September 7, 2019 11:05 a.m.
Location: Antelope park, Gweru, Zimbabwe
Weather: Rain Temp: 11C
Notes:
Our lion experience. We went out in a safari truck to watch this trio of lion cubs practice hunting. They are released in a 3000 acre compound that has populations of wildebeasts, zebras, impalas, giraffes and other antelope. The day started off at 11C with a light rain falling. The cool weather meant that the lions were very active and at one point took off to chase a herd of wildebeast. There are handlers who have whistle signals that the lions respond to but even they lost track of them for a while. But, when we began to make our way back to the lodge, the handlers had found the lions and they obediently followed us back.
Up until August 31st tourists could walk with the lions, but once the lions reach 2 years old, they have become too mature to trust with the tourists and we had to stay in the truck.
This is a program to breed lions to release into the wild. The original parents were captive lions. The lions we interact with are the second generation. They will be realeased to a semi-wild area where they will have offspring that will not interact with humans. These are the ones who will be released into the wilds.
Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-19.5063230,29.7167171,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
September 7, 2019, 12:29 p.m.
Title: Feeding Lions
Notes:
Just after noon we went out to watch a trio of lions being fed. It is quite the sight. These are captive males who can never be released to the wild because they are too used to humans and would become nuisance animals.
Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-19.5061731,29.7168460,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
September 7, 2019, 2:56 p.m.
Title: Keeping warm
Weather: Overcast, cool Temp: 13C
Notes:
The only warm place at this lodge was the fire pit. 
We sat around it most of the afternoon. I had a delicious hot chocolate, 
then went back to my cabin to soak in a hot bath.
Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-19.5061731,29.7168460,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
September 7, 2019, 4:03 p.m.
Title: Visa workshop
Location: Reception
Notes: Bill helped several of our group do their Visa applications for Egypt and Kenya which took up most of the afternoon. While they were at it a family of monkeys dropped by and entertained me. One jumped up onto Mike’s bike and tried to take a baobab pod that he had strapped onto his pannier.
Segment 4 located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-19.5061731,29.7168460,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
Segment 5
September 8, 2019, 7:09 a.m.
Title:
Eats- dinner
Notes:
Every meal was buffet style so because I had had a substantial meal for lunch I only ate soup and salad. Bill had the full buffet.
Segment 5 located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-19.5061731,29.7168460,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
Meals, drinks & activities
Cost: $298.
Shared via Flexible Journal
