I recently had the privilege of spending a cool summer afternoon with the two Kambula lionesses and their 6 cubs. Resting in an open clearing among a few guarri bushes, there was a lovely cool breeze in the air – it really was a magical scene. As I delivered my narrative to my guests about where these lions fitted into the bigger picture I couldn’t help but reflect on how well these two lionesses have done to still have all 6 cubs alive and well. It was a calm scene but one set against a far more brutal reality and it offered the perfect prompt for an update.
The Kambula cubs rest off Plaque road
A Territory in Flux
To truly appreciate this feat of maternal instinct, I need to give some context. The lionesses are raising cubs sired by the Ndzhenga males, who over the past few months have been displaced and pushed north by the more youthful Gijima males. That fact alone places the cubs at serious risk. Male lions are intensely focused on lineage; in fact, I think instinctually obsessed is a better way of describing it. It is quite literally their sole goal in life! Whether alone or in coalition,s their instinct is clear: reproduce and have as many cubs as possible and also kill any cubs that are not their own.
One of the Kambula lionesses receives some attention from her cub
Dangerous Coalition
The arrival of the Gijima males has meant that these two lionesses have had their work cut out for them. These powerful males now occupy much of the surrounding area, and any encounter with them would almost certainly result in the two lionesses losing all 6 of their cubs. Moving away is not a simple solution either. Pushing further north would bring the lionesses into contact with other established prides like that of the Nkuhuma pride, where aggression toward unfamiliar females and cubs would be just as likely. You can see now how this is a bit of a rock and a hard place type of situation for these two resilient lionesses.
Maternal Instincts
As a result of these unfolding dynamics, the two Kambula lionesses have been forced into a careful balancing act. They shift their movements constantly, adjusting their timing as an effort to keep their cubs away from the Gijima males and any other males, for that matter. The six cubs come from two different litters, with the older four already a few months ahead of the younger two. You see, lionesses ordinarily with cubs are afforded protection by the resident males who have sired the cubs and therefore have a very vested interest in their well-being. These two lionesses, unfortunately, don’t have that luxury.
Kambula lioness and the cubs
Unyielding Lionesses
The odds are really stacked against them. Lion cub mortality is high even in stable times, and this is anything but stable. Yet 2025 has already delivered plenty of reminders of how resilient predators can be. These two lionesses are a prime example. They continue to adapt, defend, and make decisions that keep their cubs alive, day by day.
The Road Ahead
For now, all six cubs are still here. They are alert, growing, and very much part of the landscape. That alone is an achievement. The months ahead will be critical, but the story is far from over and if there is anything I have learnt from my time at Londolozi, growing up going to the bush, and just general observations of lionesses is that they defend their cubs with an unyielding ferocity.
I sure hope all the babies survive the lion cubs and leopards cub
Hi Tammy, you and I both!
Hi LGR. Although the 2 adult lionesses of the Kambula pride are both doing very well indeed by working togethet as a duo, but I do hope they’ll be successful in raising their 6 cubs to the out of danger period before the 2 powerful and large Gijima males discover and kill them. But though we know that the 4 older cubs are 3 boys and 1 girl, but have you also managed to sex the other 2 cubs to see what they are there yet at all? I, like you, want those 6 cubs to survive very well.
I also hope the two lionesses continue to be very successful in keeping their six fast growing cubs well away and out of sight of the two Gijima males, as it said in the blog that the two lionesses might loose all six of their cubs to the paws and jaws of two of the largest male lions in the whole of the Sabi Sands. If the six cubs do get discovered and killed, it’ll mean the lineage and last offspring of their two former pride males will end. It will be ever so sad if they don’t survive.
Their two former pride males are no longer over them, so the two lionesses will have to continue to try and evade trouble and danger whenever and if they catch the sight and scent of any unwanted danger, and move their six very vulnerable cubs to a safer hiding place. I’m not suggesting they will do, but I do hope the six cubs continue to survive and thrive very well and nicely. It will be one big acheivement for the protective mother lionesses if they keep them all.
I’m sure they’ll be very releived if they can raise all 6 of their cubs to hard indepedence successfully, and then once they feel ready, they will look to mate with the 2 big and exceptionally powerful Gijima males to try for their next new litters of cubs together. If the two mothers see or hear rouge male lions calling very nearby to where they are with their 6 cubs, then I’m sure they won’t hesitate to move the youngsters well away to a place that is safer and quieter. I don’t think they’ll move the cubs away from the 2 old Ndhzenga males, as they are both the biological fathers of the cubs and might well be more than happy to spend a bit of time and tranquility with them altogether. But if any type of danger threatens them, then I bet the 2 old males, if they are with the mothers, will all move the cubs well away. Especially as the 2 old males know your property like the back of their paws so well. I also ezpect the 2 mothers will leave their 6 cubs in a safe hiding place not to far away from where they might end up making a successful kill at night time.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 30.12.25
Hi Robert, I hope you are well! I personally don’t know the sex of the younger two. I’ll check if anyone in our team has managed to conclusively establish this and get back to you.
