Cats will be cats...

Salaam Aleikhum, it’s been a while! A brief note from Zakouma while I work on a more substantial piece...

Our camp is situated on a strip of shore of Riguiek Pan, roughly North/South. The view from the tents is east, so breakfast is also a sunrise occasion (and a sight to behold)! Willem & my tent is situated furthest south, looking out on the pan.

Good morning ❤️

One evening this week when I’m not having dinner with the guests, I’m watching a movie in bed. There are always noises outside, and I’m curious as to what it is? One of the four old old buffaloes that roam around? Or those increasingly more relaxed waterbucks?

I pause the movie and pick up my torch. As I shine through the mosquito net I’m ready for one of the above animals to bolt off snorting. Instead, I look straight into the face of a lioness, who is inspecting the tent poles.

The photo isn’t great but I promise you: that’s a lion!

Fawn-coloured cat at my bed...  

The lioness pauses briefly. Her three youngsters are more wary of the bright light and hide behind a bush. I will later hear they continued North, along the shoreline, straight passed the dinner table... In true Zakouma-style. 

This particular mother lion and her cubs are resident to the area. This is the inquisitive daughter on a different occasion. One of her two brothers in the background is less brave! 

Cats be cats...  

That’s it for now! 

X IRIS

Ps. A few nights later, in the middle of the night, this happened again and Willem was able to get a much better shot...