I now have the courage to tell you. Safari anecdote.

Posted by: Tony Lockhart on 07 November 2005

Now that 3 weeks or so have passed, I feel I can pass on the story without giving myself nightmares.

We were on a morning game drive, me, my wife and the guide David. David was a very cool Maasi, and a top guide. As is usual during a long drive, I needed a wee. The Selous is twice the size of Wales, more interesting, friendlier, but has no public toilets.... so bush or tree it has to be. David stopped the Land Rover and pointed out a convenient tree 10 yards behind the vehicle.

So, out of the Landy I popped and made my way over to the tree, trusting David's decision blindly. I was just about to un-zip when I heard a noisy rustling in some bushes 20 odd yards away. I looked up just in time to see a fully grown male lion leaping out! Thankfully away from me! I was a bit stunned for a few seconds, then turned to David and Joanna and in a childish tone said "LION!". "We know!", they replied, "Get in the car....."

I did, quickly.

We managed to find the beasty a couple of minutes later. Sorry about the picture quality, but here he is. All teeth and muscles of him:



Tony

ps. Safari anyone?
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by Stephen B
Ahh, I'm sure he's really quite friendly - don't know why you didn't chase him to give him a nice big cuddle.

Actually, I stood face to face with a stuffed one at the Natural History Museum in London a couple of weeks ago. That was scary enough for me.
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by Jagdeep
And I had lunch in the bluewhale
Jag Big Grin
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by andy c
i have sooo got to do a safari one day...
can you tell me who you booked it with etc please?
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by Tony Lockhart
We booked it all with Sunvil ( http://www.sunvil.co.uk ). An excellent company with a personal touch ( they even supply you with the boss's mobile number, just in case...).
We flew with BA to Dar Es Salaam from Thiefrow, then Coastal Airways (8 seater, twin piston engined jobbie) to the Selous. After 6 nights in the Selous at the Sand Rivers Lodge ( http://www.sand-rivers-selous.com/ ) we went to Zanzibar for 5 nights of relaxing. We then returned to Dar then Thiefrow again.
We used Sunvil last year for Zambia after seeing Ginny Buckley's programme on the Sausage Tree Camp in the top 10 something or other holidays.
Sunvil will tailor your holiday to suit, but just bear in mind that some of the internal flights can be what determines how long you stay at each lodge.
For clothing we found that only Tilly will do as it looks good, doesn't make you sweat and dries quickly if you need to wash it!
Buy a good digi SLR, at least a 300mm lens and a pair of Leica bins. Then just let the guide take the strain!
One more thing. The Selous, like the Lower Zambezi National Park we visited last year, doesn't suffer from one poor leopard being surrounded by a fleet of Toyota Hi-Aces full of camera-wielding tourists. Sometimes we'd go hours without seeing another soul. Bliss.

Tony
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by Onthlam
Tony-

Err, Did you get to pee outside your pants? Eek
Posted on: 07 November 2005 by Tony Lockhart
Funnily enough I managed to wait another 15 minutes!

Tony
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by andy c
Tony,
I have saved the links you have posted. thank you very much.

regards

andy.
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by Tony Lockhart
No problem. Any other questions message me if you want.

Tony
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by Steve G
At the risk of being crude I suspect that a no.1 toilet stop would have rapidly become a no.2 toilet stop had a lion jumped out of a bush anywhere near me!
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by Tony Lockhart
I think every orifice in my body was clamped tight and the adrenaline button was just about to be pushed. I stood no chance of covering the short distance to the Landie though.
Anyone know the 0-50mph time of a lion?

Tony
Posted on: 08 November 2005 by Rasher
I don't think you really want to know. Eek