Stories from Africa |
Your African Animal Photo Safari |
How many of you have been to Africa? I would bet not many of you would answer 'yes.' But, people know a lot about Africa thanks to the 'National Geographic' TV Animal series and a few 'Discovery' TV shows about those 'African Beasts' that live on the 'Dark Continent.' |
Well, that's mostly true, I admit. But, at the heart of the great sea of sand that is the Kalahari lies the world's largest oasis, the Okavango. This inland delta is a vast expanse of meandering river channels, papyrus swamps, grass-covered floodplains and tree-studded islands. It is considered one of the wonders of the natural world and a wildlife paradise second to none. |
Taking a look at a map of Africa, towards the bottom or south end, you will notice a country called Botswana. For those who care, it's about the size of France. The Kalahari Desert takes up more than two thirds of this country causing most people to think of Botswana as a dry arid land of sand, scrub bushes and sand dunes in some areas. |
Botswana |
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Botswana has one of the most robust economy on the continent, dominated by diamond mining, followed by tourism, subsistence farming, and the raising of cattle. It is a landlocked area slightly smaller than the state of Texas; bordered by Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Geographically it is predominantly flat but has some gently rolling tableland along with the Kalahari Desert in the southwest. The climate is semiarid, with warm winters, hot summers, periodic droughts, and seasonal August winds that blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country. High unemployment and a rate of HIV/AIDS infections the highest in the world threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains in the past few years. |
East of the Okavango Delta lies the Chobe National Park and Game Reserve where, within this expanse, lives the largest concentration of Elephants left in the world. It's a fact that poaching in many African countries has lowered the Elephant population greatly. Years ago, the Botswana Government set up a military style 'Anti-poaching unit' which used deadly force, aircraft and helicopters to capture or kill poachers in Botswana. This effort has been highly successful. So, it is estimated that between 40,000 to 50,000 elephants now live in the Chobe Game Reserve of northern Botswana. |
Slowly, since the 1980's an ever-increasing number of tourists have discovered that Botswana is more than just a big sandy desert. They visit the Okavango Delta, the Chobe Game Reserve and many visit the largest private game reserve in southern Africa, the 'Mashatu Game Reserve.' Mashatu has its share of those thousands of elephants mentioned above. Many herds of females and their young move about throughout the reserve. Great Bull Elephants are close by. Prides of Lions, solitary Leopards, groups of Giraffe feed on the tops of trees. The deer family (Wildebeest, Bushbuck, Duiker, Eland, Impala, Kudu, Steenbok and Waterbuck) roam throughout the reserve. Groups of Zebra and, in the pools of the rivers, Hippopotamus, show their heads above the water surface. Lets not forget the Bird Life. Some 350 species of birds may be seen. Really folks, the Wildlife experience at Mashatu is both personalized and unforgettable. |
You, as a visitor, have the choice of living in a luxury 'Tent Camp' nestled in the remote northern area of the reserve with never more than 14 guests at a time. This camp provides accommodation in seven luxury safari tents. Although rustic in character, every facility is provided. They are insect-proofed and have en-suite shower and toilet facilities. Or, you might stay at the Mashatu Main Camp. The swimming pool is larger at the Main Camp. Food at both camps is excellent. Large Air-Conditioned rooms await you if you chose the Main Camp, which is perched above a large water hole, which attracts all verities of game. Game viewing while you sip your favorite drink. Why am I passing on all this information about Botswana and its game reserves? That's an easy answer. The story, which follows, occurred in Botswana, on the Mashatu Game Reserve. |
I lived and worked in Botswana between 1987 and 1997, ten full years. I was the flight manager of an Aviation company, which flew to all the countries in Southern & East Africa. During this time we set up a three-day weekend Safari package with the owners of Mashatu. For a package price which included the Mashatu Safari fee and the airfare up and back, a tourist could spend Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon in the Game Reserve and enjoy 4, four hour game drives operated by dedicated, experienced game rangers and trackers. Oh, and more great food than you could ever eat! The nice thing about being THE BOSS is that I could schedule myself for a flight whenever I wanted. The scheduling officer informed me that we had a group of Government VIP's, from North America, purchasing the Mashatu package. Their travel would be in a couple of weeks. I took a look at the names and decided it would be fun to meet these folks as I had seen them on TV and read their names in Time Magazine. |
