Our peaceful morning coffee on deck was suddenly interrupted by the unmistakable roar of a big male lion. The deep, booming sound resonated across the riverbed, sending a primal shiver down each of our spines. In moments like these, there’s a palpable shift in the atmosphere. It’s no longer just morning coffee; it’s an invitation into the wild. Without hesitation, we hurriedly downed our coffees, eager to answer the call of the wilderness. My friend and tracker, Euce Madonsela, was already in the vehicle and ready to go.
A scene like this awaited us, we hoped!
As we set off, the challenge of finding the lion became clear. The roars echoed off the terrain, reverberating through the landscape and making it tricky to pinpoint exactly where he was. This was where teamwork—and technology—came in handy. Radios crackled to life as we communicated our plans and split up to cover different areas. Andrea Sithole took the northern bank, Keagan Chasenski followed the River Road, and we ventured south. The excitement was palpable as we spread out into the wild, the anticipation of finding one of nature’s most iconic predators building with each passing moment.
Checking the river
Before long, we found the first sign—a clear track cutting straight through the middle of our search area, veering slightly toward the river. It was fresh, likely no more than a few hours old. The rumbling bass of the lion’s territorial call echoed once again, this time closer. The sound sent a thrill through us. This was what we were here for—a direct encounter with raw nature, the kind that makes your heart race.
Fresh tracks leading toward the river
All three vehicles converged on the sound, each of us closing in on the lion’s position. Tracker Ray Mabelane, Keagan’s partner, jumped down from his vehicle to walk along the river line. On foot, Ray could listen more accurately without the noise of the engines. His task was simple but crucial: pinpoint the exact direction of the lion’s calls. As we pressed forward, I spotted Andrea’s vehicle heading toward us from the opposite direction. We met briefly to discuss our next steps, trying to piece together the lion’s movements from the clues we had. It was then that we heard a commotion in the thick brush to the east, it was the final desperate moments of a large kudu bull’s life. We rushed toward the sound, and there, still panting from the exertion of the takedown, we found two young lions, a male and a female. We had missed the takedown by mere minutes, maybe even seconds!
As we positioned ourselves, we watched as the two young predators began feeding on the carcass, their instincts driving them to feed as quickly as possible. Despite their apparent dominance over this carcass, they were far from relaxed. The deep territorial roar of the male lion echoed again in the distance, a reminder that their feast could be interrupted at any moment. Their ears twitched nervously, scanning the surroundings, always alert. The roar was a warning, a claim to this territory, and the young lions knew better than to invite trouble.
We had a decision to make. Do we continue our search for the roaring male, or stay and witness with the two as they feasted? Ultimately, we chose to stay. This was a rare and special moment, one that couldn’t be rushed. After all, it’s not every day that you get the chance to watch two apex predators in the act of devouring their hard-won prize. We decided to give it a little more time.
And so, we stayed, watching the two sub-adults gorge themselves, their attention solely on the carcass as the distant roars of the male lion continued, an accompaniment to the incredible scene unfolding before us. In those moments, the wilderness felt vast and ancient, with the roar of the lion serving as a reminder of the unbroken cycle of life and death, power and survival. We had come in search of one lion but found a scene even more profound. You just never know the gifts that nature may provide.
0 Comments
on Roars In The River And An Unexpected Twist