When the Bush Calls: Lions, Jackals, and an Unexpected Detour

As a privately owned wildlife reserve, we as co-owners have the privilege of driving around at any time of day or night—and, when the occasion allows, even off-road (within limits, of course). Once you’ve passed your 4×4 and first aid exams, you can venture out without a guide.
There’s nothing quite like choosing your own adventure: whether it’s waiting quietly at a waterhole for thirsty animals or soaking up a beautiful sunset at your favourite spot.

But sometimes, the radio crackles with exciting calls that pull you away from your plans. This time, it was news of two male lions that had brought down a zebra deep in the bush. After a challenging drive through thick vegetation (with help from one of our guides), we found them: two magnificent lions—one busy feeding, the other keeping a cautious watch from beneath a bush and later in the tall grass.

Adding to the scene was a cheeky family of black-backed jackals, skulking around the edges as only jackals can—always opportunists, ever hopeful for a free meal. They darted in and out, testing their luck, calculating whether stealing a bite was worth risking the lions’ wrath. But as for whether they managed to grab a morsel… well, that part of the story remains strictly “classified” in the jackal world.

Want to be a part of Limpopo-Lipadi’s adventures? For discreet information on share sales, contact generalmanager@limpopo-lipadi.org. To book a safari, request our rates via reservations@limpopo-lipadi.org or via WhatsApp: (+267) 76770191