Twenty minutes earlier, they had received an update on the radio that two lionesses were heading east, parallel to the river. By now, they could be almost anywhere. But, taking into account the terrain and the time since they were last seen, Koki made an educated guess. With no tracks crossing the main access road, they were likely still in the thick, rocky block between him and the river. He drove ahead a short while before turning into a side road, hoping to intercept them.
With the dense vegetation reducing visibility to just a few metres, their ears were now their greatest tool. So here they were, waiting and listening. Minutes passed with nothing but the distant grunt of a hippo and the flutter of wings as tiny blue waxbills danced through the thicket.
Then, there it was.
So quiet it was almost imperceptible – easy to mistake for a creak in the vehicle as someone shifted in their seat. But Koki knew a lion contact call when he heard it. Heart pumping, he inched forward 50 metres, vigilantly following the direction of the sound.
And then, suddenly, she appeared. A single lioness, peering through the branches to their right as she paused to study the vehicle. A collective gasp, followed by muffled whispers, filled the air as excitement and nerves jumbled together. Curiosity satisfied, the lioness dropped her gaze and continued forwards, disappearing behind a bush just metres away. Small giggles followed as the group shifted to the far side, beaming with joy, still unsure of what might come next.
One by one, more lions appeared along the same game path. Each followed the exact route of the first, moving calmly past the vehicle, disappearing briefly into the leaves before crossing the road right behind it. Heads swivelled back and forth as the learners watched, their initial nerves fading into pure fascination.
And just when it seemed to be over, the best moment of all. A tiny lion cub stepped cautiously out of the thicket. Gently encouraged by its mother, it followed the rest of the pride and made one final, endearing dash across the road. The entire vehicle, Koki included, grinned from ear to ear as mother and cub melted back into the bush, leaving behind the quiet buzz of something truly special. For these ten learners from Eco Children, it was the perfect end to two nights at Koru Camp.
For us, it was also a heart-warming reminder of why Koru Camp exists. Across our region, many organisations are doing important and meaningful education work in local communities. But one of the greatest challenges is bridging the gap between what is taught and what is truly felt. Turning knowledge into something real and lasting.
Sitting in moments like this – watching each child’s eyes light up with joy – that gap instantly falls away. The lessons and stories transform into a real, unforgettable experience. And from that experience grows something even more powerful: a genuine connection to nature, and with it, the kind of passion that drives people to care, to protect, and to act. When we work together, we CAN make a difference!
Watch the lioness sighting – and the learners’ reactions – unfold as it happened in this video on our Instagram account.
