The Ntsevu pride are by far the most impressive that we see on Londolozi.
Currently 21-strong (6 lionesses and 15 cubs), and usually moving with one or more Birmingham males in tow, a 24-lion sighting is not out of the question.
They recently killed a sub-adult giraffe on an open crest near camp, and ranger John Mohaud took the following series of pictures as the lions headed down towards the Sand River to drink:
Standard formation for a big pride on the move is the cubs clustered in the middle or at the back, with one or more big males trailing slowly at a distance. The Birmingham males can just been seen in front of and to the right (in picture) of the vehicle in the distance.
Ranger Dean de la Rey and his guests had just enjoyed the incredible experience of having a massive male lion walk right past their vehicle. This Birmingham male is the one most often found with the pride, and he is also the one most often seen coming west to meet up with the Tsalala lioness.
It will invariably be a couple of the bigger females up front. As active as the cubs might be to get going, it will always be the adult lions that get the pride on the move.
It is truly something to behold, having so many lions on the move at once. A couple of the females have been seen limping quite badly though, so we are hoping this isn’t a sign of troubled times ahead…
Finally at the river, the pride lines up at the main channel to drink.
The pride eventually ended up lying on huge boulders in the middle of the Sand River, where with full bellies they remained until well into the evening:
These big boulders remain cool during the hot afternoons, and provide a comfortable and safe resting spot for lions.
The cubs continue to grow and we should soon be seeing the youngest litter of four being properly introduced to the pride. With so many mouths to feed, bigger and bigger meals are going to become necessary, so the next giraffe kill we find the Ntsevu pride on may very well be an adult.
Good stuff James
Wow! So many cubs The Birminghams have been really busy.
What a magnificent Pride and having a Birmingham male casually walk past the rover would be unforgetable! I was actually thinking that it must take numerous killings to feed a group of this size. Perhaps a hunt where several of the females were hurt. Wouldn’t the Pride allow them time to heal or must they, regardless of health, always participate in the hunt?
Is the Ntsevu pride the biggest ever recorded at Londolozi? If all the cubs survive, dependimg on the young males leaving the pride, can it now be called a super pride?
My goodness, what a fabulous sighting! I did see most of the pride when I came 3 weeks ago, but they were lying up. Are the 4 youngest cubs still across the eastern border?
James, I loved the photo of lions drinking by John Mohaud
It blows my mind that lions could (and would) take down an adult giraffe.
Amazing sighting James! Were all three Birminghams with the pride or just the two who aren’t injured? Also, have you guys been able to determine the sex ratio of the Ntsevu cubs (barring the youngest four)? Can’t believe how fast they are growing !
Lovely photos and a wonderful change from sleeping lions …
hi James, any update about nsuku please?
So very impressive as a group. Jealous of your photo op.
What impressive sightings you have had of this magnificent pride. It’s heartening to know the Birmingham males have been staying close to their progeny, although I suspect that because the females have so many mouths to feed, the males tag along for their own sustenance ….. I hope I’m wrong and that they are assisting with the larger kills.
There is nothing quite as chilling as having a lion walk past the vehicle and look up directly into your eyes!
It’s so awesome to see such a huge pride! We saw the Birmingham male with them in July and he was injured. Is that male better now?
it’s feels sooo good to see this pride becoming strong again. after they lost their two dominant males (one by shot gun and the second was just too skittish to reign the pride by himself),it is so great to watch the lionesses to have overcome the difficulties…