Lion Around in the Bush

Came out of the bush yesterday from Greater Kruger National Park (no Internet service) in South Africa where we had great game viewing, great weather and a true communing with nature in our remote safari lodge, where the shower drained slowly due to a backup of dung beetles swirling down the drain as we dodged them in our daily soapings. And oh, by the way, I never thought I would hear myself say, "I'll have the warthog stew," but I did.

Loved all the animals, but the elusive leopard was a real treat when we came upon it in the woodlands as it had a bead on a small herd of impala. I'm afraid our presence thwarted its efforts, but only temporarily, I'm sure.

We were incredibly close to the leopard and to the lions (20 feet -- an easy leap) in our open Land Rover. The guide assured us they see the vehicle and not the humans in it, and advised us from standing and breaking our horizon line, lest they see us for what we were -- tasty -- and some of us more well marbled than others!

However, the lions seemed sated, as they lazed and lolled near a well-eaten giraffe carcass. The suckling cub in particular grabbed our attention. And when the cocktail hour rolled around, our guide and our tracker assured us we could climb down from the Land Rover for a pleasant sundowner of libations and hors d'oeuvres at an unoccupied watering hole, giving that term a whole new meaning as we sipped wine and gin and tonics in the bush.