It’s a season of uncertainty and transformation in the lion dynamics at Londolozi. The Kambula Pride of lions, once a cohesive unit of five adult lionesses and their offspring, is now showing signs of fragmentation. A natural progression as Subadults mature and pride sizes grow.

A group of eleven sub-adults — seven males and four females — is currently spending most of its time with a single adult lioness. In contrast, the remaining four lionesses are focused on raising a new generation of cubs elsewhere.

As this split in the pride’s structure becomes more defined, and with the sub-adults approaching full independence, we have found ourselves watching the possible formation of a new coalition — or even the quiet beginnings of a second pride.

The Pride’s Lineage

The Kambula Pride emerged from a split in the Ntsevu Pride just over a year ago. One of the founding lionesses was born in 2013, and the others are from a 2018 litter. Together, they established a stronghold in the eastern regions of Londolozi and successfully raised multiple litters under the protection of the Birmingham Males and later the Ndzhenga Males.

The current group of sub-adults were born between mid-2022 and early 2023, putting them at around 18 to 30 months old. At this stage, they are well past the vulnerable cub phase and deep into adolescence — large enough to take down prey as a group, and beginning to display more mature behaviours, particularly among the young males.

The Current Split

The Originals

Of the five original Kambula Lionesses, four are now occupied with raising two new litters — one of four cubs, another of two. To ensure their safety, these lionesses have become increasingly secluded, spending their time away from the rest of the pride in areas suited for denning.

Two of the adult Kambula lionesses pause and stare just before quenching their thirst at a nearby waterhole

In contrast, the eleven sub-adults are consistently seen moving with a single adult lioness, who has assumed the role of mentor. She leads the hunts, coordinates their movements, and holds together what appears to be a semi-independent faction of the pride. Her role is becoming increasingly vital as the sub-adults approach the age when they would naturally disperse or, in the case of the females, begin integrating into the pride’s adult structure.

Two Kambula sub-adults watch carefully as the herd of buffalo gazes carefully at the danger in front of them.

The Males: A Rising Force

The seven young males of the group are entering a critical period in their development. Muscular, energetic, and eagerly participating in the hunts, they’re approaching the age at which male lions typically disperse from their natal pride, often around three years old.

One of the Kambula sub-adult males enjoys the vantage point from a perfectly angled tree to climb with ease.

If they leave as a unified group, they could form a coalition of seven, which would be an exceptional force in the Sabi Sand. A coalition of this size has the potential to dominate large territories, challenge existing males, and fundamentally alter the landscape of lion dynamics in the region.

The sub-adult Kambula Males have already started growing their manes.

Of course, that outcome is far from guaranteed. The demands of feeding seven large males, along with the natural tension that can build in a group this size, may lead to fragmentation before they even leave Londolozi. Whether they remain intact or break into smaller coalitions, their next steps will be closely watched.

The Young Females: Building the Future

While the males prepare for a departure, the four young females are likely to remain. Female lions typically stay within or near their birth range for life. Whether they eventually reintegrate with the four older lionesses and new cubs or continue on as part of a separate group alongside their mentor remains to be seen.

They are reaching the age where their roles in the pride’s future will become more defined — as hunters, as mothers, and potentially as matriarchs of a newly formed pride, should the split deepen.

Watching a Pride in Flux

The Kambula Pride is no longer moving as a single unit. What was once a powerful and cohesive group of five lionesses and their cubs now functions more like two distinct factions: one focused on rearing the next generation, and another preparing the current sub-adults for independence.

The new litter of four cubs is being introduced to one of the Ndzhenga Males.

Whether this division is a short-term result of cub-rearing or the beginning of a more permanent split remains to be seen. What is clear is that the pride structure is changing. The seven young males are approaching the age of dispersal and may form a coalition, while the four young females are gaining experience under the guidance of the remaining adult lioness. How these developments progress will likely shape the future dynamics of lions in the area.