Pride of Place

We got to walk with lions! This was another amazing experience to add to those we've already had on this trip. 6 of us, with 5 guides walking for about 30 minutes with 4 lionesses rangin in age from 7 months to 18 months. They are magnificent animals and really gave us one of the most surreal half hours. At one moment like giant kittens, at the next you were very well-aware that they could bring you down and snack on you!

Paws the size of dinner plates, coats both rough and soft and tails (which you could hold - 'lion leash') with funny fluffy tips.

Edward initially was trepidatious, but eventually, with all of us, enjoyed the unique experience.

Our day ended with a game drive and meal, the highlight of which was possibly not the food (prepared perhaps by hand-grenade) but we saw BLACK RHINO! An incredible piece of luck and something to put into the memory bank. Our guide, Joseph, managed to drive the 4-wheel drive with one hand whilst holding a strong lamp in the other and spotting the largest collection of chameleons we've ever seen. Our companions, Edward (an Afrikaaner) and Valeria (from Italy via the Seychelles) were great company and very well-informed. Despite freezing on the way back in the jeep, we were all very happy campers to get back to the hotel and fall into bed.

Tomorrow, it's shopping in the town!