Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty . . .
For the ultimate feline encounter, nothing beats coming upon the king of the beasts in the African bush. Close encounters of the safe kind involve searching for these majestic, often marked and scraped creatures with patches of fur missing as they search for food and mates or even while they’re taking a cat nap. Any sighting is worth the price of admission. They look fatigued, stretched out on a flat plain, moving nothing but a flicking tail. The lions rest through the heat of the day, patiently waiting for nightfall when the females set out to find dinner. In their world, a woman’s work is never done. She brings home the gazelle bacon. The male spends his time resting, fighting off competing males and keeping the females pregnant.
My daughter Cecile proposed an African safari. Our travel advisor suggested Kruger National Park, a large preserve in northeastern South Africa with an unparalleled selection of animals and birds. Here it’s possible to spot elephants, water buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and yes, lions. The Big Five! Kruger also boasts skillful, professional guides, integral to the safari experience. These men and occasionally women are part of the private camp experience throughout this part of Africa. The guides can find animals and birds in the most unexpected places, providing guests an opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.
