: …
Lazy Lions
… he has found a “coalition” of five male lions lazing under a tree.
Siesta
It’s late afternoon: the young males clearly have nothing to do but lie in their little patch of shade.
Giraffe Walking
It is anthropomorphism, but I love the feeling of ownership that I imagine emanating from the various animals as they walk around their territory.
Helmeted Guineafowl – Numida Meleagris
Giraffes
I love watching the giraffes as they take turns keeping watch over the waterhole, and bending awkwardly to drink.
Lions and Watchers
Where there are lions, there will be safari vehicles, watching and following.
Lion Pack
The young princes lounge around the waterhole without a care in the world.
Is that a Yawn or a Roar?
It is all quiet today, but their flanks show the marks of fights past.
Sunset
In the early evening, the world around us goes quiet as the sun drops over the veld.
Night falls quickly over the dusty plains. The sun turned red as I contemplated a day replete with animals: the princely lions that we had been in search of and the others in their domain.
We had one more more morning in the park before heading back to the city …
More on that another time.
Happy Travels!
Photos: 21August2015
