Cat Lover’s Adventure in South Africa

Childless cat lady – that’s me.  I have been passionate about felines all my life, and have always had a cat, or several cats, in my life.

My safari to South Africa last summer gave me the opportunity to observe big cats in the wild.  It was thrilling, and fascinating to learn more about these majestic creatures from the guides and trackers.  In many cases, they know the animals, and their backstories, well. 

On the drive from the airport to my first safari lodge:  a leopard sighting. Driver Cheryl pointed out that the spotted feline was stalking a kudo, well camouflaged in the bush. Numerous cars had pulled over to observe.  Alas, we had to move on. Did the leopard succeed?  Or, did the kudo live another day?  

The next day on a safari trek, another leopard. This one was lounging near a tree with a hyena and a wildebeest not far off.   The partially-eaten carcass of an impala was lodged high up in the tree branches. We learned that leopards, excellent climbers, often drag their kill up trees to protect it from hungry predators.  

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Hyena in the background in photo on the left.

Hyenas are scavengers– and ferocious. We were told they charge any animal, except a male lion.  A leopard would not likely charge a hyena – too risky, according to the guide.  In this instance, the hyena and wildebeest were waiting for the cat to return to the tree and have another go at the carcass, hoping some tasty morsels would fall to the ground.

The leopard, named Raven Scott, was well known to our crew. He, and other wildlife in this park, are regularly monitored and studied.

Later our tracker zeroed in on lion tracks, but no lion to be found.  He did smell the pee of a leopard.  “It smells like popcorn,” he said.  The potent urine smell is used to signal reproductive status, mark territory, and communicate with other leopards.

During excursions from my next safari lodge in another part of Greater Kruger, lions stole the show. 

A family group lounging in the sun on an abandoned airport runway intrigued us.   The guide said the male had made a recent kill of a buffalo.  He and two lionesses were knocked out, digesting their feast.  We could see the lion’s bloated stomach. He obviously savored “a lion’s share” of that buffalo.

We later returned to the site. The lion had departed, but the “girls” were still enjoying R & R.    

Lions are the only social cat, we learned.  Family groups stay together.  Not so with the leopard and other cats who are solitary souls, only getting together to mate or raise cubs.

The following day our eagle-eye guide found the lion with his leftover kill.   Vultures hovering above and a strong putrid stench led us to him.  He was sacked out, a pause after yet another feast. Again, we could see his enlarged stomach.  The rotting carcass and zillions of flies were nearby.

We returned later.  He was awake and joined by his brother.  They shared the carcass until one got fed up and growled. The other took no chances.  He seized a hunk and moved away.

There was also a leopard sighting later that day– another beauty, this one snoozing in a tree in what seemed a most uncomfortable position. That fabulous signature tail dangled from the branches. Leopard tails, which are almost as long as the animal’s body, are used for balance while climbing.

I was elated with all the cat sightings.  For a cat lady, it was awesome. But, also good to come home to my Simba.

I booked my African adventure, South Africa (Kruger) and Madagascar, with Worldwide Quest, http://www.worldwidequest.com

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Today’s Taste, a winner of a holiday cookie: Christmas Cookies: Cranberry Walnut Delights

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