The Lion Tamer

As we rose before the sun the camp was still and silent. The Okavango Delta is eerily beautiful at this time. Myself, four others and our guide, Kapinga, set off into the unknown of the bush. A buzz of excitement could be felt within the group as we knew anything could happen. Yet it appeared our enthusiasm had been misplaced. All we had seen one day was one jackal, hardly inspiring.
All of a sudden one of the group members became startled, something had been spotted. Though it turns out we were the ones being watched! About 100 metres away in the long, burnt grass, barely visible, there lay a group of lions fixated on us! We couldn't believe it, this was real, this was wild, this was Africa! Almost immediately two lionesses stood up and appeared to venture towards us. Were they going to circle us, were we breakfast?! We stood still and silent, waiting. Dont run, that was rule number one! Luckily they nonchalantly strolled off into the distance. However, the king of the pride remained, a huge male. He stared ominously at us, eyeing up his prize! As i tried to get the perfect picture, Kapinga Beckoned me back to the group. Rule number two, stay together! I was lucky, as soon as i rejoined the group a roar filled the empty air and sent a chill down my spine. The lion was tearing towards us leaving only a trail of dust in it's wake! All we could do was stand and hope. Kapinga had no weapons, just his arms to flail and his voice to shout back. We stood open mouthed and waited, someone could die.
I don't know how but Kapinga's actions worked and the lion suddenly halted and trooted off in disgust after the rest of his party. We were pumped with adrenaline and ran over to where the lions had been. We soon saw breakfast had already been served. A wildebeest had been hunted down and all but the skin and bones remained. No blood, no mess. No one could believe it, not even the guide, he hadnt seen a lion there in seven years! I'll never forget that morning in the wild.