I phoned the Embassy and told them I would be in charge of the flight and that my Chief Pilot would be my co-pilot. These VIP's would have the two senior pilots of our company as their crew. The Embassy seemed happy with this news. So, the Friday finally arrived when we waited in the VIP Lounge at our Main Terminal for the arrival of our passengers. The Embassy had phoned and told us that our passengers would be going through the VIP Lounge so as to stay out of sight and away from the main airline terminal area. Our 12 seat pressurized propjet sat out front on the tarmac ready to go. The flight time from the Capitol to Mashatu is about 11/2 hours. After takeoff we climbed up above the rough air and our passengers were soon looking down on the Limpopo River from 25,000 feet enjoying a smooth flight. We offered coffee, tea, soft drinks and beer to those who desired it as we made our way northeast paralleling the Limpopo valley. We had started our decent towards the Tuli Airport when I briefed our passengers via the PA system for the landing. I added that we would be making a low pass down the runway to check for any elephants who might be near or on the runway before landing. Hitting an elephant while landing would ruin your whole day! It's always fun to fly down a runway at high speed especially if you are only 100 feet or so above it. This also added to our passengers "Botswana Safari Experience." Pulling a bit of 'G's' as we made a climbing left turn I set up for our downwind leg, dropped the gear and flaps and proceeded to land leaving a trail of heavy dust as we rolled down the dirt and gravel runway. I used the whole runway length to stop because one does not use reverse thrust on a gravel runway. Thousands of dollars of damage can be done to a propeller blade if a rock is sucked up using reverse thrust during the landing. |
Three Custom Toyota Safari Trucks were awaiting our arrival. One truck would carry all of our baggage directly to the main camp. We pilots had our choice of staying with our passengers and enjoying a four-hour game drive or riding with the baggage truck directly to the main camp. My co-pilot and I decided to stick with our passengers. Everyone seemed in high spirits as we split up the group between the two trucks. Each truck would go a different route looking for game. If we came across a leopard or lion the rangers would use the radio to let the other vehicles know where he was. Sometimes, at night, three vehicles would be viewing a leopard with their powerful spotlights. While driving slowly at night, these spotlights would be swinging left to right, not looking for an animal but looking for the reflection of animal eyes. Then, they would outline the animal with the spotlight. Believe me when I say that the Rangers can tell which animal it is just from the shape, color and brightness of that eye reflection. Before you even see the animal in the spot light the Ranger would say, "That's a porcupine." or, "That's a lesser bushbaby." Besides the larger animals, these night game drives discovered springhare, African civet, spotted genet, honey badger, porcupine, bush babies, aardwolf, caracal, African wild cat, and hyena, all smaller but interesting animals. |
But, we had several hours yet before sundown. Shortly before sundown the Rangers would park up on a small hill so his passengers could enjoy the African sunset while they sipped their 'sundowner' drinks and ate snacks. Each truck was equipped with beer, soft drinks and hot tea. Light snacks completed the half hour stop as everyone watched the sun set in the west. About this time the first real indication that you are on Safari sinks into your brain when you look around you and wonder how you are going to get rid of some of that beer or tea you have been drinking. You ask one of the two rangers if there will be a bathroom soon. He informs you that 'No bathrooms soon, but a roll of toilet paper and bushes are available. Please be careful walking near the thorn bushes and remember to watch for snakes.' Suddenly, that urge doesn't seem as strong as it did a minute ago. When women are in the party the Rangers will pick out a spot, check for snakes and show them the way behind some thick bushes, all in the name of privacy. The men make their own way into the bushes! As we leave the airport area our driver points over to three Ostrich that are watching the truck carefully. They decide to trot away; their long strong legs making it seem almost effortless in the distance they can travel, so quickly. A comment from one of the passengers was the point that 'you can't outrun those birds!' |
Our truck turns onto a track that stretches in a straight line off towards some low hills in the distance. Off to the left, our sister truck trails dust as it heads out on another track in a different direction. Our Ranger who is riding on the back of our truck calls out to our driver in Setswana. 'A group of elephants off to the right.' The truck stops and our driver stands and using his binoculars to scan the small herd of females and their young. Turning off the track we make our way across the grass and bush covered savanna towards the herd. Those passengers who were not already holding their cameras at the ready were reaching for and preparing theirs for some upcoming photos. Our truck approached the small herd pulling in front of the direction that the herd was feeding. Soon, the matriarch, the head female in charge, started to act a bit agitated because our truck was in the way of the direction she wanted to go. Raising her head and trunk she bellowed out a strong loud roar. All the other females stopped grazing and the young ones moved closer to their mothers. |
