Ultimate African Tiger
Fishing Safaris
1997
Ultimate African Tiger Fishing Safari Throughout the night lions could be heard. The ruckus started around midnight, far in the distance. By 3 AM the lions were passing the lodge. The baboons barked nervously in the trees. No matter how many times you hear a lion roar it brings your senses to life…sharpens your awareness…it sets you on edge. As I listened to the chorus of the African night I fell into a deep sleep only to be woken by the morning sun shining across my bed. Outside my chalet I found Sukh and Dave. I explained that I wasn’t feeling well and wished them best of luck on the river. I watched as they joined Troy, loaded their gear and drove off in a cloud of dust towards the jetty. I poured a cup of tea and settled in for a relaxing day at the lodge. Little did I know that Sukh and Dave were being treated to an incredible show…a show of life and death deep in the African bush. As the Land Rover approached the jetty the drama unfolded. The pride of lions who had made their way through camp last night (an incidentally pulled the table cloth of the dining table) had been stalking a baby hippo and as the Rover came to a stop one of the female lions leapt forward grabbing the young hippo by the neck. The baby hippo’s mother became enraged charging the female lion. Dave pulled out his video camera and began to film. The hippo mother successfully fended off the female lion and then stood guard over her dying baby. The other lion’s converged. A lone wild dog (strange as they normally travel in packs) watched with interest from a nearby rise. Despite the hippo mother’s efforts to keep the lions at bay her baby was going to die. The lion pride seemed to sense this and after a few snarling attempts to snatch the young hippo from her mother they settled down in the long grass to wait. The time drew on, punctuated by painful squeals from the baby hippo, as he lay dying. After an hour and a half Troy restarted the Land Rover. He explained that this stalemate would probably continue for several more hours and that the fish were waiting. On the river the wind was up and the fishing was very quiet…a few fish were nosing at the baits but they didn’t want to bite. Some days are like that. Despite the lack luster fishing Dave and Sukh both managed to pull in a couple 10 - 12 pound tiger. Back at the lodge I had fallen asleep. The sun arched slowly across the sky and when I awoke it was low on the horizon. A glance through the trees and I could see that everyone was still out. I made my to the riverside bar. As I stood pouring a drink I heard a grunt. Quietly I set my glass on the bar and moved slowly around the counter edge and peeked out from under the thatch roof. Not more than 2 meters in front of me stood an old male buffalo - one of the most feared animals in all of Africa. I froze as he stared. Another grunt and he resumed eating. Over the next 5 minutes I inched back behind the bar. I noticed another buffalo coming over from behind a tree. Just my luck - I am stuck behind the bar without a gun with a pair of dagga boys a few feet away. Over an hour passed and I could hear a returning Land Rover. But then there was another noise. The sound of branches being ripped from a tree. I peaked out the other side of the bar and noticed that a herd of elephant had arrived. Three females and their young were busy eating acacia pods. One of the elephants walked right up to the bar and stood literally 12 inches from my face. Time continued to pass very slowly. The only thing screening me from the elephant and buffalo was the flimsy reed wall of the bar. As the evening drew on everyone made it safely to the bar. Dinner was served as both the elephant and buffalo foraged around the open dining area. What a pleasure to enjoy a fantastic meal in the middle of the bush with wildlife all around. Like so many other times at Mana Pools, it was like eating in the middle of a zoo exhibit!
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