Lions kill to roll: Video

I flew in the afternoon and found the lions not far from where they’d had their zebra kill. They were west of Chiloveka dam presumably having gone there after their kill to drink as they usually do after a big meal.

They spent half their night still sleeping off their kill but soon after midnight were on the move northwest.
When they arrived at the Chiredzi River, Sjambok was keen to cross into dangerous territory. Another pride owned that side of the river. He started walking through the water in the sandy riverbed, but when it got to 6inches deep he retreated. Not so brave after all.

The Nyari pride continued north along the river making travel for us really difficult with all the dongas/gullies that follow the river. We kept having to leap frog ahead and wait for them.

A herd of buffalo were on the other side of the river, which might be what Sjambok was after. But at dawn they heard buffalo to the east and immediately headed that way. But strangely they didn’t follow through and ended up resting close to the river.
Earlier in the evening Manyari had surprised a francolin and managed to pluck it from the air as it took off. I don’t know why she bothered, as she wasn’t enjoying the meal having to get through all those feathers and then those delicate ‘chicken’ bones that could get stuck in her throat. She eventually gave up rolled on the remains of the carcass. The rest of the pride joined in.

Hopefully tonight the lions will continue to follow up on those buffalo. Action!
On my way out last night I found One-tusk and her family crossing the road. Once they’d crossed I followed after them with One-tusk taking up the rear. I hadn’t seen them for about 2 months and wanted to see if she would still greet me. Slowly she turned round as I got closer. I stopped and switched the engine off. She came ambling to the car, put her head down and pushed on my bull bar pushing the car several meters. Happy with that she moved on again. I can only think this is her way of greeting me. Like clockwork she does this every time I see her. I was just so excited to be remembered by her and to get her normal greeting. She is just amazing!

On my way home this morning I bumped into her again. Again she came to greet me, but this time decided she would push down on the bonnet of the car. Now that’s just not fine and I told her so. She backed off politely. Wow!