My passengers didn't realize that our driver pulled in front of the herd on purpose. This way you get a quicker reaction from the herd. Having spent many an hour riding in these Mashatu trucks viewing game, I was wise to the tricks the rangers used in order to give the tourists their money's worth. This was the fourth year we had been doing this safari package and during that period a charging elephant had hit only one truck. Though shaken by their experience, no tourists were hurt in that encounter as the animal, after hitting the truck, turned and trotted away satisfied that it had shown who ruled the savanna. The rangers and I know that 99% of the time the elephant makes a false charge only. They charge at the truck stopping short and kicking up dirt and dust with their front legs. This becomes a part of the tourist 'safari experience!' It can be very exciting because folks don't realize the size of these animals until you get up close and personal. |
The matriarch bellowed loudly and a young teenage juvenal bull stepped forward swinging and waving his trunk and flapping his ears in a very threatening posture, looking like he was ready to attack our truck. Our ranger had kept the motor running and now he revved up the motor several times. The truck was making a threatening noise back at our young elephant. The teenage bull started a charge running several steps before stopping with a kick of both his front feet. Dirt flew and dust rose. The remaining members of the herd were all now skittish and the tension was rising among the passengers in the truck. The wife of one of the VIP's called out, "I want to leave now!" The ranger didn't laugh but smiled as he placed the truck in gear and pulled away from the herd. This group of animals had performed nicely giving the tourists a bit of a fright and allowing all to get some good close up photos. Back again on our narrow track we made out way towards the low hills ahead. We stopped several times as the ranger pointed out several colorful birds, naming each one. Some of the birds of Africa are unique both in shape and color. The Lilac breasted Roller will actually do a complete roll in the air as it chases flying insects. The African Hoopoe has to be seen to be appreciated for both his looks and fabulous colors. The sun is now reaching for the western horizon as our driver takes us on up onto a flat area atop a small hill. Our view is to the north, west and south as we now can gaze back down on the bush-covered savanna we had just driven through. |
The rangers open up the area under the rear seat and now offer tea, instant coffee, soft drinks and beer to our passengers. A variety of cookies, called 'biscuits,' are offered along with the drinks. We all stand around and watch the sun set on the far western horizon. Most African sunsets are worth a photo or two while some are extremely beautiful when the clouds are right. Darkness comes quickly in Africa. With all the drinks and biscuits back in their containers the ranger who rides high on his small rear seat pulls out a powerful spot light and turns it on. Our driver puts our safari truck in gear and we make our way down off the ridge and head for a river area off in the distance. Using the trucks headlights and his detailed knowledge of the whole Game Reserve, our driver steers our truck into an area of large trees, which grow on both sides of a river. Not being the rainy season, the river bottom is sand. The truck's searchlight is being played, both right and left, with our ranger looking for the reflected eyes of animals. |
Inside this wooded area we spot and view, via our powerful light, a troop of baboons, some still down on the ground but most now up in the trees getting ready for the night. Passing the troop our ranger is sweeping his light not only on the ground but also up into the branches of the trees. Suddenly, he lets out a yell in Setswana. Our driver stops the truck and after a short exchange in Setswana he backs the truck up about 20 feet and stops. Pointing the light up into the tree our group is told that what they are looking at is a Whiteface Owl nest with two babies in it. And, sure enough, a small head appears looking down at the noise below the nest. A few flash photos are taken before we move off paralleling the riverbed. A few bumpy minutes go by then our driver calls out for everyone to hold on tight. He turns and our truck slips down the steep bank of the river onto the sandy river bottom. Gunning the motor of our truck and now in four-wheel drive, we leave deep tracks in the sand as we cross towards the opposite riverbank. Our headlights outline a track which runs up the steep bank ahead. With everyone hanging on and with a loud roar of the engine we hit and climb up the steep bank and reach level ground where we come to a stop. |
Turning and smiling, our driver checks that everyone is okay and tells our group that we are now looking for a Leopard, which was in this area last night. Everyone checks his or her cameras as we pull away and head along the river. Up ahead it seems our headlights have found a hundred or more reflected eyes. We have come upon a group of Impala, a favorite meal of the leopard. Our spotlight swings left and right past the impala. Our ranger sees that the animals are on alert, heads up, making small hissing noises with their throats. There is a leopard nearby and the impala know it. Our ranger continues to search the trees and bushes around the impala herd. Still, no sign of the cat so we start up again and move slowly past the very alert herd towards the other side where we stop again. Once more, our light swings left and right searching for the big cat. |
