While traveling with Malcolm in the Kruger Park a number
of years ago, we decided to view it from an elevated position and hired
a Kombi, a small type bus seating approximately 10 people. After traveling
only on the roads permissible in the park, Malcolm became bored until
we found a road that was closed with a NO ENTRY sign, as well as a chain
across it.
We forced the chain off the poles and drove through anyway,
in typical Malcolm style.
It was a sand road, strictly out of bounds to the public,
and probably even to game rangers. We were in the middle of no-where
with the closest civilization about 30 kilometers away, through real
lion territory.
The sand road quickly turned into a dirt path and about
5 kilometers down the path to our utter delight, if not shock, we spotted
a malnourished young leopard just walking along.
The leopard continued on the path and was not disturbed
by us for at least 8 kilometers. When the leopard left the path to turn
into the bush, we were almost 20 kilometers into the bush ourselves.
By now it was late afternoon and we had to get back, so
we had to turn our Kombi into a 4x4. Malcolm, and others who know me,
are aware that I have an inherent fear of lions. Adding to my fear we
got stuck in a deep rut.
We could not move forward or backward and after surveying
the thick Savanna bush for lions; we put the Kombi floor mats, and the
boot (trunk) mat on the ground to provide traction for the vehicle.
We finally got out, and came back to the camp an hour late. We were
severely reprimanded and nearly thrown out of the park.
Needless to say it was Malcolmıs mischievous nature and
sense of adventure that allowed us to see a leopard so close up, and
being chastised for coming an hour late back to the camp was well worth
it.
On days like this, I feel sad and miss Malcolm, yet I
am glad and happy that I experienced such fun times with my buddy, Glucky.
Lots of love
Gary