Not a bad way to start the day

So after a long spell of not being out on game drives, I made my return a couple of days ago and have already been spoiled with some fantastic sightings, lions in particular. But this morning was special, we all got one of the best reasons to get up early and brave the cold of a winter morning game drive. Lions first thing in the morning! While cruising down our lodge entrance road we came across some lion tracks, it rained last night and these tracks were from after the rain and judging by the scuff marks in the wet road the lions had just been there. No sooner had I explained to the guests that we must be close, 2 sub adult lionesses burst out of the bush and onto the road ahead of us. I found it a bit odd that these two youngsters were on their own but then hearing zebra alarm calling to our east I thought the others were hunting zebra that side which then explained why these two would be alone. We stuck with the young lionesses as they stalked one another before they lay down in a dry waterhole for a snooze and to listen to the zebra calls. With elated guests we left the lions in the same spot and decided to head on and see what else our morning had in store for us.

Sub adult lioness listening to alarm calling zebra.

The 2 sub-adults this morning

But as I was leaving the sighting I noticed more lions moving about in the bushes in front of us, as we got closer I saw three adult lionesses and some of the cubs, they were eating a zebra they must have killed during the night. The whole pride had been there the entire time we had been sitting with the other lions without us even realizing it. All eight cubs were there, full bellied and looking amazing. It seems a zebra doesn't go a long way with all the hungry mouths so i think these lionesses have got their work cut out for them raising this bunch as there was pretty much just scraps left from the kill. We stayed with the lions until one by one they all got up and moved a little distance from the kill and settled down to sleep off their bulging stomachs.

Lion cubs everywhere...the sight we were greeted with when we found the kill

A very full, very tired little cub

A break between meals for 2 of the cubs

After a celebratory coffee stop, we came across a nice big herd of elephants which turned out to be a very fitting way to end a fantastic morning drive. We watched the herd as they fed around us before they slowly moved off and we headed back to camp for a well deserved breakfast.

Spending time with the elephants

Our view of the elephants

Photography and written by: Greg McCall-Peat