Thinking about recent events happening here on the reserve – I immediately thought of the film, The Lion King.
It precisely captures the essence of how the circle of life in Africa works. How new life is created and introduced each and every day and how at times we have to bid farewell.
Recently all of us at Vuyani were incredibly thrilled to learn that we have been blessed with new life. Two lion cubs were born on the reserve and this is their story so far: Jacques had tracked the lion for quite some time and his skills had paid off – he found them hiding in the thicket on a very warm and sunny afternoon. Immediately Jacques contacted Quinton (as he is always geared up with his camera) Quinton had managed to get some great shots – as the sun was setting over the Drakensberg and the light had turned into majestic amber.
The following day all the staff huddled around Quinton’s computer to see the photos, immediately Henry said that it seemed like one of the females appeared a little “worn out” like she could have possibly been suckling youngsters. Everybody was instantly keyed up at the prospect of youngsters and the chatter around the coffee table was deafening!
So the tale of Jesse and the lion started. Jesse was convinced that he would track the lion, and he spent nearly a week tirelessly doing so – unfortunately without any luck. Every evening after returning from Safari he looked disappointed, but then set out in the morning even more strong-minded. Well in the end his persistence had paid off!
It was late afternoon and Jesse had decided to take an unknown beaten track that led to some open savannah with sufficient shrub cover – as the lioness would be very protective of her little ones and would try to hide them in the cover as best possible. Jesse had been tracking the ever elusive pride of lion for approximately a week or more. He was absolutely determined to find them, and so he did! Three adult lions fast asleep under the shade of a bush and two very curious little youngsters. What an astonishing moment that must have been!! The guests on the safari at the time, Danny and Kelly were overjoyed; it had also been their last evening safari at Vuyani. Jesse had managed to spend more than an hour with the young pride, getting some nice photos and video footage. Danny and Kelly had said that it was the ultimate moment of their safari in South Africa. Jesse eventually left the pride to their business (which is mostly sleeping) and returned to the lodge to share in the news. Of course all of us at the safari lodge couldn’t stop talking about it, and the first-rate news kept us up until the constellation Orion had long laid his giant head down to rest.
What a brilliant day! These are the days that make us once again comprehend and value all that we are. How fortunate we are to be living in this paradise we call Africa.
This made me think of the film the Lion King as I mentioned earlier. A specific scene to be exact, Mufasa who is young Simba’s father one day said to him:
“A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king”
Will one of these young cubs one day be our very own Simba – the Lion King?
Justine Ferreira
