We have been blessed with some incredible sightings of the Kambula Pride over the past two years. At times, the pride has numbered up to 18 lions, and even up to 20 when the Ndzhenga Males are with them. It’s been a while since we’ve provided an update on this pride, and so this feels like the perfect opportunity to reflect on their current dynamics and predict what lies ahead for them in the coming months.
The full complement of the Kambula pride drinking at a waterhole.
The Current Pride Dynamics
The Kambula Pride is currently composed of five adult lionesses and 12 subadults, split into 8 males and 4 females. The subadults, born over the past two years, have reached an important stage in their development. Two cubs—a male and a female — are slightly younger than the rest, but they are catching up quickly as they’re also starting to participate in the hunts with the rest of the pride.
Recently, one of the older males was badly injured during a skirmish with the Styx Male, resulting in a serious back left leg injury. Against all odds, he has managed to survive and has rejoined the pride. Tragically, this same altercation led to the death of one of the younger cubs. The Styx Male was subsequently chased off by one of the Ndzhenga Males, who is, in an interesting twist, actually his father.
What Lies Ahead for the Young Males
The eight sub-adult males are nearing the age when they will naturally be pushed to leave their natal pride. This will be a critical and perilous time for them, as navigating the life of a nomadic male lion in a territory as competitive as Londolozi is no small feat.
The young males have all started to grow their manes. In this picture the difference in size between the slightly older cubs and the much younger two is evident.
If these males manage to stay together as a coalition, they have the potential to become a formidable force. A coalition of this size is rare and could help them dominate in the region for years to come. However, their success will depend on their ability to work together and avoid conflicts with established males in the area.
Pregnant Lionesses: A Shift in Dynamics?
Two of the five adult lionesses have spent the past two months largely separate from the rest of the pride. One was visibly pregnant and recently given birth, the other we suspect is pregnant too, and they have likely isolated themselves in preparation for the arrival of their cubs.
One of the adult lionesses of the Kambula Pride in the morning light.
This raises intriguing questions about the future structure of the pride. Will these two females reintegrate into the main pride after giving birth, or could they break away to form a new pride of their own? With so many mouths to feed already, another split may be inevitable. A further consideration is whether the young males will accept these new cubs if the mothers bring them back to the pride—a potential source of tension in the pride which could add more pressure on the young males to be forced out of the pride.
The Future for the Young Females
The four young females are likely to remain with the pride, as is typical in lion social structures. These sub-adults, along with three of the current adult lionesses, could form the foundation of the next generation of the Kambula Pride.
One of the young females on a buffalo carcass.
Whether the two pregnant lionesses eventually rejoin them or establish their own pride remains to be seen. We may witness the formation of two smaller prides: one led by the current three lionesses and their daughters, and another led by the pregnant females and their new cubs.
Kambula Pride at a Crossroads
The Kambula Pride is at a fascinating crossroads. With a new generation maturing and significant changes on the horizon, this pride continues to adapt to the challenges of life in the wild. Their resilience and ability to thrive amidst shifting dynamics remain a testament to the intricate social world of lions.
![Kambula Pride Walking Through Clearing [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20111941/Kambula-Pride-Walking-Through-Clearing-RCB-1598x910.jpg)
The Kambula Pride early one morning walking in one of the clearings in the southeastern stretches of the reserve.
For those fortunate enough to witness their journey at Londolozi, the Kambula Pride offers an ongoing story of strength, survival, and change—one we are privileged to follow.
It has been so interesting to watch how the once giant Ntsevu pride has split and formed new prides, only to now have another huge pride led by the Kambula lionesses. So far, these mothers have been quite successful. I’m curious to see what happens with two breakaway lionesses.
Thanks,Barry for a fantastic update .When I read this I knew it was yours before i saw the author at the end .Look forward to seeing you later in the year !
Thanks for the update Barry, interesting times ahead! Surely the adult female that’s with the one that’s given birth must be heavily pregnant, or why else would she have separated from the pride?
Lions dynamics are never granted or foreseeable, unless to a certain point. I wonder what will do the Breakaway Female, if she stays with the Styx male, that is going against her original pride, or else… what a coalition eight male lions would be! Their fathers are doing a great work in keeping them protected. And of course, the lionesses, courage made animal. Let’s wait and see…. amazing pictures. The lioness by profile is the epitome of a queen!
Hi Barry, this is certainly going to be very interesting to see what the two lionessess and the new cubs are going to do. And then the rest will probably just carry on on their own. Lion dynamics is always intriguing and with so many mouths to feed something must give.
Thanks, Barry for this fascinating update on the Kambula pride. It’s always good to hear what the lions of Londolozi are up to or also what kind of troubles or successes lie ahead of them.
The lions dynamics of Londolozi are always interesting and exciting.
That is a very impressive pride , given it’s size would it be natural for it to fragment into two prides ?
Given the history of this pride, it will be interesting to see if there is another split. I remember when the two Ntsevu females left the pride with their Birmingham offspring in order to protect them from the Ndhzenga males. As I recall though, they returned to their sisters once their offspring reached sub adulthood, thus the 4 Ntsevu males and their sister. So this leads me to believe, the two new mothers could do the same thing, even though there is no difference in fathers, but the 8 sub adult males could attack the new cubs. Actually there are a few ways this scenario could go so we will have to be patient and see what transpires. Thanks for this update Barry – there’s certainly excitement around the new cubs and hopefully I’ll be able to see them in a few weeks …..
Has the sub adult male with the back leg injury fully recovered?
Barry, thanks for the update and the pictures. It will be very interesting to see how the eight males go forward.
What an amazing pride. I love all the lion dynamics and look forward to hearing what happens in the future.
Thank Moira
It is rather ironic how, despite the struggles of the lone Tsalala lioness, the Kambula and Ntsevu Prides are in essence, Tsalala lions themselves. The only difference is what we as humans call them, as James Tyrrell pointed out in his blog entry some years back. One wonders what would have happened had the four Mhangeni females rejoined their mothers and grandmother in the Tsalala Pride, if the conversation now would be different?
Thanks for the update, Barry. Exciting times in Londolozi. I would think the two females would start a breakaway pride. I also worry bout how the eight males will react to the cubs. I know the Rongai Pride in the Mara won’t let the male or female subs around the cubs. The lionesses have attacked the sub females several times as well as the sub males. They stay in the territory, but avoid their mothers. The subs are 2 years old with one male sub being 3 years old. It’s interesting how some prides let the sub females stay and others kick them out. Can’t wait for the next update
Thanks for the update, Barry. I look forward to hearing more about them in future and look forward to seeing them again in person.