Blackie’s Son and the Young Lioness

The morning started early as usual, only a few hours sleep and I stumbled around in the low light from the battery lamp. Something shot across the bed, must have had a bed mate last night, no idea what. Got the clothes on and luckily I had all the gear looked out and ready last night.

Headed off to the breakfast tent along the long winding path dodging the hippo dung left from last night, maybe that was last nights visitor.

First to arrive, no change there, everything set up by Joseph, fresh fruit, cereals, toast and tea, 5 star service.

Suddenly there was a loud shout and Joseph came running in whirling a towel above his head and screaming like a banshee. I leapt out of my seat spilling my mango juice everywhere. Joseph stopped and stared at me. “Im sorry Andy, I thought you were the civet cat that’s been raiding the breakfast table before the guests arrive”!

Calm ensued, a few more people joined me and we finished breakfast all talking about yesterdays adventures and sightings. Most would be true, some would be embellished and some were wind ups I’m sure.

Headed back to the tent, dodging fresh hippo dung and low branches, while scanning either side to make sure the hippo had gone and nothing else was lurking in the dark. Gathered all my gear and went to where the vehicles were being loaded with todays lunch and plenty of bottled water. Placed my gear on the mattresses and towels and greeted my long standing driver and guide, “Morning Andrew”  who replied with ”morning Andrew”, by coincidence we had the same name.

We set out from camp and headed for the double crossing area to look for some lions we saw yesterday. It was pitch black as we drove over the crossing, the sky was a little cloudy and there was no moon to help us see across the terrain. We came out of the river crossing and heard the unmistakable bellowing roar of a Male lion.

We looked over to our left and strained our eyes to try to find the lion that made the noise. We eventually came across  a small group of lions lying in the open on a slightly raised mound surrounded by large flat rocks. Andrew drew our vehicle up alongside a large Male and young female lion sitting together, half dozing. It took a while but we eventually recognised the male as the original leader of the pride, Blackie. He was a magnificent specimen of Male manhood with his expansive black mane framing his battle scared face.

The light started to radiate across the horizon signalling that Mara was about to give birth to a new dawn.

The sun was still well below the horizon when Blackie’s son, the new leader of the pride, came into sight. He stood proudly silhouetted on the top of the rise to our right and produced a deep bellowing roar that carried across the open plains. He was making a clear declaration for all to witness that he was here, on his territory and returning to his pride.

Blackie, his father and the old leader, leaped to his feet, looked at the young lioness and disappeared into the dark. The young lioness turned towards Blackie’s son, still silhouetted on the rise about one hundred yards away, and ran towards him. She reappeared on the horizon next to him in what seemed like seconds. He stood proudly as she approached him. When she was very close she started to ‘flirt’ with him. Her actions were best described as ‘dancing’, he was obviously pleased to see her, but she was in love. They paraded across the horizon and I managed to prepare the camera in the half light and fire off several shots as this courtship dance continued on the horizon.

The sun was still to appear above the horizon as the sky and clouds glowed in a fiery red, orange and amber.

The two eventually slipped away below the horizon and disappeared to do, who knows what. We decided to sit and reflect on what we had just witnessed.

We sat in the landrover and watched as the sun eventually peeked over the horizon and filled the plains with that beautiful golden light that is sought after by photographers. We marvelled at what we had just witnessed and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. Another great moment to remember.