Chengeta Lodge and Lion & Cheetah Park

Surrounding village life.

On Easter Sunday, the whole family went to Chengeta Lodge, a little over an hour from our house. After lunch with the other tourists in the shade of the trees in the courtyard, Nana, Eliza, Miles and I rode in open truck to the nearby Pamuzinda Lodge to see a relatively tame elephant family. It was the first time we'd been on the ground close to a mother and calf (16-months-old and named Mambo!). It scares me to death to have my children standing so close to those huge, heavy feet, but Nana was cool as a cucumber and enjoyed getting to touch the elephant's prickly-haired skin.

Brave Nana and Eliza.

Nana gets her safari.

That evening we went on a game drive with David joining us. We saw wildebeest, giraffe, impala, and monkeys. Mom was impressed with the fact that pregnant impala can stop labor if they sense a predator is near or if it starts raining. Also, interesting fact: the leaves of the acacia trees will start to turn bitter a little while after giraffes start to eat them, so the giraffe has to keep moving from tree to tree and the tree has a chance to keep some of its leaves, unlike the bottom half of the fig tree below.

Giraffe heads to fig tree for sunset snack. Note leaf line marking highest point giraffes can reach.

Next morning, Mom and I went on a walking safari - more wildebeest and impala, plus the little creatures - birds and insects. On the way back, we stopped at the fenced in lion den and got to see this beauty draped over a tree branch to avoid the flies below.

Up to now, no lions have escaped their den by using the branches that hang over the fence.

While I was standing up against the chain-link fence taking the above photo, the male in her pride charged me with a giant growl. The guide (and mom) thought it was hilarious. I recovered my composure while standing safely behind a tree.

Sign reads: For your safety, do NOT pass this border.

Then after breakfast, I took the kids to see the lion that charged me. One lion charge at Eliza, and the two of us left David and Miles to hang with the lions by themselves.

Sharpening her claws just outside my car window (Hell, yes, it was closed.)

On the way home, we stopped at the Lion & Cheetah Park, just outside the city. You drive around an area with loads of lions just wandering around your car. Great fun until your husband starts opening the sun roof as a joke.

David cuddles a lion cub.

David had the chance to play with a lion cub, something he has wanted to do for a long time. Very sweet! (As I safely stayed on the other side of the fence with our appetizing looking children.)

More photos from the trip: