A rare sight of a pangolin

It was late afternoon during one of my game drives on the reserve, guiding a lovely family staying at Sasakwa Lodge. Our plan that day was clear, we wanted to find the Butamtam Pride and, hopefully, see their young cubs. The sky was heavy with clouds, dark and low, as if rain could fall at any moment and eventually, it did.

We set off from the lodge with high hopes, heading toward the area where the pride had last been seen. Along the way, near the slopes of OP 7, we came across two impressive male lions resting on the edge of the hill. Their golden manes stood out beautifully against the overcast sky. We watched them for a few minutes, taking in their calm yet commanding presence.

But my guests were eager to continue, they were keen on seeing the cubs. So, we moved on, driving uphill toward the rocky outcrop where the females had taken their little ones for safety.

As we approached the area, one of my guests suddenly shouted, “I see a lion cub!” I quickly turned off the engine and looked in the direction they were pointing. But what I saw made me blink in disbelief. It wasn’t a lion cub, it was a pangolin!

I could hardly believe my eyes. A pangolin, one of Africa’s rarest and most elusive creatures, right there in front of us, calmly walking across the open ground. I told my guests, “That’s not a cub, it’s a pangolin! You are witnessing something incredibly special! Excitement filled the vehicle. Cameras came out, smiles widened, and the air buzzed with wonder. The pangolin, seemingly unbothered by our presence, moved gracefully around us, its scales glistening in the soft light before the rain. We sat quietly, watching this extraordinary animal go about its business. We stayed with this special and elusive animal for about half an hour, and forgot all about the lion cubs. It was an exciting afternoon for both guides and guests, a moment so rare that even years of guiding could not guarantee another like it.

The next day, I returned to the area and finally found the lion cubs. But the memory of that pangolin encounter stayed with me, and with my guests, far longer.

As I always tell those I guide, we leave the lodge each day with our own plans, however, Mother Nature has her own. When she surprises us, all we can do is to appreciate every magical moment she chooses to share. It’s in those unscripted, unexpected moments when the bush reveals its true magic.