The last thing one thinks of when heading to the toilet is checking for a pride of lions.
However, Business Developer and Sales Manager, Corlette Wessels, and her family learned that there are times when checking for lions when preparing to use the toilet becomes as important as checking for toilet paper.
Watch The Sighting:
In this encounter, the pride reclined lazily across the sand outside the toilet facility.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
While they appeared as though they had no intention of getting up, no one at the picnic site was taking chances.
Those needing the toilet would have to wait for the next stop!
Picnic Site Presents Some Unexpected Surprises!
Corlette explained how they came to be at the picnic site, “It was a relatively quiet morning and we decided to go to Melkvlei picnic spot, Kgalagadi, for coffee.”
They fortunately knew from experience that the lions enjoyed this particular picnic spot
“Since we have 2 children, we are always extra careful in these areas,” Corlette said.
They decided to remain cautious, as an unexpected threat was waiting for them at the familiar picnic spot.
She said that as they drove up to the site, they spotted a male and female lion on the right-hand side of the picnic area. “This got us thinking… where were the rest of the pride?”
They soon had the answer.
Tail Alerts Mother And Daughter To Lions’ Presence
Corllette’s daughter, 8, begged to go to the bathroom. Fortunately for them, as they approached the toilet facility, they noticed a tell-tale sign that they weren’t alone.
There was a tail sticking out from under the toilet’s wooden structure!
Corlette knew straight away that it was a lion. They quickly bailed into the car and said Corlette, “We immediately knew, no toilet or coffee for us today.”
While driving away, they noticed the entire pride sleeping behind the toilets in the shade.
They warned other people who pulled into the site not to go to the bathroom or exit their vehicles, as there were lions behind the toilets.
She said there had been a couple heading for the toilets whom she had quickly warned about the lions. A good thing, since it’s always best to let sleeping dogs, and lions, lie…
A Reminder To Remain Alert By Reserve Toilets
Corlette has seen the pride at the picnic site several times over the years, as it has great shade and is very close to a waterhole.
“It’s always a highlight for me to arrive at this spot and see the lions there having claimed the area for the day,” she said.
She told those who need to take a leak on a game drive: “Always check behind the toilets before leaving your car.”
These aren’t the first unexpected visitors Corlette has seen by the game reserve toilets. She once found a Cape cobra inside the bathroom!
That day, Corlette and her family learned to expect the unexpected in the game reserve. These surprises are good as long as you stay alert, and if necessary, in the car.