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.
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!
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.
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!
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)
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.
Fantastic lion sightings. The giraffe were lucky this time around. Love the pretty swallows.
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Such a special day, Sylvia!
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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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That certainly was a very sweet moment on a day otherwise dominated by brute strength!
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A very sweet contrast!
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I really liked your shot of the lion in the forest. The king of his domain. And the swallows are so cute!
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When you see a lion this way it is impossible not to feel that you’re in the presence of majesty.
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What a treasure Pilanesberg is – and you really hit the jackpot!
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That’s the best way to describe it, Anne. Our luck really and truly was in that day!
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Lions! OH, My!
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Always a thrilling encounter, John – even when they’re just sleeping…
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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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And the swallows are beautiful.
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They were adorable!
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It really was wonderful to have you along on our trip, Janet!
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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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Thank you, H.J. Indeed, the lions are charismatic in the extreme, but as you mentioned, the smaller things have beauty too and deserve our attention too.
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The King is most impressive and those little swallows are simply adorable. What a day this was!
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It really was an incredible 12 hours, Lois.
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