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A morning game cruise on the Chobe River brought us a sighting that we did not expect: a pride of lions drinking and playing on the Botswana-side bank of the Chobe River.
The morning had started with a trip to Elephant Bay in search of African fish eagles, but it was quiet. Once word of a lion sighting came through, we soared west along the Chobe River to find the lions.
I was fortnate enough on our approach to capture this image of a lioness drinking from the river in the golden light before my view was obstructed by safari vehicles and boats.
Seeing African big cats from the Chobe River (on which we are entirely based for this segment of the trip) is not very common, and mostly comes down to luck. Twice now, we have been rewarded with the presence of big cats on the Chobe River.
A third sighting of a particular lion pride in the Khwai Concession was met with the pride male resting under the shade of a tree as the warmth of the morning became more intense.
The ever-active cubs were occasionally annoying their father, who would express his displeasure.
Der Leopard "Split Nose" auf einem Baum bei Sonnenaufgang (Masai Mara, Kenia).
The leopard “Split Nose” on a tree at sunrise (Maasai Mara, Kenya).
Eine Löwin des "Rongai"-Rudels mit ihrem Jungen in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
A lioness from the "Rongai" pride with her cub in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
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Eine Löwin des "Rongai"-Rudels mit ihrem Jungen in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
A lioness from the "Rongai" pride with her cub in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
Our first morning drive in the Okavango Delta in Botswana was highlighted by a visit to the lion pride that we had encountered during the previous afternoon.
With seven young cubs, the scene was quite busy, but I captured this image of a very cute lion cub after a yawn.
It is always a pleasure to see lions, and young cubs are particularly special and enjoyable to see.
During a fantastic sighting of the Offbeat pride of lions feasting on a buffalo they had killed overnight, we followed the lions as they went in search of water and a resting place.
Here, in a very lush area of the pride's territory, one of the mothers and a male cub look into the distance as they plan their move forward to join the pride male high on the ridge.
Seen this Leopard sleeping very deep and sound on a tree and it was very much back lighted by bright sky,we waited for a long time but didn't see her waking up.
After we all got our shots he took off. But he was so kind to follow the road. In fact cats like to walk along human made paths because it’s much easier as if they would have to go through the thick grass. This was very good for us. We were not allowed to leave the roads while we were driving through national parks.
When you look at the shadows you can tell that it was almost midday. It’s very unusual to see big cats moving during the hottest time of the day. However a minute later he went into the high grass and spotted a herd of impalas. He couldn’t resist his instincts… great for us ;)
If you want to see the other images of my trip through southern Afrika please see my Flickr album: "Southern Africa 2014".
Der Leopard "Lorgogol" in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
The leopard "Lorgogol" in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
A young lion cub walks, side by side, with her mother in a virtual timeline. Cubs are born sequestered from the pride, where they live the first few months of their lives. While their mother goes off to hunt, she leaves them alone, generally well hidden. At these times they are most vulnerable to predation from a wide variety of other animals. At several months of age, a lioness introduces her young offspring to the pride. They now enjoy the added protection afforded by numbers, and females and young males will almost always share in nursery duties. When she is full grown the cub will have become an integrated member of the pride, and with time will bear offspring of her own. #LionCubs
Ein Löwenjunges im Savuti Game Reserve (Chobe-Nationalpark, Botswana).
A Lion Cub in the Savuti Game Reserve (Chobe National Park, Botswana).
On our final game drive on our final day in Sabi Sand Wildtuin, we happened across female leopard Tiyani and her daughter Laluka.
We had encountered Tiyani numerous times throughout this trip, but this was our first encounter with Laluka.
Born in May of 2021, Laluka's name means "to grow in wisdom" in the Shangaan language.
Tiyani and Laluka had a bushbuck kill, and were resting, playing and occasionally feasing on the bushbuck, which had been taken in the early hours of the morning.
Here, Laluka, with stunning eyes like those of her mother, looks around as she rests in the sheltered grass.
are always out of reach.
Elephant @ South Luangwa Valley, Zambia
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2011
During our first visit to the Khwai Concession in Botswana's Okavango Delta, we participated in a Delta safari tradition of a mokoro ride along one of the tributaries of the Khwai River.
During our pleasant mokoro ride, we encountered several elephant bulls, and from our mokoro, I photographed this impressive elephant drinking as he stood surrounded by the cool waters.
There was a load of other bird, mammal & reptile species on show to see & photograph too; & a whole load more besides these that I still have to sort through on my SSD.
A lioness sits atop a rock outcropping looking over the range. Family groups of lions, called prides, will set up a territory or range that they protect as their own. That territory can be as small as about 20 square miles or as large as several hundred. She may be looking for the next meal approaching on the horizon or she may be looking for trespassers. Who knows, perhaps she is simply enjoying a beautiful day and time alone!
#BigCats #Bringit #Canon