Lion dynamics at Londolozi are in constant flux—a living dance of dominance, survival, and kinship that plays out against the backdrop of an ancient wilderness. To the casual observer, it may seem counterintuitive for a lioness to leave the safety and strength of her pride while raising young cubs. But in the wild, logic wears a different skin. What appears as separation is often a strategy, guided by a deep, inherited instinct. And when sub-adult lions are involved, the motivations behind these splits become even clearer.

Over the past ten months, we’ve observed two adult lionesses deliberately isolate themselves from the bulk of the Kambula Pride—a calculated move, driven by their maternal will to protect and nurture the next generation of the pride.

Their decision then later coincided with the arrival of six new cubs earlier this year—an event that brought tremendous excitement across Londolozi. But with that excitement came questions. Why had these two mothers taken their cubs away from the larger group? What were they avoiding—or protecting them from?

The answer, it seems, lies in the makeup of the pride itself.

A Deliberate Distance

We’ve been privileged to observe these lionesses employing what can only be described as meticulous strategy in their temporary departure. Their goal is most likely not to isolate themselves permanently, but rather to create space—space from the sub-adult members of the pride, who range from two to three years of age. These young sub-adult lions are in a critical phase of development—still learning, still growing, and always hungry.

Their boisterous nature and growing appetites can inadvertently pose a threat to the youngest cubs, who are still fragile and vulnerable when surrounded by bigger lions. And so, the mothers have carved out a quieter corner of the reserve—away from the chaos—to raise their cubs in peace.

This separation serves several key purposes:

Safety:

Without the looming presence of larger, excitable sub-adults, the cubs can nurse, rest, and explore in relative calm. The more lions clustered around a pride—especially at kills—the more attention they draw from other predators, and the greater the risk of injury or disturbance.

Control:

Being separated from the rest of the pride, the mothers dictate the pace. They choose when to move, where to hide, and how best to avoid the attention of rival coalitions or scavengers. They are no longer bound by the pride’s momentum.

Focus:

With fewer social dynamics to manage, the lionesses can devote their full attention to the cubs—teaching, feeding, and protecting them without distraction.

Interestingly, this temporary structure has also allowed a different kind of balance to emerge.

Two of the cubs play as their mother looks on. Very full-bellied bellied this pride was lying in the same place we left them the afternoon before.

The Role of the Sub-Adults

Within the greater Kambula Pride, there are the five adult lionesses, two of whom are the mothers of the young cubs, and two of the other adults are also now being seen spending time with the mothers. The last adult, the fifth lioness has remained with the group of sub-adults as their guiding figure and matriarch. This split has given the older cubs more freedom to move, explore, and hunt—fitting for their age and developmental needs. At two to three years old, these young lions are reaching the early stages of sexual maturity. Their appetites are fierce, and their instinct is to roam, test boundaries, and begin to assert independence.

Hunting in the rain: Among the sub-adult members of the pride, there are many mouths to feed, which is part of the reason we are seeing increasing attention from the sub-adults on larger prey items such as giraffe and buffalo.

With a single experienced lioness loosely guiding them, the sub-adults form a formidable satellite group. They are not outcasts, but rather in a necessary stage of transition—a natural and normal part of lion social development.

At kills, the feeding hierarchy within a pride is clear. Adult lionesses feed first. Sub-adults follow, often competing aggressively for scraps. Cubs, especially the youngest, are typically last—if they get a chance at all. In the chaos, they can easily be pushed aside or injured, especially when meals are hard-won and hunger is high.

This alone is reason enough for a lioness to remove her cubs from the fray. But there’s another risk too—attraction.

The Kambula lioness tears into the leg of the waterbuck.

The noise, movement, and scent of a pride feeding—especially when sub-adults are involved—can draw the attention of unwanted visitors. Hyenas are often the first to arrive will pose a major threat to the young cubs. But far more dangerous are rival male lions.

The six newest Kambula cubs are believed to have been sired by the Ndzhenga Males. However, should another coalition take over, infanticide becomes a risk—one that the mothers are clearly trying to mitigate through their current isolation. With the Gijima Males pressing in from the south, and several nomadic coalitions drifting across nearby territories, the threat to young cubs is very real.

What Next?

What we are witnessing is not uncommon, but it is always fascinating. The separation of lionesses from their pride—particularly when young cubs and sub-adults are involved—offers an intimate glimpse into the complexity of lion social structures. It is a delicate balance between protection and progression, between nurturing the youngest and allowing the older generation to begin testing the boundaries of independence.

The current dynamic within the Kambula Pride speaks to a pride in transition. With the sub-adults maturing, the presence of multiple coalitions on the periphery, and six vulnerable cubs to raise, the coming months will be critical.

Will the pride reunite seamlessly when the time comes? Will the Gijima Males continue to apply pressure? And what will this mean for the future of the newest cubs and the legacy of the Kambula Lionesses? As always, nature writes her story day by day—each track, each call, each silent movement through the grass another clue in a tale still unfolding. We’ll be watching closely. What do you think happens next?

Let us know in the comments.