Suddenly, the light stops, outlining several bushes. I look hard at those bushes and then part of those bushes moves. The outline of the back of the leopard becomes visible but blends in so well that it is hard to make out. The big cat is stocking the herd of impala behind us. Our driver turns off the motor and headlights of the truck, the spotlight is turned off and the silence of the black African night descends upon us. The ranger whispers that we need to wait quietly for the leopard to creep closer to the herd of impala. Give him a chance to make his move. From past experience I know that when the ranger hears the impala stampede and scatter he will turn on the spotlight and find the leopard making his kill or views of the impala making their getaway. Lion & leopard, when hunting, are not always 100 % successful. We will wait and see the outcome of this hunt. |
Night sounds continue in the blackness. The short 'hissing' sounds of the alert impala, moving nervously within their group along with insect sounds come to our ears. We all sit without moving in our seats waiting for the noise of an explosion of movement. Suddenly, it happens. Noise of stampeding hooves, alert or panic calls from the impala, the truck spotlight flashes on showing dust, a leaping impala in midair, another close behind coming towards the truck, the flash of the leopard, leaping at an angle to land on the impala's back, colliding together and tumbling on the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Our spotlight quickly stops, shining into the dust. The dust clears slowly showing our leopard with a grip on the impala's throat, cutting off the windpipe and air to the impala's lungs. Death is by strangulation. This is the leopard's way! Slowly, the kicking struggling impala's movements become still. Death for the Impala has arrived. |
No one got a picture. Everyone was spellbound watching this life and death struggle take place so close to the truck. The dust from the kill actually drifted past the truck. Everyone was stunned by the quickness and intensity of the action. Life and death in Africa. Wow! Our truck now turned towards the direction of the main camp. It would take another hour and twenty minutes before we reached it. During this time we found a group of giraffes and photos were taken. We came across another herd of elephants. We spotted a small African wild cat. The eyes of several bushbabies were reflected in the trees. We came across the print in the ground of the common African python. A line showed in the dirt several inches wide. We stopped and using the spotlight tried to follow its trail. It must have been moving fast as we saw nothing. Everyone was tired when lights showed up ahead and we pulled into the main camp parking area. Climbing down from the trucks everyone was greeted with a cool drink of juice and taken into the office to register and pick up their room keys. Each guest must sign a waver of liability for Mashatu in case they are hurt in any way. Killed by an elephant? Bitten by a deadly snake? that's too bad! All part of your 'African Experience!' We are told that we have twenty minutes to cleanup and refresh ourselves in our rooms before dinner is served. 'Please meet in the Gin Trap, the bar which overlooks the water hole.' It's almost 9 p.m. and everyone has an appetite. Dinner, tonight, will be held in the Boma. This is a circular high reed fenced area with a large fire burning in the center of the circle. Dinning under the stars! Tables and chairs are placed in a circle around the fire. Food is served buffet style. You pick out your food and take it to your table. Each table is small and sits just two persons. Tables are close so that you can engage your sister tables in conversation. During the winter months the tables are placed closer to the fire, the summer months, a greater distance from the fire is needed because of the warmer weather. It is very African. The food is excellent and you can have all you want. Before you finish dinner a lady ranger checks to see who would like to go on the Saturday morning Game Drive. You say yes to the game drive, and then find out that you will be woken up at 5 a.m.. You look at your watch and see that it's almost 11 p.m.. Hey, that's not much sleep is it? But we are all told that the morning game drives are really great because all the animals are up and out having breakfast. The viewing is superb. The rangers will be looking for lion in the morning too. Sounds good! Before dinner I had been talking to the Assistant Manager in the bar. He told me that a large female elephant that had a young one with her had chased another safari truck, carrying a party of three persons up from Johannesburg, South Africa. The action was not normal and the two rangers felt that the cow was highly agitated. He and two rangers were planning to go out in the morning and find this female. If it was still agitated and aggressive he would shoot it with a dart gun. After the drug took effect they would do an inspection of the beast to see if a reason could be found for its abnormal actions. Would I like to go along? I told him yes and thanked him for the invitation. Another advantage was I could sleep in until 7 a.m. as he was