A Big Five safari is no longer a hunting expedition for lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, and leopards, but a journey into the secrets of nature.
In the words of Alfred Bernhard Nobel: "Nature is man's teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, illumes his mind, and purifies his heart; an influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence."
At Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa nestled in the picturesque Waterberg biosphere in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, the Big Five safari is a trip worth taking. Our luxurious lodges provide the perfect springboards from where guests can explore the pristine 8 700 hectares of conservation land. More than 4 000 head of game from 35 animal species roam the private game farm including the sable and cheetah.
Below are some interesting facts about lions which more often than not form the focus of a Big Five safari. You will learn even more secrets through the experienced Big Five safari rangers at Ka'Ingo. Be sure to bring your camera along as you may just stumble on National Geographic footage of a lion pride on the hunt.
Lion - the king of the jungle
Lions often have the reputation of being fierce man eaters, even though more human lives are lost at the jaws of crocodiles than lions. Lions are not man hunters as myths suggest, but they are worthy of respect.
Lions are built for killing. Their massive jaws are just one of the tools used. The forepart of a lion's body is extremely strong and only the tiger has more strength than the lion. This is what gives it the power to break an antelope's back with one blow of its powerful paw. The forelimbs are extremely movable because of the twist in the bones of the animal's front legs.
Lions move almost without a sound because of the soft padding under their paws, which explains why they can manage to get so close to their prey. They put the main part of their weight on the large padded area of the paws, but walk mostly on their toes. Their claws are retractable to keep them sharp. They sometimes pick their teeth after a delicious gourmet meal of fresh wild meat. This is done with a dewclaw which of course also has other uses.
The mane of the male grows darker and longer with age. Many people have asked about the use for so much hair which seems quite heavy and warm during the summer months. Apart from protecting the male lion when he engages in fierce fights, the mane is also used to show off. Although unproven, it seems that females "fall in love" with males easier when they have an impressive show of mane. As the lion male grows older, the colour of his mane deepens.
Discover the secrets of lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and more while on a unique Big Five Safari at the Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa where you can enjoy guided bush walks, open vehicle game drives, bush dining and wine tasting all at one game farm. Contact us on the central reservations number to book a week of unforgettable exploration of the wildlife found in the Waterberg biosphere.
SOURCES:
www.lionlamb.us/lion/lionfact.html
Click to Print this page
