Tswalu

Danie stopped the 4X4 in front of the gate. I offered to go and open it. He said, “Are you sure?” I said, “Of course, no problem, “and started to get out of the pickup. He told me to wait. He carefully surveyed the area around us. It was a small plain of thorny Acacia and Kalahari grass, nestled in the hills of the Northern Cape. I felt a twinge of concern, but it was too late to back down. He said, “OK, go quickly.” I opened the door and thought about leaving it open for easy access, but then closed it to clear the gate. I made a jerky transit from the vehicle to the gate. A combination of my “be cool” walk and a panicky sprint caused the jerkiness. Something in the sand caught my eye. No time to take a closer look. Slide the gate open, wave the car through and slide it closed again. Through the bars I took a closer look at the huge impressions in the soft sand. Back in the pickup I asked Danie about them. “Lions,” He said.