Linyanti lions and more

 August 8

Our first game drive began at dawn, and our first stop was the giraffe carcass mentioned in yesterday’s posting. There didn’t seem to be much left, but it was enough for a large flock of vultures and several spotted hyenas. The first group of three hyenas appeared to be from one clan; when members of a second clan tried to join the party, they were chased off.  And while the vultures were respectful of the hyenas in general, they were quick to rush in to feed when they sensed the hyenas were distracted. 

Next we went in search of a rumored pride of lions. We expected to find them resting, but instead found the walking single file through the bush to a napping location. There were six young females and a young male just beginning to grow a mane. They groomed one another and snuggled together for their nap. One lay down directly in front of the truck, and didn’t move when we drove around her. Another example of the amazing comfort animals in this reserve have with the safari vehicles. Were someone to step out of the vehicle, it would be a different story altogether.

There was also a rumor of a second leopard, so off we bounced through the bush. She was sleeping under a shrub next to a tall tree where she had hung her meal to keep it away from hyenas.  It was an elephant afterbirth, demonstrating again that in nature “no waste goes to waste”.

In between these milestone sightings we saw elephants (many groups of them and lots of small ones), giraffe, warthogs, impala, red lechwe, a dwarf mongoose and lots of birds.  All of this before lunch!

After lunch, a rest, and afternoon tea (we eat constantly on this trip), we headed out for an afternoon drive that included watching an elephant and six hippos in the river at sunset and a short night drive to see a jackal as well as our hyena friends. The giraffe was reduced to bones, but hyenas can digest bone. It is one of their important roles in the ecosystem. While that is laudable, the sound of rib bones being crunched is a bit jarring! Back at camp, the staff serenaded us with traditional songs before dinner. Another long but great day in Linyanti, with one more to come. 

Pictured: lions, hyenas