planning to leave camp at 8 o'clock. After my alarm went off I decided to skip shaving and taking a shower. After all, I was out on safari and being covered in dust while riding around the savanna. A shower later in the day seemed like a better idea. Eggs, bacon and toast made from homemade bread helped fill up the hollow spot. Two cups of strong black coffee finished the waking process and shortly before 8 o'clock I walked to the parking area with my camera hanging off my shoulder. I knew our driver, Moses, who had taken my passengers and me on many game drives. Burt, the assistant manager and the senior ranger, Jacob, arrived at our truck and we were ready to go. Jacob was carrying the dart rifle. We also carried the normal high-powered rifle, a 375 magnum that each truck was required to have when out away from camp. Using several tracks we made our way from the main camp towards the area of the encounter yesterday evening. 45 minutes of travel brought us into the area where we drove up onto the top of a small ridge and glassed the surrounding area for the herd of elephants. The sharp eyes of our senior ranger, Jacob, spotted them several miles away. Coming down off the ridge we made our way across the savanna towards the herd. As we slowly approached the herd, a short discussion was held regarding which direction to run if this agitated cow charged us. We would need to drive fast until the cow quit chasing us. We would then return at a good speed and dart the animal as we passed by keeping out of its way. This seemed to be 'Plan A.' I made sure my camera was ready for any action. |
We slowly come up on the herd keeping an angle to the animals in order to make a quick get away. The whole herd was grazing as we approached, about nine females and seven or eight youngsters of various ages. The matriarch stopped eating and watched our approach. Another large female also watched us then turned quickly and showed signs of aggression. A three year old stood close by. The large female quickly swung around. Lowering its head, her trunk curved down between her legs and her large ears flat against her body she started at us. Excited Setswana between Jacob & Moses came quickly as Moses gunned the engine and we dug out across the savanna. I looked behind us and saw the cow, head down, gaining ground now in full charge. Burt, Jacob and I hung on as our truck bounced across the uneven ground, Moses doing a great job driving as he missed most of the small trees and bushes. Turning again to look back I saw the cow veer away and stop. Moses slowed our progress and started a large turn back around towards the cow. Burt checked his dart rifle and called that he was ready to shoot. We kept up our speed as we approached the cow at an angle. |
The female watched us returning and prepared to chase us again. Now, within range of the dart rifle, Moses slammed on the brakes coming to a quick stop. Bert took aim as the female started her second charge and fired. The dart thudded into the females shoulder. Moses gunned the truck and turning we picked up speed as the cow was now up to speed and was behind us. Slowly, we pulled away. Her running after us would help the drug to work faster into her system. Again, the cow turned away and slowed to a stop. The rest of the herd was bunched up near where we had first found them. It was only then that I realized that I had taken no pictures of this action. I was too busy holding on as the truck bounced across the uneven savanna. Well, at least I can get a photo or two as they inspect the animal and maybe treat it. |
We sat about a quarter of a mile away and watched the herd. The large, aggressive female made her way back and soon the herd was feeding again. But then, the matriarch brought her head up quickly and turned to the large aggressive female who was now starting to feel the effects of the drug. The female started to walk, which turned into a trot, then slowed with a stagger, which became more pronounced. Stopping, she stood swaying while the rest of the herd watched her. Her front legs folded and she slowly toppled over to lie on her side in the grass. The watching herd shifted and the Matriarch approached and ran her trunk over the prostate animal. Moses put our truck into gear and we started forward towards the fallen animal. Jacob unlatched the 375 magnum picking it up. The herd didn't move as we drove towards them. Moses gunned the motor. Our truck became aggressive. The Matriarch turned and moved back towards a clump of trees, the balance of the herd followed slowly. Slowing we pulled up near the fallen cow. The danger was when we stepped out of the truck we became small humans to the elephants. Jacob jumped down from the truck when it stopped and raising his arms and holding the rifle let out a loud half scream and yell. He then pointed the magnum skyward and fired one round. The explosion boomed across towards the herd, which turned and started to trot away, the Matriarch in the lead. Burt jumped down and he and Jacob carefully approached the big cow. First, checking the eyes, they turned to inspect all four feet of the female. Jacob called out, "Here's the problem. A thorn which has infected this foot. It's a mess. No wonder she is short tempered." Moses remained in the driver seat keeping the engine running while Burt opened up the big first aid box and prepared to pull out the large thorn and treat the infected area. I remembered I had a camera and