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Someone asked why lions let the jeeps get so close. Fair question—especially if you remember the time one flopped down in the shade of our jeep like it was a poolside cabana. The short answer? They’re used to the jeeps and don’t see them as a threat.

The longer answer? To animals, a jeep isn’t a vehicle full of humans—it’s just one large, weird-smelling, non-threatening blob. As long as you stay seated and keep your limbs inside like you’re on a Disney ride, you’re basically part of the furniture.

Going back through the animal photos I saved, I noticed that lions and elephants made the final cut more than anything else. This was a bit ironic, considering we saw hundreds of elephants… and “only” six lions.

Apparently, I’m a sucker for a dramatic stare and a good mane.

Here are a few of my favorite lion photos, set to the soundtrack of an incredible a cappella group we heard in Victoria Falls. Make sure your sound’s on—you won’t want to miss it.

🦁 Cool Lion Facts

Lions can sleep up to 20 hours a day. Since most of the action happens after dark, they spend their days flat on their backs, perfecting the art of doing absolutely nothing… with style.

A lion’s roar can be heard from up to 5 miles. It’s how lions mark their territory, warn rivals, and let everyone know they’re not in the mood. 

The lionesses do all the hard work, hunting in coordinated groups while the males often hang back and supervise the grass. But come mealtime? The males stroll in and eat first. Kris said, “Kind of like home.” I’m pretty sure that was an insult.

A male lion’s mane gets darker and fuller with age. Females tend to go for the dark-maned guys (tall, dark, and dangerous ?). Bonus: the mane also works like a natural helmet during fights. Functional and fashionable.

Hakuna matata!

Just Pete

#africa #overseasadventuretravel #itsjustwalking #lions

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—and during peak flow (February to May), it becomes the widest curtain of falling water on Earth.

Victoria Falls sits on the Zambezi River, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The Scottish explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, documented the falls in 1855, becoming the first known European to lay eyes on the mighty falls.

There are eight named sections of Victoria Falls, carved by flowing water over thousands of years. Even now, Mother Nature is shaping a ninth. Geologists estimate it will be complete in about 1,500 years.

Rainbow Falls is the tallest section of Victoria Falls, plunging 354 feet. True to its name, it’s famous for the dramatic rainbows that arc through its mist.

We walked the Rainforest Trail, which winds past 16 different viewpoints. Despite the sunny skies, we were soaked to the bone—drenched by the constant mist blowing off the falls. In some spots, the spray was so thick you couldn’t see a thing from the viewpoints.

Most of the intelligent people in our group bailed somewhere between viewpoints 12 and 14, wisely retreating from the relentless soaking mist. One idiot—me—kept going all the way to the final viewpoint: the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Hope you enjoyed Victoria Falls—next stop: Cape Town!

Hakuna matata.

Just Pete

#africa #zimbabwe #victoriafalls #overseasadventuretravel #itsjustwalking

We set out on our final morning game drive with one goal in mind: wild dogs. They usually hunt at dawn and dusk, so we were hoping to catch them in action before the day heated up.

The term “wild dog” carries a negative stigma for many people. Because these unique predators are highly endangered, conservationists have begun using the name “painted dogs” instead—a nod to their striking, patchwork coats.

Although we didn’t catch the painted dogs in action, we did come across plenty of other wildlife.

Our drive shifted focus when our guides, Dima and Smarts, got word of a lion sighting nearby. We didn’t spot the cat, but its tracks led us uncomfortably close to the village of Mababe. It’s got to be a bit unsettling knowing a big predator could come knocking at your door—invited or not.

That afternoon, we returned to the painted dogs—a pack of fourteen. Unbothered by our presence, they dozed in the shade, conserving energy for the evening hunt. While most lounged in loose clusters, the alpha female was alert near the den, guarding the pups hidden below.

Then, all at once, they stirred—some silent signal had called them to the hunt.

We tried to follow them as they slipped into hunting mode, but they soon outpaced us and vanished into the bush. As the sun dipped low, our guides asked whether we wanted to keep tracking the dogs or pause for a sundowner.

While I wanted to keep after the dogs, majority ruled. I joked to Kris that maybe the pack would bring the chase to us while we watched the sunset with a beer and some snacks. Honestly, that didn’t exactly suck.

