Zim-Zam-Bot - Part 2

The hostel where we stayed had many different activities you can book. I decided to go on the Lion Encounter where you get to walk with cubs and adolescent lions. When we arrived at the site, we were shown a video on the lion project that this excursion helps fund. This project has four different stages. The first stage takes lions as cubs and protects them until they are mature enough to start learning how to hunt. This is the stage where they go on walks with people. The second stage is where they have to learn to hunt on their own. In this stage, they are in a sheltered environment with no competition for their meals. Also at this stage, human contact is cut off. In the third stage, the lions are released into a larger area (about 10,000 acres) where they still have to hunt on their own, but now with competitors such as hyenas. During the third stage they are monitored to make sure they are able to survive on their own in the wild and to ensure they are bonding with their pride. They must also reach sexual maturity during this stage. The fourth and final stage is when they are released completely into the wild. All lions do have microchips so that they can be tracked in the wild.

After the video we were given some rules on how to behave close to the lions. The lions are not trained in any way and are still wild animals, even though they are more used to humans because of the daily walks. We each were given a walking stick to use if the lions started to approach us to distract them. We were also told to stay behind the animals and to stay in the group – to not look like vulnerable prey.

Our group met Bisa and Bemba two 18 month old female lions. You can tell that they are still young lions because they haven’t lost all of their spots.

We were given a chance to pet them as they were laying there and it was crazy kneeling behind a cat this big! But very, very cool.

I also got to be one of the ones to walk beside the lions.

The walk lasted about an hour and we just followed the cats as they made their own path. They have a mind of their own and would just decide to lay down at times to rest. Eventually they would get back up and join the rest of us. It was a cool experience, but was a little pricey for the hour we spent with the lions. But at least the proceeds go to the project to help repopulate lions in the area.

We walked with the lions early in the morning and I was back to the hostel before the 10am shuttle to the falls, so I decided to go back to the falls, but to see the Zimbabwe side.

I went with three other volunteers, Quinn, Rob, and Sam. I’m really glad that I went with this group because the reactions of both Rob and Sam were priceless. They had not yet seen the falls and their enthusiasm and excitement were intoxicating. Also on this side of the falls, you get completely soaked with the mist. But you are able to see a little more when the wind cooperates and moves the mist aside for a moment. Because of all the rain, I wasn’t able to get too many pictures.

At the end of the trail, you can walk out onto some rocks and just let the mist soak you. As we were walking away, I looked back and the wind moved the mist enough for me to watch a whole tree go over the falls! Roots and all! These are some really powerful falls. I love waterfalls, so I would have loved to be able to see more of them without the mist, but the mist is what made part of the experience. I would like to try to go back during the dry season to see the difference. One thing that is so interesting about the park is that the only barriers between you and the drop off the cliff are natural shrubs. It’s nice to not have too much man made obstructions when you are seeing such natural beauty.

After a full day of exploring, I had a nice family style Chinese dinner with Rachel, Lindsey and Stephanie. A good way to end the day.