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Zimbabwe: Summer '07This is the first season that Chris has run this multi-centre, activity-based photo safari. Taking in Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe - from the famous Victoria Falls to walking with Lions. Read all about the events as they unfold in the bush.
This morning, three of the group opt for a lie-in. Murphy's law, then, that this is the morning we sight lions. Two females sit under a bush, watching intently a herd of wary zebra at a waterhole. We wait for them, hoping for an attack. It's not to be. Later in the afternoon we head back to the same spot, but the lions are gone. There's no sign of a kill and we suspect they headed for an easier target.
We've reached Antelope Park and the team head out on a night drive, tracking hunting lions. It's a long night and we're about to give up when all hell breaks loose. The lions are in full flight, chasing down wildebeeste, when SLAM! The kill is made. These are young lions and it's their first big kill. They haven't quite got the hang of it but instinct brings them out on top. Hungry they bite into the fresh meat, ravenous and radient with their success.
A surprise tonight for the team. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, once described as the world's greatest living explorer, is giving a talk at the Park. His tales of daring are both inspiring and humourous; his support for the lion rehabilitation project - and Zimbabwe in general - is welcome.
This morning we head out with two male lions, on foot, following them through the bush as they seek prey. In the early morning sun, they seem more interested in getting one over each other, as they wrestle and grapple, fighting to assert their dominance. At such close quarters, their power is obvious and we are humbled. The cameras rarely stop firing in a wildlife papparazzi frenzy of image taking.
Leaving day. Two of the group head early to catch morning flights, while the remainder while away the time on a horseback safari, in search of plains game. The afternoon flight is delayed by an hour and I only just manage to catch my flight home to England, with minutes only to spare. Gregs tuition in queue jumping have come in handy!