Over the past week, the dynamics of the Kambula pride have shifted in a way that is fascinating to watch unfold. We have long suspected that two of the lionesses were heavily pregnant, and a sighting earlier this month set the stage for what has now been confirmed: the first of the new litters has arrived. With another lioness likely to give birth at any moment, this could mark a significant turning point in the pride’s future.

This is what a 5-day-old lion cub looks like! Its eyes haven’t even opened yet, and it has no teeth.

A Morning Drive That Took an Unexpected Turn

On Sunday, 9 November, we headed out on our last morning drive with guests who simply wanted to explore the south-eastern stretches of the reserve. It was one of those relaxed drives where the landscape itself becomes the focus. We found a troop of baboons moving along the edge of the Sand River, some feeding on the banks, others climbing through the branches above.

As the troop moved deeper into the trees and began to disappear, we were just about to continue on when a sharp, unmistakable alarm call rang out. Baboons do not waste energy on half-hearted alarms; when they shout, it is for a good reason. Tracker Tshepo Dzemba and I climbed out of the vehicle to take a closer look. A quick scan revealed only a flicker of movement, the tip of a tail slipping into a thicket, but that brief glimpse was enough. It was a lioness.

We looped around the block to access the thicket from another angle. When we came out on the far side, two Kambula Lionesses stepped out into the open. Both were extremely pregnant. Their slow and deliberate pace, together with their distended bellies, left no doubt that they were within days, possibly hours, of giving birth. Each time they walked into a thicker patch of vegetation, we genuinely thought we might witness the beginning of labour.

Eventually, they disappeared into the dense vegetation of the Sand River. We left them with the strong sense that we would soon have news.

Five Days Later, The First Litter Revealed

Only five days after that encounter, ranger and tracker duo Melvin and Milton found one of the lionesses deep in a secure thicket, nursing four tiny cubs. The cubs were only a few days old, tiny bundles barely able to lift their heads. The timing matched perfectly with what we had predicted.

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The second lioness, who appeared equally pregnant when we saw them together, has not yet been confirmed, but based on her condition that morning, there is every chance that she has also given birth nearby or is on the verge of doing so.

Will These Lionesses Share a Den?

Typically, a lioness isolates herself from the pride for the first few weeks after giving birth. This separation reduces the risk of harm to newborn cubs, who are vulnerable to everything from other predators to older pride cubs that may play too roughly.

However, this situation is unusual.

One of the Kambula females and the cubs sired by the Ndzhenga males

The two lionesses we saw together have split off from the main portion of the Kambula pride. Their two sisters remain with the group of six older cubs, all of which were sired by the Ndzhenga males. The new cubs discovered this week, and those soon to come, are sired by the new Gijima males who have recently taken over this section of territory.

The Gijim males have not only taken over new territory but, with it, females from the Ntsevu and Kambula prides.

Because the two pregnant lionesses are not currently accompanied by any older cubs from a previous coalition, there is no immediate pressure for them to separate from each other. This raises an interesting possibility, will they den communally? It is not common behaviour, but when two related lionesses give birth within days of each other, shared denning can happen. If so, they may raise their litters cooperatively, synchronising movements and providing increased protection.

Only time will tell whether this will develop into a shared den site or whether they will eventually split to raise their cubs independently.

A Pride Splitting Into Three

The broader context adds another layer to this story. The Kambula pride, once a unified group of five lionesses, now appears to be dividing into three distinct units:

1. Two lionesses with six Ndzhenga-sired cubs, still moving as the larger and more established portion of the pride.

2. The two lionesses are now denning with, or near, the Gijima males, each likely with a new litter.

3. The older Kambula lioness has taken the previous subadult group and moved deeper into the Kruger National Park.

The full complement of the Kambula pride before the Gijima males moved into Londolozi

This kind of fragmentation is not unusual during male takeovers, but the degree of it is notable. Each subgroup now faces different pressures, from cub survival to territorial stability, and the decisions of the new Gijima males will play a significant role over the coming months.

A Sensitive Period Ahead

As the newly discovered cubs are still extremely young, we will not approach the den site for the next month. This period is essential for mothers, providing them with the seclusion and safety they need to settle, bond with their cubs, and move them naturally between den sites without any additional pressure. Once the cubs are strong enough to be moved more confidently, and the lionesses begin to widen their movements, we will have more opportunities to view them responsibly.

Hopefully, in the next month, we will be able to view the latest additions to the Kambula pride.

What Comes Next?

A male takeover always sets off a chain reaction within a pride, influencing movements, cub survival, social dynamics and long-term structure. With the arrival of new cubs and two different sets of sires involved, the Kambulas are entering a period of rapid change.

It will be interesting to see what lies ahead for the Kambula pride and how the split amongst the adults will affect the dynamics at Londolozi

In the coming weeks, we will be paying close attention to whether the two lionesses choose to den together, how the Gijima males settle into their tenure, when the new cubs will be introduced to the larger pride, and whether the pride will remain split or eventually reunite in some form.

For now, what is certain is that a new chapter has begun for the Kambula lionesses. Watching how this phase unfolds will offer valuable insight into pride dynamics during a takeover, and it is a privilege to witness it in real time.