Lions and Leopards OH MY!

We had a very early wake up call at 5:15am for a 6:15am game drive, but it was well worth it. Most of the animals, in particular the lions, are more active in the early morning and at dusk. This is because it is less hot and they use less energy to get food or move around.

We started the day with a beautiful Serengeti sunrise.

This morning was full of lions!!!! They are beautiful creatures. A few fun facts:

• 10% of all lions are in the Serengeti 

• 40% of all lions are in Tanzania 

• Only 10% of baby cubs survive to adulthood

  • Even though lions are fierce the young still have many predators and some die due to distemper

• Bachelor prides feed themselves

• Dominant males usually get fed by females

• Lions see well at night for hunting

• Moms can have up to 4 cubs

• 110 days  (3.5 months) gestation

• Can have babies up to 2 times each year

• Whiskers pattern on the lions face is related to this family group

We started off seeing a pride of lions on a rock. Which is one of their favorite places to lay - a nice warm rock. Just like the Pride Rock in Lion King (hahaha). Feeling like we should have watched the Lion King again before we left for Safari :-) The baby cubs in this photos are only about 3 weeks to one month old. All of the lions are females in these photos below.

We next headed over to see a kill that had happened earlier. A group of young male lions were just getting done with their breakfast. We think they had killed a young wildebeest. You can see one male with a rib cage and one with the leg of the wildebeest.

Then we saw a lioness. When we first approached it was just the lioness with her recent kill. Also we think a young wildebeest. She chased away a few vultures. Then she went back to the carcass and made a call to her cubs. They came running over to join her and eat.

We came back for brunch and then had time to enjoy the property. We hung out at the pool and relaxed after our early wake up call. Very cool to be able to sit in the infinity pool and see zebras behind you.

We left for our next game ride at 4pm. It was another incredible ride. The highlight was a leopard we saw. Leopards are rare to see and we have been lucky enough to see one twice. A few leopard facts:

• Found in trees

• Can live to be 14 years in the wild

• Chase down its prey

• Males and females hunt

• Solitary life style

• See well at night for hunting

Now the VERY exciting part. The leopard got up and decided to take it's kill, which was a warthog, and bring it up into the tree to eat. It was amazing to watch. Our guide had never seen this happen.

Here is a quick video so you can see it live!

All in all a VERY exciting day! We start again tomorrow with a 7am game ride!

Thanks for following along!