took a few photos of the two rangers working on the foot of this elephant. They were working quickly as they pulled out the thorn and started cleaning the infected area. Every one knew the drug only lasts for so long. We needed to be well away when this big female woke up. Burt decided to wrap the infected area after first placing a large pad soaked in anti-biotic medicine over the infection. Jacob lifted the heavy foot up high enough so Burt could run heavy tape around and around to hold the large pad. They knew that the bandage would only hold for a while before the elephant could get it tore off. Hopefully, long enough for the anti biotic to do its job and start the healing process. In a few minutes the job was completed and with everyone back on board Moses backed away from our fallen elephant. We stopped about a quarter mile away. Breaking out the soft drinks and biscuits we sit, watch and waited for our animal to revive and rejoin the herd. The first movement came after only another fifteen minutes or so. Another thirty-five minutes are needed for our female to rise up and look around. Fifteen minutes pass and now she slowly, with effort, pulls herself up onto her feet. Her herd has worked its way back towards her as they feed. Slowly she walks towards them, her baby now coming forward to greet his mother. Bert's comment was: 'A good morning's work.' I had to agree. --------- Our passengers were resting when we returned to the main camp. Having eaten a big breakfast after their return from their morning game drive they were now either resting or enjoying the sun next to the pool. Lunch would be served at 1 p.m.. I stood near the bar and looked down on the water hole to see what was there. I wasn't too surprised to see no animals, as it was mid-day. But the resident leopard tortoise was sunning itself on its rock. I then looked for the other full time resident of the water hole, the Water monitor. When the monitor swims across the waterhole you would hear a tourist call out, 'there's a crocodile in the waterhole.' The rangers would then show photos of a water monitor and crocodile and point out that the monitor is a much smaller reptile. But, today the monitor wasn't out swimming it seemed. I rested until lunch and then again until 4 p.m. when the evening game drive started. During the morning drive one truck had found a pride of female lions. Announcing this find to other trucks, soon several groups of tourists were snapping pictures of mostly bored lions laying in the grass after a successful night of hunting. Every so often, a lion would raise its head and look at the truck, attracted by the noise of the clicking shutters of the tourist's cameras. A tail would swish at flies, which were attracted by the smell of the recently fed lions. After a few minutes the folks in the truck would relax when they realized that those lion were not the least bit interested in them. Saying that, all passengers were under firm instruction not to stand up in the truck. Stand up and guess what? You become a small human with movement. Movement attracts cats! The lion are used to the trucks. The people in the trucks are part of the truck until they stand up. So, its smart to stay seated when eyeball to eyeball to a group of lion. Remember, no bars, no mote! |
I decided to ride with the other half of our passengers for this evening drive. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their visit to Mashatu. We had a couple of hours until sunset when we pulled out of the main camp. Our driver headed on a track, which took us northward into some hills. Herds of various type of Bovidae (deer types) were seen as we made our way into higher ground. Two small duiker, large herds of impala and wildebeest grazed together for protection. Three Kudus grazed in the distance. Look at that group of Zebra! They look just like horses except with stripes. Within a small valley we spot two black-backed jackal. They look just like dogs. |
Back at the main camp I was enjoying a cool ice tea while I talked with one of my passengers telling him of my day's experience with elephant thorn removal. Their game drive that morning had been especially exciting, as they had come across three leopards up in a Mashatu tree. These trees are very large and are what the Game Reserve is named after. The vehicle had stayed parked for almost a half hour as the guests had watched and photographed the leopards as they moved around up in the tree. The remains of an impala were given personal attention by each, and my passengers observed these big cats doing "little kitty things." Cleaning their face with a paw, rubbing up against one another, very much like your pet cat does. These VIP's from North America were receiving a special treat because the leopard is a night hunter, mostly sleeping during the day. The ability to watch and photograph them during daylight hours is not that common. You can only do one thing at a time but I was a bit sorry to not have been with my passengers to watch this leopard display. Still, having an upset elephant charging after you is a bit exciting too. My turn will come to watch leopards during daylight hours. As we winged our way back towards the capitol late Sunday afternoon, I was pleased that, from all the chatter and talk among my passengers, it was apparent that they would be talking about their Mashatu Safari for some time to come. The End |
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