The Serengeti is a trip you will never forget! The vast expanse of land, the sightings of every animal in the wild. Giraffes and elephants ambling by, lions eating a wildebeest, cheetahs lazing, cheetah cubs eating a deer, deer strolling along amongst zebras and wildebeests, lionesses catching a prey. Wait, what?
The Serengeti by itself, deserves its own post but this particular act of nature, deserves one for itself. Yes, we saw a live kill!
So here we are driving around in one of those open top jeeps. We spot 4 lionesses and their cubs strolling around. They walk past our jeeps (yes, there are a lot of tourists), seems like there is an intent to do something so we stop, wait and watch.
One of the lionesses hangs back with all the cubs. The other 3 amble forward. We wait in anticipation. As I look around at all the other humans in the jeeps, there is a faint ripple of excitement. The drivers are skilled, they know a kill is coming up. The question is will these lionesses be successful?
I turn my attention back to the lionesses, one of them has hidden herself somewhere, cannot be seen. The other two purposefully walk towards a zebra herd. But the zebras see them and are watchful. They move away!
And then suddenly, there is a rustle of the bushes and the hidden lioness jumps out and runs after one of the zebras. A quick run, leap and kill. It is over in a matter of seconds.
The other zebras forlornly look on. The lionesses (all of them) and the cubs gently amble towards the kill.
Lunch is ready.
But the amazing thing was the planning and execution. Strategised to the last bit, no less. The lioness at the back with the cubs on guard to protect the progeny, the one hidden so that the zebras don't spot her, the two in plain sight, deliberately moving towards the herd, nudging them towards the one hidden in the bushes. Wow! Hats off! These are the things you travel to see.
Getting there
Do read our other blog on Tanzania which has details on travel and stay options.
Comments