I never thought that an inanimate object like a dead tree could become a source of such delight, but the 9 cubs of the Mhangeni Pride were to prove me wrong a few days ago.
They were found in the morning by ranger Richard Ferrier lying at Ximpalapala Pan, about 100m from where we had stopped for drinks the night before (when we had been looking for them without much success), so in the afternoon we headed back to the koppie to see if they were still around. Fortunately for us it was a cloudy day and the pride was still lying out in the open, not in the shade as they probably would have been if the sun was out. A couple of the adult females were showing interest in something up on the slopes of the rocky outcrop, but soon gave up the hunt and returned to their cubs.
The stars all aligned that afternoon, with the weather, the setting and the energy levels of the cubs all playing into our hands. We sat there, the only vehicle around, for a good 2 hours as the cubs played, gambolled, frolicked, or whatever word you want to use, simply revelling in the sheer delight of being alive.
A fallen Knobthorn tree was their stage, we were the audience. The scene was set for a wonderful afternoon in the bush.
Enjoy this footage of what is still most definitely Londolozi’s favourite pride:
Written and Filmed by James Tyrrell
Outstanding. Healthy, well-fed cub on a cool day–priceless.
Amazing footage and such fun to watch! Thanks so much for sharing!
OMW!!!! LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are getting so big! Thank you for this wonderful footage, sure makes me long to come back.
Amazing
Oh that was sooooo much fun to watch! thanks so much!
Great video JT, wonderful to see these cubs growing up and playing. They look full of life!
Wonderful video Jamo, really smile making, what brilliant viewing for your guests.
Oh my Gosh, this is sooooo cute. You can’t help smiling all the way through it. Great Blog, and great video. Adorable. The cubs were playing on a dead tree like this in “Kita the Lion Cub” too, a children’s book I wrote. I can’t say so adorable enough. Such lively, healthy little cubs.
Thank you, so beautiful!
I’m just putting together my dvd on these adorable cubs from our trip in September – boy have they grown! Glad to see they are doing so well, they were such a joy to watch.
Fantastic video! We were just there a month ago and I can’t believe how much bigger they’ve gotten since then! Loved seeing how they are doing!
This is nothing but smiles from beginning to end! Beautiful healthy cubs
A log as the ‘jungle gym!’ Great fun to watch!
We saw these cubs last Wednesday 23 Oct and it was the best experience! Absolutely loved it, but here I am back in London 🙁
This is just precious. Thanks for sharing.
lovely well written story!!Lovely video and nice photo.Keep on with the good work
Such an incredible sighting and love the video James, great work!
LOVE!