Unfortunately it appears I will have no pics from Djuma or Kruger as my camera couldnt take the off roading at Sabi..I knew something bad was wrong with it but kept shooting film in vain hope. 12 rolls have come back blank so far so I suspect everything after sabi will. But I have some pics and many great stories and memories. And for sure will be back same time next year!! This is one I wish I had pictures for as it was a once in a lifetime siting. THE LION KILL AT DJUMA
It was my last drive before leaving for home, of course I had hoped for something special. My guide had said we would look for 6 rhino that had passed into Djuma the day before. Great I thought. Then not far from camp, we found lion tracks. Not lion again I thought!? We had seen them 4 of the last 5 days! So the tracker and driver stop,get out and leave us alone in the landi to see where the lion tracks lead. This causes some guests concern as we are left alone..."What if the lions come back and they arent here?" Abel and Piet return shortly and we carry on down the road for sometime. We hear some buffalo sounds, and stop to listen to where they are coming from. We have no doubts! We can hear them stampeding through the bush and right towards us!! They appear a herd of about 40-50 cape buffalo, heading straight at us. They stop about 10ft short of our vehicle, look all around and take off again. That alone would have been thrilling enough! We figure the lions were the cause but dont see any...yet. We carry on a little and see a fallen buffalo near a drainage ditch, Piet thinks maybe it fell and was trampled by the herd alittle. It gets up and runs away dazed but seemingly ok. Just then a lioness darts by, followed closely by a young male. We turn and see the female has the 5 month old buffalo by the mouth and nose(we are told so it doesnt make noise and cant breath) and the male has it by the throat. They twist some and take the young buffalo to the ground. It puts up a struggle, such that I can only imagine how a fully grown adult would fite. One lady in our jeep is in tears and cant watch nor listen...her husband (at time of typing LOL) says "close your eyes,cover your ears and give me the damned camera!"(for which I am sure he paid dearly for back at camp LOL). A young 13 year old girl turns a curious shade of green. Soon 5 more male lions arrive, its the remainder of the Manuletti Pride. They begin to feast b4 the buffalos last breath is taken. The feast ensued. Lions which arrived a golden yellow, were soon dripping blood from their chins as they gorged themselves(lions can eat around 50kg or 100lbs in a sitting and dont chew just swallow). We could see their bellies grow. Occasionally they would take a breather from inhaling meat, looking around at the gathering of onlookers. In notime there is only skin and ribs left. The lions, buddies any other time growl and snarl visciously at each other vying for the best parts. I know this is not everyones thing but to see the whole scenario unfold like from a National Geographic movie was awesome. We were very lucky, even Link our intrepid vgd camera operator has never seen a kill from start to finish like that! Thanks to Piet and Abel for forgetting about the rhinos and giving me another memory I will forever carry with me. More Adventures