The most recent sighting of the Kambula lionesses revealed only 5 cubs but we’d need further sightings to confirm anything along those lines. The two lionesses have a tricky road ahead that much is certain!
The problem lies in the fact that the Gijima’s have displaced the older Ndhzengas males and so the Kambula lionesses don’t have the full protection that the males would normally provide if they were still territorial over that area. I hope this makes sense.
Such a lovely photo of the six cubs, Nick. It would really be such a shame if they were killed by the new coalition after all the effort and love the two lionesses have shown to make sure of their well-being.
In Sean’s last video he showed the lionesses mating with the Gijima males, one of them still having suckle marks.
Does this mean that the cubs are still fine or have they already been killed by now? Your blog seems to say that they are still there?
I hope so very much.
Thanks Christa. The two Kambula lionesses who had the litters at the beginning of 2025 seem to still have all 6 of their cubs although the most recent sighting only 5 of them were seen. The litter of 4 are slightly older then the second litter of 2.
Later on in the year another Kambula lioness gave birth to a different litter of cubs. It is suspected that this litter are unfortunately no longer.
Thanks for the update, Nic. I was also fortunate enough to spend time with this family when I came in November. They were in an open clearing and the cubs were all in a very playful mood – it was enchanting to watch them. Fingers and paws crossed for their future.
Hi Suzanne, absolute pleasure. Glad you had a chance to see them all!
How old do the cubs need to be before they’re no longer considered a threat to the new males? 2 ½-3 years?
Hi Chelsea, its tricky to say an exact age but once they are closer to 18/24 months they at least have the mobility to run away from territorial males who are in their prime. Also its less of a threat and more a case of the Gijima males wanting to eradicate any lion that doesn’t stem from their lineage. Male lions specifically territorial ones are completely obsessed with creating and nurturing a bloodline/lineage and so these cubs who were sired by other males will always be in the firing line as long as they remain in this territory. I hope this makes sense?
Keep well.
Hi Nick, let’s hope the end and beginning of the year brings a lot of luck to these two brave mothers and their wonderful cubs! All fingers crossed for them!
Absolutely Francesca! Fingers crossed.
Wonderful news, I saw them in early September and to hear and see they have all survived is totally down to the 2 lioness lions.
Let’s hope they have a healthy and successful new year .
Happy New Year to the whole Londolozi team
Thanks Susan! I trust you had an enjoyable end to the year. Fingers crossed.
Your update Nic reminds me of the two Ntsevu lionesses who had to move around to protect their cubs fathered by the Birmingham males, as the Ndhzengas had taken over the territory. They managed to raise them and eventually returned full time to Londolozi. I believe their four males are still nomadic, still looking for a pride. These Kambula mothers seem to be quite adept as well, at keeping away from the fray to insure their survival. I saw the first four born back in March, as little fluff balls, hidden away on a sandy bed among the small palms. Their mother was there, stretched out in a sleeping position, but four little bodies would not leave her alone. Ultimately two brave cubs, wandered a couple of meters away from her exploring a small bush. Now they look like adolescents and I would guess they are around a year old. Fingers crossed these two mothers will be able keep one step ahead of the Gijimas.
Hi Denise, they are incredible lionesses indeed!
We actually saw those males the other day. Great to have them back around Londolozi! They are still under a year old. Fingers crossed indeed.
Got everything crossed for those beautiful lionesses and their gorgeous cubs.
Hi Moira, you and I both! Keep well.
Hi Nic, these two lionessess have there work cut out for them, trying to protect the cubs from the Gijima males. It really is a difficult situation for them. Let’s hope for the new year the cubs will grow up to adulthood.
Hi Valmai, only time will tell but like you I certainly am hoping for the best!
So Sean’s video safari said the younger cubs were killed? But you think they are still with us? I’m confused!
Hi Anita, apologies for the confusion. The cubs Sean was referring to were from a different Kambula Lioness. These cubs that are no longer were born far later in the year. The arrival of the two Gijima males has split the Kambula pride for now.
To our knowledge the 6 cubs (two litters 4 and 2) are still healthy. Although a recent sighting showed only 5 of them but nothing is confirmed yet.
thank you Nic for the clarification! we need flow charts sometimes 😉 cheers!