Lions of Sabi Sand as of November 2024

Lions of Sabi Sands as of November 2024:

Northern Sabi Sands has become a circus of lion activity. The Kambula males are all over the North and have been seen mating with lionesses from the Nkuhuma and Imbali prides, unfortunately K4 of the coalition has suffered some injury, but is recovering. Another competing coalition of the North is undoubtedly the Mantimahle coalition, they are most likely the reason for K4’s injuries and have also been seen mating with Nkuhuma females. Speaking of the Nkuhumas they recently attacked and killed an Imali lioness, showing extreme aggression. The Black Dam male and Nkuhuma male of 2021 have both been seen either with the Nkuhmas or together, but the 2021 Nkuhuma male was recently seen alone, let’s hope that he finds his pride or partner in the near future.                                 

After losing their Nkuhuma cub(s) the Plains Camp males have started spending more time with their prides in the west, leaving the Tumbela male, who usually finds refuge with the Mangheni pride, to fend for himself, this is no easy task considering his injuries, but at least he is keeping himself alive. The Tsalala lioness has unfortunately lost all three of her cubs, the culprits most likely being the Southern Avoca and Kruger male coalition or the Kambula pride, but we can’t say for sure who did it. The Mhangeni pride and Ximungwe pride recently had a clash, which ended up to be disastrous for the Mhangenis, they 

lost at least one cub and another cub is injured, we can only hope the prides in the West stay away from each other, avoiding future conflict. The Southern Avoca and Kruger male are both doing well and spend their time moving from Northern to Western Sabi Sands, let’s hope they stay safe and avoid conflict.

The Ndzhenga males still firmly control Central Sabi Sands and their rule remains unchallenged, despite this their Ntsevu pride has suffered a huge loss, four of the pride’s seven cubs have sadly died from mange, but luckily the lionesses and the remianing three cubs are recovering and doing better. The Kambula pride, however are holding very strong, and their cubs are thriving. Let’s hope that the Ndzhenga males keep their grip on their territory and their prides manage to raise all their cubs to adulthood.

In the South, the Gijima males were seen further expanding their territory into Kruger, and are probably the two most impressive lions in the entire Sabi Sands, let’s hope they remain strong and are able to protect their Styx, Southern and Msuthlu prides, who are all raising cubs. The Nkuhlu males have been seen with the Sand River pride and in Mala Mala, they seem to be growing more confident and might soon be looking into new prides and territory.

The Nkuhuma male of 2016 and the Talamati male coalition have been seen all over Sabi Sands and are keeping themselves in great condition.

Mohawk Avoca and his two sons are now spending time just south of Sabi Sands and recently Chela’s boy Nkuhuma was seen exploring new territory, before being chased off by the Imbali males, a while later he was seen back with Mohawk and his brother with minor injuries, Ridge Nose’s boy Nkuhuma, along with Mohawk Avoca have both been seen mating with the Mantimahle pride females and are both looking very impressive and are in peak condition.

                                                Thank You!