Last October, the Kruger National Park (KNP) was rather crowded because of the South African school holidays, to the point that most camps were full, and so were the roads, particularly in the south. We had booked Skukuza Rest Camp for a couple of nights so that we could see this camp and drive to one of our favourites, Lower Sabie Rest Camp on the shores of the Sabie River where we had spent some good hours while in Mozambique.

At the KNP most visitors follow a clear movement pattern. By about 18 hours they are preparing their braai (barbeque). They eat and go to bed early so, by the following morning they get up very early and go out for game drives or to move to another camp. We saw car queues waiting for the gate of the camp to be opened!

So, we rarely go out that early and just choose our route and follow it. Of course, if we find a group of cars, we stop to watch. The game drive to Lower Sabie was packed with cars so, after reaching it, we decided to turn around so that we could, at least, have a decent lunch at Skukuza.

We were driving back (me complaining about the number of people and cars, as usual!) when we found ourselves facing a car convoy coming towards us. In front of the cars, a lioness was coming so, without having been involved in the affair, we were enjoying a close-up of the animal as all the other cars truly chasing her, stopped because of our presence!

This gave the lioness some respite and she relaxed and walked within a couple of metres from us. Surprised, we watched and took a few rushed shots of her. Once the lioness disappeared, we stayed put, waiting for the road block in front of us to clear. Then we saw another tawny shape heading for us and, for the next 10 minutes we had a parade of ten more lions walking in front of us until the last one, a rather thin-looking adult male brought the rear.

After the last lion passed, we continued on our way while everyone else continue folloowing the lions to the river behind us.

It was a most surprising find that made our journey back more jolly and gave us good conversation during our lunch.