Savuti was flat dry land. Sand was from the Namibi desert and you get a good jolt when you sit in the back seats. We kind of liked it and it’s perched up so you get a good view. The first day in Savuti we saw a lioness and a well fed leopard. That was the first time we saw a real lion and leopard in the wild and it simply takes your breath away.
Why people want to go hunting for them is beyond inhuman and cruel. They are beautiful, majestic creatures simply getting about their own business. They mean no harm unless they are threatened. And why is that so different to us? We are a species that mean harm even when we aren’t threatened. So we are essentially the crazy animals.
So the lioness was sitting on an ant hill and Tabo saw it. She just sat there without any fear or aggression. Just got up so she could adjust her sitting posture. But otherwise totally oblivious to an entire four wheel drive full of nutty humans (6) watching her in total silence with flickering cameras. Of course the guide would say a thing or two about the animal and The crazy thing is that these creatures though they are wild, look well groomed. Their costs shine in the light, not mattted at all. Their faces unless covered in blood from a hunt look perfect. They are also never out of shape. Perhaps towards the leaner side but we never came an obese one. Later in the evening we came across the leopard. It was well hidden in the bushes with a bulging tummy.
We spent a lot of time. I think we were the last Jeep to leave. And it was well after the leopard got up and walked for some distance out in the open before disappearing. But we followed him right next to it and got some amazing pictures and videos. My husband had the professional camera so I had plenty of time for my eyes to take things in and I made sure I gave myself that time. I didn’t want to spend my time looking at things through a lens.
So I was fortunate to make eye contact with a lion and leopard. Boy that scary and I just couldn’t sustain it because of fright. They have sharp stares. The lions eyes are like an orange shade where as one of the leopards had steely grey ones. I love them.
Another day we were watching elephants at the waterhole and a half a pride of lions (about 8) turned up after a kills and made their way to the hole for some water. The elephant herd was not pleased. They had going ones. But their didn’t dare start a fight and neither were the lions interested in a fight either. The elephants gathered one side and the lions on another. From time to time the elephants came trumpeting with their trunks up in the air as if were to charge...but it was only to warn. The lions would back away but no sooner father again and start lapping at the water. It was hilarious. But also made us appreciate how intuitively they are smart to defend only.
One of the most interesting creatures is the wilder-beast. It looks like something from Harry Potter. I had seen them on countless documentaries but had completely forgotten until I saw. The first time we came across them was from a distance and I was the first to notice and Tabo moved a bit closer. But they don’t stay still.
Another day we came across the lions preparing to hunt. They are barely visible in the brown grass, but from time to time little blobs move. Well spread apart.
Another day we came across the same group while chasing a honey badger. They were simply playing with each other, we followed them the entire morning. It’s funny how they walk in single file. Apparently for protection.
Of we saw many other wildlife too but most travel to Africa to see the Big 5. And we have been 4 by now excluding the Rhino. We also missed cheetah. For another day perhaps ....
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