Back in September 2o21, ranger Patrick Grealy wrote about what was next for a young coalition that had been moving through Londolozi at the time. Fast forward a few years and this coalition has become one of the most dominant and impressive coalitions of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. As the lion dynamics in the region are ever-changing and male lions are always seeking to increase their territory it got me questioning whether this impressive coalition would look to take over the Nkuhuma Pride.
The two Plains Camp Males from back in 2021 when they first moved onto Londolozi’s property. Their manes have grown considerably since then.
The Current Territory of the Plains Camp Males
The current territory that this coalition of two has been holding is predominantly in the western parts of Londolozi and extends even further into the western sector of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Within this territory falls three prides that they are dominant over that they have sired cubs with; the Mhangeni Pride, Ximungwe Pride and Tsalala Female. With all three of these prides currently raising their cubs and with not too much, if any pressure, being put on their territory it is only natural that such a dominant coalition would look to extend their current territory and seek out other prides of lions.
Benefits of holding a large territory
Male lions will choose their territory based on the availability of prey as well as the presence of prides of females. They want to survive and procreate which will allow them to pass on their genes to the next generation. The larger their territory the more prides of lions they will encompass which means more opportunity to raise cubs with multiple prides and lionesses. This does however come at a bit of a cost. The cost is that they have a much bigger area to patrol. But with the Plains Camp Males being such a force to be reckoned with it seems only natural that they expand their territory.
The Nkuhuma Pride
The Nkuhuma Pride are seen in the northern stretches of Londolozi. The pride consists of four adult females, three sub-adult females and one sub-adult male. The sub-adults were all sired by the Northern Avoca Male who has subsequently been spending time with three of his other sons born into the Nkuhuma Pride in 2019 and have since left their mothers. Although the Northern Avoca Male was the dominant male of the Nkuhuma Pride for several years, together with his late brother, he no longer has been seen with the pride as frequently nor seen mating with any of the females from the Nkuhuma Pride.
![Nkuhuma Pride Walking (9) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/14134049/Nkuhuma-Pride-Walking-9-RCB-1598x921.jpg)
The Nkuhuma Pride walking along the road in the early hours of the morning
Plains Camp Males Making Inroads
On several occasions over the last few months, we have seen the Plains Camp Males further and further east of where we traditionally see them. They tend to stick to the area north of the Sand River which is the same territory occupied by the Nkuhuma Pride. With the Northern Avoca Male ageing and the two Black Dam Males having seemingly upped and left the northern stretches of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, it has left the Nkuhuma Pride with no dominant coalition. With reports from our neighbours north of us having seen the Plains Camp Males more and more frequently as well as seeing them with some of the Nkuhuma lionesses, it seems that perhaps the takeover has already commenced.
The two Plains Camp males moved through the northern stretches of Londolozi early one morning.
Only time will tell to see if this move to expand their territory will be a fortuitous one or whether it may leave them exposed on other sides of their territory. Either way, they are always an incredible coalition to come across while here at Londolozi.
Very interesting report on the perceived expansion of the Plains Camp males into additional territory. Given the location of the Nkuhuma pride, it seems the other three prides due west of Londolozi, would be more vulnerable to young nomadic males who could move in and kill the cubs whilst the Plains Camp are seeking additional territory with a pride. Actually, the Skorro male had been seen in the area and does anyone know what happened to him? There was a young Talamati lion around last year as I recall and rumor has it he’s been seen on a kill with the young Nkuhuma. Seems the only constant is change.
Wow. These boys get around. I first saw the Plains Camp Males in April 2023 at Dulini, then again with their cubs at the den of the Ximungwe pride in October 23. Earlier this year, again at Dulini, the males were no longer there but had been sighted north of Londolozi. I will be visiting Londolozi for the first time in September and it would be amazing if I saw these boys there again!
Siring cubs with so many prides already makes them a success in my book. I hope that if they do expand, the cubs they’ve already sired will not be killed by other roaming males. Have there been any sightings of the Tsalala female with her cubs yet?
Hi, I think some of you said they actually are the biggest lions on the reserve… if combined with a high testosterone level, this could be a winning factor in their rise and success. The Ndzenga males have sired their cubs and are some of them independent? If so, a time of change may flow according to the rythm of nature… even if I must admit I’m always dismayed and saddened when females, their cubs and dominant males are so brutally attacked. Hopefully the Nkuhuma pride will accept them without losing too much… I’m so curious about the Tsalala female!
Thanks for the update Barry, only time will tell how the Plains Camp males will flourish and how large a territory they can command. Please keep posting the wonderful pictures.
Since they were first seen at Londolozi, these two lions have indeed become quite impressive big males. Nice that they have a good territory with several prides. Were the Tsalala lioness’ cubs also fathered by them? And have you ever seen those cubs? I am looking forward to meeting all these lions soon.
Thanks for the update, Barry. I’ve also been wondering about the Skorro male, haven’t seen anything about him on the blog for ages. I was lucky enough to see him when I came in November – hopefully he’s not in the same area as the Ndzhenga males?
Hi Barry, it seems as if the Two Plains Camp Males are seeking more territory and they would surely would want to take over the Nkuhuma pride with the females and thirteen cubs. What has happened to the huge Skorro male.
The PCM also have 2 subadults offspring living in their territory, the 2,5yo Nkuhuma Breakaways, a male and a female. They also were seen interacting with the Othawa Pride in the West ( two 3 years and 3 months old females ), they didn’t kill the Othawas so perhaps they’ll eventually mate with them once they go into estrus.
I don’t know if they can take over the Nkuhuma Pride without abandoning their other prides, at least to the larger public, we’ve not seen the PCM with the Mangheni Pride in a long long time, despite they being their largest pride with 10 cubs.