Very few things can get the adrenaline pumping through your body like a face-to-face close encounter with a wild lion in the African bush. While this encounter might seem calm and very quiet, it is more about everything that is racing through your mind while staying calm that makes up the whole story.
While leading a safari in the Kruger National Park, we were fortunate enough to have found a pride of lions. After spending time with the pride, some of the members, a female and three young males decided to slowly move on. We slowly followed them while they got going. The lions were in no hurry and slowly made their way along a game trail in the bush. We parked on the side of the road to get a better view of the lions walking by. While all the lions continued along the game path in the bush, the female decided she was going to take the road with least resistance, straight down the road towards our vehicle. I had three guests on my vehicle and they all quickly moved to the opposite row of seats. Of course, I had my camera filming and as the driver and guide I can’t really leave my seat. I kept filming and the lioness looked like she was not going to change course. I made sure everybody on the vehicle kept very silent and I knew I just had to stay calm and still. No erratic movements or behaviour and you will be fine. While I know in my mind that the lioness has the ability to jump onto the vehicle and make me disappear, I also know that the lioness doesn’t know that she can do that. True wild lions do not see vehicles as any threat, danger, or food. So, they just ignore it eventually. As long as there are no loud noises or any erratic behaviours or movements, everyone will be fine. With all that in mind, the lioness casually walked right past me in the driver seat. Those big yellow eyes briefly glanced at me and the vehicle as she walked by. Still, with having all this confidence in my mind, the adrenaline was pumping, and I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer presence and size of a lion when seen up close like this. Made me feel totally insignificant in that moment. A heart racing experience indeed.