There are moments in the bush that feel heavy when you are living them, moments that remind you that lion society is not built on sentiment but on survival and strategy. A while ago, the arrival of the Gijima Males marked one of these moments.
Their takeover marked a new chapter in the dynamics of the lions of Londolozi. As with so many new coalitions asserting dominance, their arrival came with consequences. As many of you know, their arrival resulted in the killing of the cubs of the two Kambula Lionesses that decided to hang back when the rest of their pride decided to move further north to stay under the protection of the Ndzhenga Male Coalition.
A single Gijima male strolls down the road on a late morning on a patrol.
At first, the future of the Kambula pride felt unsettled. There has been a three-way split of the pride since the arrival of the Gijima Males. The oldest of the lionesses decided to part ways with the pride and move out with the 11 sub adult lions that would have likely also been killed if they had stayed around. As mentioned, the two other lionesses went north to follow the Ndzhenga Males and the other two decided to chance their luck and stay behind. Although their decision at first seemed to be the wrong one, recent news suggests some light at the end of the tunnel for them.
When a new coalition takes over and eliminates existing cubs, it accelerates the return of the lionesses into oestrus. It is brutal, but it is nature’s mechanism to ensure the incoming males can pass on their genes before they themselves are challenged. Within two weeks of the cubs being killed, we started to see a shift. Knowing that the Gijima Males were now here to stay, the lionesses knew the only chance of a rebuild was to mate with them and so they have…
A Gijima male and one of the Kambula lionesses mating in the recent heavy rain we have had.
A few days ago, the two Kambula Lionesses were found resting with both the Gijima Males in the southeastern parts of Londolozi. At first it was not obvious, but as soon as one of the lionesses got up to move into some shade, we immediately saw it. The swollen abdomen and the low-hanging belly of a milk pouch starting to form told us everything we needed to know. She is pregnant. A few moments later, the second lioness got up to move into the same shade as her sister, and she too showed the same symptoms. Both of them are pregnant.
The Light Mane Gijima male mating with the Kambula lioness. The potential of new additions to the Kambula pride has created some excitement in the air.
Just a few months ago, they were facing the harsh reality of a lion’s life, having all their cubs killed. Facing the tension that comes with a takeover and now, the quiet anticipation of new life. This reminds me that following the lions of this amazing space is not always about the sightings; it is about understanding the reasoning and layers beneath each event. And in this moment, we realised we could be witnessing the first steps in rebuilding the legacy that the Kambula Pride once held dearly onto.
The old Kambula Pride resting on our strip, will they restore themselves to the numbers they once were? Time will tell…
There is a long road ahead. Although there is much excitement around the possibility of having some brand new cubs around the reserve, dominance is not permanent. The Gijima Males are going to have to defend their tenure, and the lionesses will need to successfully hide and raise their cubs in an ever-changing dynamic of lions. But for now, there is excitement in the air at Londolozi. In the next few months, if all goes well, the next generation of the Kambula Pride may begin their story.
Thank you for the update on the Kambula pride. Talking about lionesses, what is the latest status of the Tsalala lioness?
Good question, I too would like to know
Any word on how far the Ndzhenga Males have travelled? They were simply gorgeous to be around in 2024. I look forward to meeting the Gijima duo and perhaps ‘finding’ denning cubs this fall!
Hi Bryce, when lioness can’t count on lions whose behaviour is impeccable while guarding the territory and protecting cubs, their lives may become a nightmare. The Tsalala female being alone and having to rely on the Plain Camp males was definitely unlucky. So the Kambula lionesses after the departure of the Ndzenga males and the two relatives of them. The Breakaway were successful, so, in spite of the tragedies happened to both lionesses and offspring, there had been a great result. I’m convinced that the Kambula lioness who led the subadults to Sabi Sand was very wise. Losing a leader lioness has often very negative consequences. The Breakaway Female is another wonderful success, and she found the Styx male! I do hope that the Gijma males will behave better in their future, although their behaviour seems more similar to the Plain Camp males than to the Ndzenga or the Birmingham… too glad to see those beautiful lionesses together and raising new lives, hopefully! I’m very interested in further dynamics of all lions and lionesses, there they are at ease in their perfect territory! Thank you so much for the news and the wonderful pictures! (I ask to myself how can leopards do well in such a densely lions populated zone, without counting the never-ending marauders, hyenas!)
Whilst it was tragic to learn the Gijima males killed the cubs of the two Kambulas that chose to remain, life lessons in the bush tell us that mating would begin again soon and these two lionesses would fall pregnant again. It’s exciting to know that lion cubs will be seen again soon, hopefully protected by the males that were responsible for the previous loss of cubs. On that note, what is the status of Tsalala? Has she been seen, any sign of tracks…..?
Hi Bryce, thank you for the update on the lion dynamics on Londolozi. I was so heartbroken when I heard the cubs were killed. But that is nature and know it is showing that the two lionessess are pregnant. Both those Gijima males are two huge lions and have good genes. Will be fantastic to see little cubs again. Do you know if the Tsalala female is okay and does she still have her cubs?
Have I understood this correctly that the oldest lioness moved away with the 11 older cubs and they are still alive?
It is indeed very difficult to digest that these male lions move around killing all the offspring of other males, though, of course, that’s obviously how lion nature works.
Let’s hope that the Gijima Males will stay around long enough so that the new cubs will have a chance of survival.
Hi LGR. Thank you so much for putting up such a good and fascinating update on the Kambula lionesses that had the sad misfortune of loosing their cubs to the 2 large Gajima males in November. It was so very interesting indeed, and it is so good to know that they’ve both got some brand new cubs well on their way.
If they’re both still looking ever so very heavily pregnant together, I’d think they will have at least three or four cubs each by the time they give birth eventually. It will be so nice and good to have a increase in numbers for the once big pride.
I don’t know what you think, but I’m just thinking to myself what the chances are of them joining the two busy mother lionesses and their six cubs so they raise all of their cute cubs very successfully as a safe and stable pride unit well jointly.
I hope the Kambula pride will rebuild it’s former numbers back up to what they all once were a few long years ago. How far of are the two so very pregnant lionesses from giving birth to their cubs now? I’m hoping they’re not far away, as I bet all of the Kambula pride fans are all getting very excited and eger indeed to see the cubs together very soon one day. As they get more and more pregnant, I’d think their tummies will soon be looking like huge balloons over there. Wouldn’t they?
Do keep the updates on them piling in from there as much as possible please.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 24.3.26
This is exciting news, although it begs the question that if there are now multiple Kambula splits with cubs from different fathers, what’s the likelihood they’ll ever reunite? I suspect they’ll become permanently separate prides now.