Hunting Lions - Leeuwbosch Lodge Day 1

July 22, 2010
We left Hartzview after breakfast brunch for a 2 hour drive to Leeuwbosch Lodge where we went to hunt lions. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the owner Ida. We got settled into our chalet and started to get ready for the afternoon hunt. Ida prepared a nice snack for us before we left. We had our backpacks, cameras, guns and ammunition all put on the truck. We boarded our hunting vehicle and went through 3 secure gates to finally arrive in the 10,000 acres where the lions call home. There are only 6 lionesses and 4 males on the property. There are danger signs of lions everywhere you turn before you enter the last gate into what I called the "litter box". I referred to that area as a littler box because the landscape is sand with thick frozen brush from an obvious cold winter. The only thing that was alive was a tree filled with 2 inch thorns that were literally everywhere..... they lined the sandy roads that we drove down. Ocasionally, we would see fields of bushes filled with a beautiful little yellow flowers that had the sweetest scent. As you drove around you could smell that fragrance. It was another beautiful afternoon, not a cloud in the sky and very cool. I must also tell you that the black mambas love this area, which terrified me more than the lion. We(Ruan, the driver, Tinkling,the tracker, Casper and Jacques, the PH,Harold, the videographer,Richard, Hill, Sarah, and I drove around the sandy roads. We had not even driven the roads for more than an hour when Tinkling noticed a track and after measuring the track against a bullet, it was determined that it was a female...Richard's hunt. Sarah and I decided to observe the hunt from the truck. We did not miss a thing....we were not brave enough to get out of the truck. Within 10 minutes we spotted the lion..... she was sunning after her meal. As the group stalked her they were lined like soldiers one behind the other, guns were loaded and hanging on their shoulders. As they approached the lioness, Richard, Casper, and Jacque, were side by side, guns pointing in the direction of the lion. The others fell to the back watching what was going to be a 20-30 yard shot. The first shot was made.... in her throat, then 4 more. After pictures and a celebratory beer, we loaded the truck back to the chalet where we ended with a fire and a traditional south african meal..... oxtails with carrots and potatoes, also, with all the trimmings. We were in bed early to get our rest for what would be the hunt for the Male Lion the next morning. As we sat by the fire and also, while in our beds, the sounds of the lions were in the background, grunting and growling. If there was any question you were in the bush..... we had our answer!!! Until tomorrow......
xoxoxoxoxo, L.B