I remember the first time I saw the look on Jim’s face when the realization finally struck….
You see, the reason Jim felt a small tinge of fear tonight was the fact that just that afternoon he met a pride of lions for the first time. The size of these beasts was not what caught his attention, but the casual strength they displayed while “man handling” a carcase of a recent kill was frightening.
With the warm breeze blowing through the open Safari vehicle, we sat dead still watching as two male lions fought over a back quarter of a wildebeest. Jim was now in Africa. We have just driven into a pride of lions and in the middle, of what looked to be more than 20 lions, was a fresh kill.
Two male lions were fighting over a piece of prime meat as we looked on. Slowly the tour guide turned off the engine, he didn’t want to draw any more attention to us.
The guide, being use to this, whispered: "Don’t move a muscle."
As the sound of feasting bombarded our ears, I saw the colour drain from Jim’s face. About 10 feet from where Jim was sitting, one of the huge male lions turned and looked straight at him. Blood dripping from his mane. He was injured, with a huge gash above his right eye. He had just won the fight over the prime piece of meat and finished eating it joyfully.
This was close. A little too close for Jim as the lion stood up and casually walked toward the 4x4 vehicle. Now only a few feet away from Jim, the smell of blood was irony. In fact, Jim swears that he could smell a hint of something minty coming from the animal’s breath… Jim froze completely, not moving at all. I sometimes wonder if he actually died for a minute.
The lion turned around and walked towards the shade. It was time for rest. After a good meal like this, lions usually settle down to sleep a bit.
The kill was now finished with vultures and hyena’s fighting over the scrapes. All the lions now resting in the late afternoon shade. Suddenly the guide turned the ignition, the engine sound startled Jim out of his trans and slowly the vehicle started moving. We needed to make camp. It was late afternoon.
Luckily, Jim had an extra pair of underpants in his bag. Jim realized two important things that day
1. This was not like Lion King where “MOOFASA” is a gentle father. This was real and Jim knew that we should respect the power of wild animals
2. Always pack extra underwear….lol
You see, the reason Jim felt a small tinge of fear tonight was the fact that just that afternoon he met a pride of lions for the first time. The size of these beasts was not what caught his attention, but the casual strength they displayed while “manhandling” a carcass of a recent kill was frightening.e prime piece of meat and finished eating it joyfully.
Gems are forged in Africa through experiences that no one can ever take away from you. Memories made in Africa will last a lifetime.
Jim saw; something that most people will never see. In fact, he did something that most never survive… Jim Smelled the fresh hint of mint on a lion’s breath.
This was Jim’s experience… This is the Gem that he took home to share with his family.
There are many hidden gems and experiences waiting for you in Africa. The secret is to get a trusted local to share some of these with you. That is exactly what we are all about. Forging unique experiences that leaves lasting memories of Africa and the adventures thereof.
We’ve put together a 12-day self-drive off-road safari so you can build experiences just like Jim. We want to share our beautiful Wildlife and Nature with you. We want to share our Gems with you.
I would love to invite you on the annual King Shaka Adventure tour.
Please feel free to download our itinerary, and make sure to book as places are filling up fast.
Until we meet in Africa
Zasendle Tour
Jacques de Ru
