Over the last little while, the newest members of the Kambula Pride have certainly been making a name for themselves. Their inquisitive nature, accompanied by their cuteness, has seen them quickly become a fan favourite around Londolozi.
Two of the newest members.
Having crossed over our eastern boundary the evening before, we knew that it was a long shot trying to find them the following morning, but it was the last drive with our guests before they left, and we thought we might as well give it a go. Knowing that they had recently started going to carcasses with their mother, we hoped that they would have finished a carcass and that we would find them back at the place where their mother was temporarily keeping them. When we left camp that morning, we didn’t have many expectations and certainly didn’t think we would be blessed with what was about to happen next.
The view we had when we came around the corner. The sunrise behind her was incredible.
As we got into the area where the mother and cubs crossed the night before, we heard one of the most exciting things to hear in the bush, alarm calls of impala. Following up on their alarms, we were greeted with the sight of the mother lioness with a very full belly. She was heading in the direction of the drainage line where she had been keeping the cubs. Our excitement was overflowing!
This is what followed her out of the tickets, far too cute.
While looping around to get a better view of the lioness, she began contact calling, and out of the thickets next to her, the four cubs popped out! The scene was truly magical, as the sun was rising, these four tiny cubs were running through the clearings towards their much larger mother. Time stood still for a couple of moments as we watched them join up. Although they were slightly nervous, they followed their mom step by step back towards the safety of the drainage line where they were previously kept. With every step they took closer towards the drainage, you could see their excitement escalate.
They all met up again for a quick break before heading toward the drainage line.
When reaching the drainage, they all seemed to relax and go about their morning as though there wasn’t a worry in the world. Although I had seen them before this day, it was nothing like this. The playful nature while in the drainage line kept us entertained for over an hour. The mother’s relaxed nature has definitely rubbed off on them.
In the drainage line, they began to be completely relaxed.
These cubs are growing extremely fast, and being able to witness it is incredible. Although it is still early days, the Kambula Lioness is doing a fantastic job raising these four little cubs and let’s hope we are treated to many more fantastic sightings like this for many more months to come. It really was a morning I will not forget any time soon.
Let’s hope for many more mornings like this in the months to come.
Not a bad way to start the day or end a trip to Londolozi. They really are too cute for their own good.
Patrick, what a lucky and wonderful find! You never know what you’re gonna find on any given day on any game drive. It does help with a little planning though! Well done!
Wonderful, Patrick – those cubs are too cute for words!
Dear Patrick, I did need this today, a wonderful description of a family story, the lioness has been really an excellent mum and a beautiful specimen, the cubs are beyond all possible description of cuteness! The last picture is absolutely superb, what an expression it has! New to this world, innocent but curious and ready to live! Good luck little cubs!
Great Photos, Patrick and great blog. The mother seems to be huge in comparison with these super cute tiny cubs. It must have been such a pleasure to watch them play around in the drainage line. Wish I had been there.
Hi Patrick, these little cubs are absolutely gorgeous. Getting bigger by the day and Mom is doing a fantastic job raising them. So glad you Patrick and your guests could get the chance to see these little cubs.
There is nothing more captivating or heartwarming than spending time with small, fluffy, wide-eyed young animals no matter the species. The newest Kambula cubs are no exception, their squeaky mewling a delight to your ears as they tumble over one another during play. I’m sure your guests left with smiles and stories of this encounter that would be shared over and over.
What an absolute treat! Always amazed at the different facial features of the cubs when seen up close as in your photos.