At the beginning of October, two new male lions appeared on the reserve. The sun was rising when we first heard them—two unmistakable roars echoing across the Sand River toward camp. These weren’t familiar faces; they’d been tracked from the north of the Sabi Sands. Walking with the confidence that only seasoned males can muster, they roared relentlessly as they made their way south, right through the heart of Londolozi.

Although we had heard them roaring it required a phenomenal tracking effort by Equalizer, Lucky, Sersant, Elvet, Andrea and Raymond leading to the discovery of these two males just north of the Sand River. Ranger Kate and her guests then witnessed them crossing the Sand River at dawn the following morning and Ranger Kirst watched them dramatically chase one of the Plains Camp Males back west into Singita.

But who are they? Where did they come from? And will their presence cause a stir in the Sabi Sands lion dynamics?

The Kruger Male:

The Kruger Male glanced towards a bird of prey circling in the air above.

The Kruger Male’s journey is one of survival against the odds. Born into the S30 Pride near Skukuza in late 2013 or early 2014, he was one of three brothers. The trio stuck together until 2016 when one brother was lost to the unknown dangers of the bush shortly after becoming nomadic.

The remaining two pressed on, eventually claiming dominance over the Torchwood Pride in the north and east of Sabi Sands, fathering a generation of cubs. But life is never easy for male lions. In 2021, the Kruger Male’s last brother sustained a severe hip injury, leaving him vulnerable in the wilderness. His death forced the Kruger Male back into a nomadic life, driven out by the Mantimahle males.

The Southern Avoca Male:

A blast from the past – The Southern Avoca Male

The Southern Avoca Male is no stranger to Londolozi. Born into the Avoca Pride of the Timbavati in early 2013, he is one of five male cubs sired by the legendary Old Avoca Male, also known as the Giraffe Male. Along with his brother, they ventured south, leaving their younger three brothers behind who became known as the Northern Avoca Males.  The Southern Avoca Males eventually secured dominance over the Sparta and Sand River Prides.

Tragedy has, however, shadowed the Southern Avocas. One brother fell to the ruthless Nkuhlu Males, leaving the Southern Avoca Male without a coalition partner and forcing him to wander once more.

A menacing glare from the Southern Avoca Male.

Though he has been seen on Londolozi before—most notably in 2017 when he made headlines by killing the famous Piva Male Leopard and the Xidulu Female Leopard. Since then his reign in the south kept him preoccupied. Now, he has resurfaced, with a new opportunity, although he is well past his sell-by date, to reshape his fate alongside the Kruger Male.

Their Time Together: A New Brotherhood

Roaming Londolozi’s northern reaches, the pair have made their presence known. For over three weeks, they have been scent-marking and roaring, announcing their arrival. The dynamic between them is still in its early stages, but what’s clear is that together, they form a formidable force—one that could challenge the current power dynamics in the Sabi Sands.

An Ominous Encounter

However, the arrival of these two males has not been without incident. A recent encounter left its mark, hinting at the potential for conflict. The Tsalala Pride, carrying on its legacy through the Tsalala Female and her cubs, found itself caught up in the arrival of these incoming males. What exactly happened during this encounter remains to be fully told, but there is more to come on this unfolding story—stay tuned for an in-depth update tomorrow.

The Tsalala Female and one of her cubs resting on the edge of a rocky outcrop.

What Lies Ahead for these Two Males?

The stunning Kruger Male has an impressive mane that is darker towards the edges. Male lions that have darker manes have higher levels of testosterone and generally possess stronger genes.

After the altercation around the Tsalala Pride, the Kruger Male has been seen alone, hinting at the possibility that the Southern Avoca Male, could also have been a casualty. However, the territory these two males have been roaming is fraught with challenges. The Nkuhuma Pride, whose lionesses have been mating with both the Plains Camp Males and the Ntsevu Males, may soon find itself at the centre of a power struggle.

Could this new coalition challenge the dominant Ndzhenga Males in eastern Sabi Sands, or will they become locked in a contest for the Nkuhuma Pride’s females? With the large and powerful Ntsevu Breakaway Males also in the mix, the pressure is mounting.

The age of the Southern Avoca Male is given away by the condition of his canine teeth. If you look closely, his lower right canine has broken off.

This is going to be a fascinating coalition to follow as the male lion dynamics are on a knife’s edge a the moment, stay tuned for more on this in the near future.