We entered to park through the main gate. At around 06h10, the shape of a large male lion was clearly shown in the headlights as he lay on an island in the middle of the road. After a few minutes, he turned and got up. It was a lion that we have known for a number of years – known to many people as Mohawk – one of the dominant lions in the park.
Mohawk then walked down the middle of the tar road, stopping every few minutes to mark his territory. And he also drank fresh rain water next to the road. Mohawk walked down the road at his own pace, as a number of cars began to approach from behind us. However, Mohawk did not appear to be concerned about all the cars behind him and he continued to walk at a leisurely pace as he enjoyed the freshness of the morning.
Eventually I decided to drive down the dirt track parallel to the main tar road – that leads to the ivory burn site, while Mohawk and his ever increasing 'fan club' continued down the main tar road. Parking at the junction, I was able to get a good view, and take a few photos of the ‘Mohawk walk' as the entire convoy following him drove past us.
Mohawk chose to turn right at the T junction and stay on the tar road. And he spent a few minutes rolling in buffalo dung and smelling it. He seemed to like the idea of smearing himself with 'leo deo' – maybe it is part of his clever hunting tactics to make him smell like a buffalo?
At about 07h30 after about a hour and 20 minutes, the 'Mohawk Walk' finally ended for his 'fan club' as he turned right and disappeared into the forest on the road that leads to the Kingfisher picnic site.
Wow! What a start to our day – thanks to Mohawk!!!
The park is open daily from 06h00 to 19h00.
For more information on the park you can link to the following websites www.kws.org or www.nairobigreenline.org or on Facebook.
