| Matthew and I have travelled across most of | | | | The Luangwa Valley specifically is any |
| Southern Africa, but decided that it was | | | | bird-lovers paradise. According to the |
| eventually time to head further north towards | | | | tourist information they have recorded over |
| Zambia. The two of us have been on African | | | | 400 bird species in this area alone. During |
| safaris for the last two years, but for some | | | | our drive we saw quite a few Antelopes, |
| reason we have never gotten as far as Zambia. | | | | buffalos and zebras. But it was only after |
| Known as one of the last unscathed African | | | | lunch that we were granted a special scene of |
| wildernesses, Zambia is the place to | | | | survival plays. Not everybody would enjoy |
| appreciate nature. | | | | witnessing the oldest war in nature, that |
| | | | between lions and hyena. |
| Our dwelling | | | | |
| | | | Lions are by far the stronger between the two |
| During our stay in Zambia, we stayed in a | | | | groups, but hyenas have another factor |
| thatched cottage at the Luangwa Valley. | | | | counting in their favour: their numbers. This |
| Situated by the Luangwa River, we were in the | | | | was a fight for territory. It's a well known |
| perfect spot for game-viewing. Every now and | | | | fact that specifically lion males hate hyenas |
| again we witnessed a buck, elephants or a | | | | with a passion. It was quite a big pride of |
| herd of buffalos coming to the riverbanks for | | | | lions, and it seemed like this was a |
| their daily drink of water. | | | | no-contest match, but never underestimate the |
| | | | cunningness of hyenas. Using their even |
| Staying in a cottage felt like heaven after | | | | bigger numbers to intimidate, it seemed like |
| months of sleeping in a tent on a paper thin | | | | the hyenas were going to win this one. But |
| mattress. Don't get me wrong, both Matthew | | | | when a young male lion stormed forward, we |
| and I enjoy camping, but I think that after | | | | knew it was the end. |
| awhile you start to miss small luxuries such | | | | |
| as a bed. | | | | The lions were too strong and soon the hyenas |
| | | | ran off. My heart racing throughout the |
| After a nice long shower, I sat on our | | | | entire ordeal, I did not know whether I |
| veranda overlooking the valley at sunset. | | | | should watch this display of hatred and |
| With so much beauty in the world, a sunset | | | | dominance or simply look away, but the sounds |
| still is one of the most beautiful. It seemed | | | | alone were horrifying. Some would say they |
| dead quiet even though there were people | | | | were lucky to witness such a fight, I say it |
| having a good laugh in the background. All I | | | | was heartbreaking. Matthew tried to film as |
| really heard was the soothing sound of the | | | | much of it as possible, but it was difficult |
| water and birds calling softly to each other. | | | | trying to focus since it all happened so |
| I was at peace and soon joined by Matthew | | | | quickly. This was definitely very unusual |
| when he came back from the local supply shop | | | | spectacle to witness, as usually the game |
| with a bottle of wine. | | | | rangers are very careful not to take their |
| | | | tourists to the actual killing scenes, but |
| The rest of the evening we enjoyed our | | | | rather the aftermath. When we spoke to the |
| dinner, some wine, but mostly the sounds of | | | | game-ranger he told us that we really did |
| nature. Being on the road for almost two | | | | observe something rare, since most of these |
| years now, I can say that the both of us have | | | | situations only happen at night. This time |
| become more peaceful within. The topic of | | | | round, we were at the wrong place at the |
| discussion was how many, or how little, | | | | right time so to speak. |
| people enjoy nature these days. Matthew was | | | | |
| making the point that he felt people would | | | | After that we headed back to the cottage. I |
| enjoy life more if they could be surrounded | | | | think we were both a bit stunned after the |
| by nature more, go camping, safari or even | | | | episode. I've seen videos of this kind of |
| just picnicking. But life seems too rushed | | | | fight before, but never in my life would |
| these days. | | | | imagine witnessing such a thing in real life. |
| | | | |
| The land of the free | | | | Well however the fight happened, I'm sure |
| | | | that neither Matthew nor I would ever feel |
| The following day we headed out in the early | | | | the same after that. It was the incident that |
| morning hours on our first day's drive. | | | | would forever change our lives. It reminded |
| Zambia is well-known for its vast protected | | | | us that there is more to life than the hustle |
| wilderness areas. It's the sad truth that | | | | and bustle of city life. That life is |
| Africa's wildlife areas are rapidly | | | | intended to be enjoyed and that you should |
| disappearing thanks to economic growth and | | | | experience every thrill wholeheartedly. |
| with it Africa's wildlife, but countries like | | | | Zambia proved to be one of the most thrilling |
| Zambia have been committed to saving Africa's | | | | African safaris we've ever experienced, and |
| wildlife and their land. | | | | yes, we will go back! |
| | | | |