Cheetahs At Last!

May 19^th

On our way to Lake Manyara - we go back to the place where we left the cheetas yesterday. There were two small hills in the sea of grass. We perched on top of one hill. A family of mongoose occupy a termite mound and engage our attention. But all of us are scanning he grass for the cheetah! The place were we left her yesterday has some zebras now. On the opposite side I spot some gazelles running away in a hurry. I focus my binocs in that direction and see a familiar stance of a spotted cat. Its blurred and I am not sure. I ask Ezeck for confirmation and he is excited! We start driving in that direction. No one in the group has spotted them yet! Ezeck loses direction after some time. I am focused in the general area and now can see more movement. It’s the same cheetah and her cubs. We pull over right next to her. She has managed to bring down a wildebeest calf and her calves are feasting on it now. She is alert and watchful. Never lets down her vigil. I have goose pimples as I film her! What a beautiful moment.

I have been dreaming of animals all the days of my trip. I tell my kids I want to stay back and become a safari guide. People reading this – check with me before you make your travel plan to Africa – I may be a safari guide by then! At least I am a good spotter – I got the Rhino, jackal and now the cheetah!

We drive off and come by a spotted hyena. He is following a scent – Ezeck tells me that hyenas can smell a kill over large distances. He may be headed to the cheetah’s meals. I pray that the cheetah’s eat well before the hyena gets there!