A day in Pilanesberg: Hour 11

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We’re driving along Tshwene Drive in the Pilanesberg National Park and have just passed the Korwe Link turnoff when we see two vehicles up ahead, driving very slowly. Is that ANOTHER LION in the road in front of them!? We can’t believe our luck at yet another lion sighting – our fourth for the day – and such an impressive specimen too! He proceeds close to the road for a while with his adoring fans following faithfully, then moves deeper into the veld but still more or less parallel with the road, requiring us to continue along in first gear for the occasional glimpse.

Strolling King
Beautiful Pilanesberg lion
Beautiful Pilanesberg lion (photo by Joubert)
Beautiful Pilanesberg lion
Beautiful Pilanesberg lion marking his turf

About 200m further along the road we notice a herd of giraffes, and the lion is heading right towards them. Slowly we venture forward to find the best vantage point for the impending attack, but the lion is spotted by his lofty quarry and can only roar about his disappointment… Perhaps the tsessebes another few hundred meters further along would have been easier prey, if he didn’t tell all and sundry he was there with that load roaring!

Herd of giraffes on Tshwene Drive
Herd of giraffes on Tshwene Drive
Tsessebes on Tshwene Drive
Tsessebes on Tshwene Drive

We decide to pay one last visit to the shores of Mankwe Dam, and guess what? MORE LIONS! These two are doing what lions do best – sleeping. Our fifth encounter with lions in one day at Pilanesberg is decidedly sedate compared to the others, but we appreciate it nevertheless.

Scenery at Mankwe Dam
Lazy lions on Hippo Loop

In quite a contrast, our next sighting is of two lesser striped swallows serenading each other with the chirpiest tunes at the bridge over the Mankwe stream. It’s so sweet seeing each taking a turn to listen with eyes closed to the other’s melody!

Lesser striped swallows at the “Wimbledon” bridge
Lesser striped swallows at the “Wimbledon” bridge

If you’d like to follow along as we explore the Pilanesberg, a map may come in handy (for a large format version click here)

Tshwene Drive to Mankwe Hide via Hippo Loop

If you need to catch up on our drive through the Pilanesberg National Park, you can read all the previous posts here.

To be continued tomorrow, with the final installment.

19 thoughts on “A day in Pilanesberg: Hour 11”

  2. naturebackin

    What a beautiful lion and he looks to be extremely well fed! The photos of the giraffe and tsessebe in the soft light are lovely. Lesser striped swallows are among my favourites and their call is so sweet – even more sweet to capture them listening so attentively to the other calling. Most endearing.

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  6. sustainabilitea

    So we’re leaving it ’til the eleventh hour, are we? 🙂 What a great bunch of penultimate sightings! I’m glad the prey got away this time, although I’m sure he won’t go hungry for long. As for his roar, I guess he never heard the phrase “Softly softly catchee monkey”! While I’m looking forward to what your final hour holds, I’ll be sad to see this day end. It’s been marvelous.

    janet

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  7. H.J. for avian101

    The lions are always attention getters, the huge cats are favorites because their tremendous power and beauty. I love the Lesser striped swallows, I find them to be beautiful birds. Great post, D. 🙂

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