The Jack and Jill Hiking Club went to Moreson Ranch in Vrede on the weekend of February 21 to 23.
The hikers arrived on Friday afternoon, and the socialising started while setting up camp.
The campers enjoyed either a savoury or sweet vetkoek for supper.
Early on Saturday morning, the hikers set out to follow the 4×4 track to the lion enclosure, on an 8,5 kilometre circular walk.
The mist was dense, which made game viewing nearly impossible.
As the day drew to a clear, the group watched a number of herds of red hartebeest and blue wildebeest.
The hikers also had a close-up experience at the lion camps.
The lions, plus white lions and tigers, were enclosed in groups according to age, and were all reported to be in extremely good condition.
Later in the day, a few of the hikers went to see the lion cubs being fed and were granted the opportunity to bottle-feed them.
One of the hikers was reminded that lion cubs are still wild animals, as they nipped legs in their haste to obtain their share of the milk.
The day was concluded with a lovely braai.
Hikers woke up to some serious roars on Sunday morning, with some finding the sound a little too close for comfort.
Given it was overcast and windy, the hikers packed up camp and proceeded to the Lion’s Den restaurant for brunch.
Club members said the hike was a great way to start off the new hiking year and looked forward to the challenges ahead.

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