As darkness settled over the landscape, we climbed back into the jeeps to return to camp. We had parked just ten feet from the water when, out of nowhere, two impalas burst past—racing between us and the riverbank. We’d seen plenty of impalas on safari, but never this close, and never moving so fast.

As the jeep moved forward, the reason for the impalas’ frantic sprint became clear—the painted dogs had set an ambush. One impala slipped through. The other… not so lucky.

WARNING: This video contains graphic footage of a real animal attack. Viewer discretion is advised.

Watching the kill felt like something straight out of National Geographic—raw, real, and electrifying. Even those who felt for the impala couldn’t stop talking about what we’d just witnessed.

I came away with a much deeper respect for the painted dogs. I knew they were skilled hunters, but I hadn’t realized how effective they were at keeping hyenas at bay. Despite being significantly larger, the hyenas were no match for the pack, which held its ground and left them with little more than scraps.

Our 2 days and 3 nights in the Okavango Delta were unforgettable. We saw lions feeding on a Cape buffalo they’d killed right in our camp, witnessed a mating lion pair deep in the bush, and watched a pack of painted dogs take down an impala—leaving nothing behind for the vultures. It was an incredible way to end an already remarkable safari.

While our days in the bush may be over, we’re not heading home quite yet. A trip to Victoria Falls and 4 nights in Cape Town, South Africa await.

Hakuna matata!

Just Pete

#safari #africa #botswana #okavangodelta #mogothosafarilodge #overseasadventuretravel #itsjustwalking #painteddogs #wilddogs #hyena #impalakill

After watching the lions’ all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday evening, we retreated to our tent for the night. And yes, it was an actual tent—not some glamping fantasy like we’d been in before. We’re talking canvas walls, canvas floor, and a zippered door that probably wouldn’t stop a determined squirrel, let alone a lion. It sat on a wooden platform, which felt reassuringly solid—until you remembered lions can jump. Thankfully, there was a bathroom attached at the back. Lions in the camp and peeing in the bush didn’t seem like a smart combo.

As darkness fell, the night erupted in a cacophony of sounds. Hyenas whooped and cackled, circling for a chance at the Cape buffalo carcass. Lions roared and bellowed their warning, staking their claim and keeping the scavengers at bay. Even the hippos grunted from the riverbank, adding their voices to the wild chorus.

After breakfast Monday morning, we set off on our early game drive—though “drive” might be a stretch. We barely rolled out of the parking area before the action began. The carcass, after all, was sprawled just 50 yards from the main lodge

After 30 hours of feasting on their kill, the lions were finally getting close to licking the plate clean.

As we left camp, a pair of dejected hyenas slunk off in the same direction. Their midnight heist had failed, and it was time to cut their losses and sniff out the next opportunity.

Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for spotting big cats—and that’s exactly what our guide, Dima, had in his sights. We crossed the aptly named OMG (“Oh My God”) bridge and picked up the trail of a large male.

After two hours of scanning the bush for the elusive lion, we hadn’t seen so much as a twitching tail. So we pulled over by the riverbank for a well-earned mid-morning break—complete with coffee, tea, snacks, and hippos.

I’d only met Dima 24 hours earlier, but it already felt like we’d known each other for much longer. In our first conversation, he told me they always saved the best guide for last—meaning him, of course. I loved his confidence. He could laugh at himself just as easily, and his laugh was the kind that made everyone else join in.

I could sense Dima’s frustration as he quietly discussed plans with our other guide, Smarts. Reports had come in about a mating pair of lions spotted in another area, so the group agreed to take it easy for the rest of the morning—and go all in on finding that pair during our afternoon drive.

The afternoon drive started no better than the morning. Three jeeps fanned out, scanning the area for any sign of the earlier lion sighting. Still no luck. Dima’s frustration was easy to read—he knew the lions were close.

Then, he spotted a mane low in the grass on the far side of the water. Without hesitation, we bounced across the bush in that direction—an area we’d already visited a couple of times that afternoon.

Jackpot!

WARNING: This video contains graphic, albeit brief, sexual content.

Talk about ending the day with a bang.

We have one more day on safari. Nothing could possibly top that… right? But what if I told you the final day was even better? I wouldn’t have believed it either—except I was there.

Hakuna matata!

Just Pete

#safari #africa #botswana #okavangodelta #mogothosafarilodge #overseasadventuretravel #itsjustwalking #lion