There's nothing quite like spotting big cats, as we discover in the South Luangwa. With a thrill of excitement we spot two lionesses. They don't hang around - our guide says Keenan says they are off to find water for an evening drink.
Like a man with the scent of big cats in his nostrils, Keenan keeps driving. He's right - within minutes we see Nip Nose, one of the lions who live in the area. He's watching over a kill - the carcass of an impala. We watch with bated breath as Nip Nose waits, and waits.
Eventually, like any hungry man, Nip Nose cracks. He makes a start on the impala, ripping at it with his huge teeth. However, we haven't got time to hang around and find out what the two lionesses have to say when they return and find Nip Nose has started dinner without them. We've got a date with a more elusive big cat - a leopard. South Luangwa is a particularly good place for sightings of these spotty beasts.
With all the languid poise and grace you could hope for, our leopard is lounging on a branch. He's almost too lazy to take any notice of us, only the odd flick of the tail gives any clue that he's awake at all. But for one moment his eyes open, and I find myself in the extremely privileged position of locking gaze with a leopard. A truly magical moment.
Like a man with the scent of big cats in his nostrils, Keenan keeps driving. He's right - within minutes we see Nip Nose, one of the lions who live in the area. He's watching over a kill - the carcass of an impala. We watch with bated breath as Nip Nose waits, and waits. 
Eventually, like any hungry man, Nip Nose cracks. He makes a start on the impala, ripping at it with his huge teeth. However, we haven't got time to hang around and find out what the two lionesses have to say when they return and find Nip Nose has started dinner without them. We've got a date with a more elusive big cat - a leopard. South Luangwa is a particularly good place for sightings of these spotty beasts. 
With all the languid poise and grace you could hope for, our leopard is lounging on a branch. He's almost too lazy to take any notice of us, only the odd flick of the tail gives any clue that he's awake at all. But for one moment his eyes open, and I find myself in the extremely privileged position of locking gaze with a leopard. A truly magical moment.
Leave a comment