A roar reverberated through the vlei, ricocheting off the bordering teak forest into the great beyond and back. Those that came before him had responded in recognition of their living equal, their legacy of power and resilience. If there is a sound more appealing to one’s sense of wonder and inner fortitude then I am yet to hear it. The ‘Blondie’ male lion had fearlessly made his presence known to any challenger bold enough to enter his domain.
I lunged across the camp’s dining table, grabbed my camera gear and bolted to the vehicle, as I handled the driver side door, Edmore the night watchman tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he may join me in the search. ‘Of course, you may, hop in!’ I replied.
We didn’t know each other, he and I, but evidently we shared a passion and the next ten hours would be the revelation of our matched tenacity. As the VX gradually trawled the two track, I focused hopefully on the road ahead, anticipating a bulky golden shape being lit by the headlights. Edmore swept the spotlight from side to side across the vlei, in search of two glistening amber eyes. Our initial attempt had failed so I cut the engine and we sat, silently in the darkness, awaiting the lions next roar.
Within a couple minutes Blondies roar barrelled down the Dete vlei once more, giving away his location. Edmore was quick to react and with sonar like precision he spotlit the lion on the other side of the vlei. I turned the key and we slowly wheeled our way toward the flat cat. Upon our arrival I wasn’t entirely convinced that the pale blob circled by long wisps of grass was indeed the lion.
“Edmore, are you sure that is a lion?” I asked. “Yes, it is a lion” he curtly responded. “That’s a branch, Edmore.” I jested. “No, that is a lion” he replied. I went on to question if the lion was alive, and after what appeared to be an annoying exchange for my compatriot, I decided to end the debate by suggesting a game of rock, paper and scissors. The loser gets out the vehicle and checks if the lion is alive. “The lion is alive.” Edmore stated, once and for all. We chuckled and I was at ease knowing neither of us were going anywhere until sunrise. The night watchman wasn’t allowed to sleep and I would remain with the lion for as long the big cat allowed it.
I peered at my cellphone screen and noted it was 21:20, my breath condensed on the screen and I knew it was going to be a testing evening effort. Edmore wore my spare jersey and I had a windbreaker. We settled, overseen by a night sky devoid of light pollution. It was us, the stars and the lion. Invariably any attempt I made to doze off was interrupted by the lions roar, as if by design. The hours passed by but time stood still, we were in the presence of an apex predator, listening carefully to his every move, humbled and entirely at peace.
Inevitably the darkness lifted, the deep blues morphed into vibrant magenta and ultimately a golden glow. Blondie padded his way into the vlei at the perfect moment before coming to rest near a pan. It all played out exactly as I had dreamed about earlier before the lions roar shook me awake into a Raygun T-rex pose on the drivers seat.
Watching this powerful animal stride through the vlei and into the forest left us with a deep appreciation for all we had experienced. The Amanda Safari Collection team have rejuvenated this vlei and its surrounds, an astonishing achievement, one that means animals like this lion have a place of sanctuary.
I salute you.
One Response
Stay out of the lion’s way and don’t kill them