I feel fortunate to have observed many wild lions throughout Africa, and some incredible highlights stood out. Deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, we spent several hours one evening watching a coalition of two powerful males as the sun set and darkness enveloped the area. Lightning is a common sight in the Delta, and as the evening twilight deepened, it was mesmerizing to see the lions stealthily approach a herd of tsessebe. The lightning created an eerie glow, beautifully illuminating the scene, and we even managed to capture a photograph of the dramatic sky.
On another memorable occasion, we witnessed a pride of seven lions actively hunting Cape buffalo. The hunt was particularly intense, with the dust kicking up, birds taking flight, and the large male buffalo fiercely defending their herd against the encroaching lions.
Additionally, we were fortunate enough to see three-month-old lion cubs at Nxai Pans National Park.
The mother lioness, on her own, brought her cubs out of their hiding spot after taking down a young giraffe.
Among the most impressive lions we encountered was a magnificent leader of a large pride in the Kalahari desert. The region’s rich mineral content contributes to the remarkable size of the local wildlife, resulting in larger bones and horns.
Our journey also allowed us to observe vast herds of elephants. Their intelligence and strong social bonds are remarkable. Watching the herds swim across rivers and feast on water lilies was an incredible highlight of the experience.
One of the most heartwarming moments was seeing a newborn elephant calf, only a day old, struggling to keep up with its family as they moved through the lush landscape.
