Shortly after brunch, another guest spotted a pride of lions crossing the river. I mentioned this to JJ, who was thrilled to embark on a chase. Our drive commenced swiftly, driven by the desire to catch up with them. We made our way to our vehicle and set off.

As we navigated through the dense brush, I managed to spot the lions. JJ was overjoyed, knowing that he could position himself in front of them, ensuring excellent lighting conditions for capturing photographs.

I tried my best to lean out of the vehicle with my camera to get shots lower and closer to the eye level of the animals.

JJ suggested we head over to a hyena den to see if there was any activity. After a 15–20 minute drive, we turned into the den area—only to find our path blocked by a sleepy hyena sprawled across the track. JJ eased the vehicle forward, inching closer in hopes she’d move, but she stubbornly held her ground. Eventually, we admitted defeat and carried on in search of other sightings.

As we drove along, JJ caught a call on the radio—there was a leopard perched on a rock. We headed straight for the spot, where another vehicle was already waiting. But let me back up for a moment. When we first arrived at camp, JJ asked what we were hoping to see on this trip. My wife laughed and teased, “He has a list.” JJ raised an eyebrow and asked what was on it, so I laid out the highlights: a leopard on a rock, a leopard in a tree, a hunt or kill from any predator, a leopard drinking at the water’s edge, and a martial eagle. From that point on, he made a genuine effort to help me tick off those boxes—a touch I really appreciated.

While we admired the leopard lounging on the rock, word came through that a group of lions had been spotted nearby. Curiosity won out, and we set off to find them. The terrain wasn’t easy—strewn with rocks and obstacles that forced us to crawl along slowly—but we arrived just in time to catch the big male stirring awake and beginning to move.

As we drove through the darkness, JJ swept a handheld spotlight back and forth across the bush, searching for signs of movement. Then, with a sudden swing of the beam, the night erupted in surprise—a massive rhino stood just thirty feet away, revealed in an instant of light.

As we watched the Rhino, JJ spotted the smallest creature I think a guide has ever spotted on one of our safaris. A tiny chameleon was in the tree in front of us. JJ had to take some time to show us where it was, as it blended in perfectly. I still am amazed he spotted it.

By now, night had fully settled in. We drove on with headlights cutting through the blackness while JJ swept the spotlight across the bush. Then, out of the dark, two lions appeared—stalking impala in the distance. The scene was hushed, touched only by the glow of the full moon slipping through the clouds. The lions held steady, never making their move, and we were just about to turn back when a hyena suddenly crept up from behind. For a moment, we thought it might shift the balance, draw the impala’s attention, and spark the hunt. But the moment passed quietly, and we eventually made our way back to the lodge.