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Lions of Sabi Sands as of January 2025

 Lions of Sabi Sands as of January 2025

In the north, the Nkuhuma pride remains dominant male-less, but the Mantimahle males seem to be the main contenders after the Kambula males slipped away. Former king of the north, Mohawk is with his two sons in Kruger and they control the Mamtimahle breakaway pride, although sitings have been few and far between, (as usual in Kruger) a recent sighting showed the Ridgenose’s son Nkuhuma male (one of Mohawk’s sons) with the Mantimahle breakaway pride and although not shown, it was stated that Mohawk was also present in the sighting. More exciting news is that one of the Mantimahle breakaway females gave birth to 2 cubs (Mohawk’s “grandcubs”).

In central Sabi Sands, the Ndzhenga males are thriving, despite being more or less  10 years old, they still seem in peak physical condition and their status unchallenged. Things for the Ndzhenga males’ prides are also looking up, the Kambula pride is still thriving and the Ntsevu Pride, who suffered from mange, is recover well, and after the unfortunate loss of a couple of cubs, they are finally looking back to normal.

The Plains Camp males continue to solidify their legacy in the west with one of the Othawa lionesses supposedly giving birth and the Ximungwe lioness has also been confimed to have cubs. Four Monwana young males were seen spending time in the west, but they don’t pose a real threat to the Plains Camp males and were recently chased of a kill by the Talamati, Nkuhuma male coalition and one of the young Monwana’s was seen slightly injured too. The lone Tumbela male is injured on his side and his barely clinging on by scavenging and keeping a low profile. The Kruger and Southern Avoca coalition is holiding strong despite the Southern Avoca seen with injuries, at least he is recovering well and he and his partner are in good condition.

The Styx male has calmed down from his ventures in his fathers’ territory and is keeping a lower profile.

The Gijima males are really solidifying themselves as the most successful coalition of male lions in the Sabi Sands currently and they continue to prove it by recently beating up the Short-tailed Nkuhlu male, who luckily has regrouped and is doing well with his brothers and the Sand River pride. The Gijimas currently have only lost a very small amount of cubs and it was factor they couldn’t control, let’s hope that the Gijimas will continue their impressive reign for the years to come.

Winners and losers:

Winners: Othawa pride, Plains Camp males, Gijima males, Mohawk and his sons, Ntsevu pride and Ndzhenga males.

Losers: Nkuhlu males, Tumbela male, Kambula males and the Monwana males

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