Rolling across the landscape by your vehicle, you’re scanning the territory for any movement your eye can detect. You’re like a tracker, dizzy from the possibilities waiting for you. Only, in that case, your driver hits the brakes and points.

Here, in the shadow of a nearby bush: lions. Here, in the shadow of a nearby bush: lions. The male lies sluggish, his chin rests on a tree trunk – he is royal, even as he divides his deadly jaws to yawn.

The lioness is next to him, the suppleness of her brown frame does not deny her muscular strength and her threatening potential.

Uninfluenced by your presence, a lion just lied here, just a foot away. Once fixed, raise your camera to photograph the lioness. She’s looking right at you: a very essential safari moment. Those are your first lion. But definitely not the last one.