Since March I have been relishing the thought of getting back to the bush. During the course of the last few months I would often ponder as to what the animals, with which I had become so familiar, have been getting up to since I last saw them. Thankfully, Londolozi opened its doors to guests this month and I was able to discover firsthand what some of the animals had busied themselves with during ‘lockdown’.
On one particular morning we had found a portion of the Ntsevu pride lying up in an open clearing. As we sat with the sleeping lions we heard a soft call of a lioness. The call was not a roar, but rather a gentle call – the kind of call that a lioness might use to make contact with her cub. Immediately we decided that we should go and investigate a little further. As we rounded the corner where the gentle call originated, we were greeted by the most amazing sight; trotting hastily behind its mother was the Ntsevu pride’s youngest cub. This little cub is so young that it still has its spots clearly displayed on its face and we estimate that the youngster is less than 8 weeks old. As luck would have it, both the mother and cub were very relaxed and we were treated to an intimate sighting of the two playing in the dew covered grass.
Introducing the newest member of the mighty Ntsevu pride.
Mother and cub steal a moment together. The mother has only recently introduced the cub to the rest of the pride and the pair still spend a lot of time away from the pride.
The little cub was in a playful mood on this remarkable morning. Play is an important teacher and lion cubs develop physically and mentally by playing with their parents and siblings.
More playfulness… This time a cheeky attempt from the cub to give its mother a tiny paw to the face.
All forgiven. The mother takes a moment to groom her cub. By grooming the cub, the lioness ensures that it stays relatively clean as well as strengthens the bond between her and her little one.
The cub reciprocates its mother’s affection by offering a gentle face rub.
The cub paused to give us one last look before disappearing into the Sand River behind its mother.
After about twenty minutes, both mother and cub got up and descended the tree-lined bank of the Sand River and vanished from sight. As we reflected on this special sighting, it occurred to me that the fact that this cub even exists is proof that the pairing of the Birmingham males and the Ntsevu females has indeed been a successful one. With the Birmingham and Ntsevu’s first set of cubs approaching three years of age, the females are now ready to have new litters of cubs. Hopefully the partnership between these lions lasts long into the future so that this little cub will be joined by many more and continue to grow the Ntsevu dynasty.
Beautiful pictures. So cute when they are young.
Lovely to see a new cub. Is this the only cub that survived? Wete there more?
Nick, I loved all the photos, especially cub🤗 I saved all the photos
What a great sighting! I would have used a whole camera card had I been there, just on this sighting! Loved the photos!
Great job on your return, Nick! Incredible photos, capturing the bonding of the two.
Love these pictures! Love between Mother and Child.
What a special moment! Can’t wait till we can return hopefully next spring!
Spectacular photos of the newest edition to the Ntsevu Pride Nick ! What a wonderful welcome back for you 💕🙏🏻
Gorgeous – lucky, lucky you! Isn’t it unusual though for them to have just 1 cub?
Nick, those pictures are so cute! That made my day! The Ntsevu pride is certainly continuing to do well.
Tiny mini lions are SO precious!
Hi Nick. Welcome back! Thanks for these LOVELY pics some of which I will turn into Screensavers! Cute little spotty bundle of joy! Really enjoyed this, Nick. Thank you! Wendy M
Oh bless
Adorable! A very special sighting indeed, and hopefully bodes well for more to come!
Love the pics – a very special sighting!
How lucky are you! Amazing photos ❤️
Thank you for sharing…
What beautiful, adorable photos!
Nick, is this cub’s mother the female who was thought to be infertile? So does it’s introduction make four new cubs total for the Pride? Thanks so much!
Hi Michael, we are not sure if it was the female who was thought to be infertile. A few of the females have been seen mating with the Birmingham males recently. Yes, so at the moment we are viewing four cubs, with three of them being slightly older and from a different female.
One of the most beautiful and uplifting tale and pictures I’ve ever seen! The cub with its mum conveys a feeling of tenderness and love… they look as if they were smiling. A very happy update for the pride! Thank you!
Awww, you’ve really captured the bond between a lioness and cub. I’m thrilled to learn you’ve guests again with whom to share your wonderful reserve and am squeezing my fingers tightly so that I’ll be able to join all of you next April!!
Extraordinary photos clearly showing the affection and bond between mother and cub. Thoroughly enjoyed pondering each still shot and it absolutely brightened my day. Thank you!
Such sweet, lovely pictures of mother and cub, Nick! Just wonderful. Thanks!
What a lovely sighting and photos are very good. Thanks for sharing, they are better on a 65 inch tv.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much love shared between a new cub and it’s mama! The pictures of the new tyka-doo are just PRECIOUS! – God willing, the tyka-doo is kept safe and protected, to have a long life with it’s pride.
Award winning photography. Great job.
Such sweet images. It’s hard to believe such a cute little fur ball will one day (hopefully) grow to a massive killing machine. It’ll be interesting to watch the pride dynamics over the coming year. Was this the lioness that was believed to be infertile?
Beautiful photos and a special moment
Nick, thanks for the great update on the Ntsevu mother and her cub. Such awesome images! We look forward to hearing more about them!
The new little Tyka-Doo is Just Pwecious!! Amidst the color being crisp, the expressions you captured are filled with endearing love! You wish you could sit and be with them to enjoy their feline fun and energy.
Kudos Nick!