Over the last few weeks, the Gijima Males have been appearing more frequently on Londolozi. For a long time, they stuck mostly to the southern parts of the Sabi Sand, but recently their movements have shifted. In a recent sighting, they were even seen as far north as the Sand River and around the Londolozi Camps. This is a significant step for them, and it has left many of us wondering whether these two males plan to establish themselves further north.
If that does happen, it could shake things up quite a bit.
At the moment, the Gijima Males are dominant over the Styx Pride, the Southern Pride and the Msuthlu Pride. These prides are usually found further south, but if the males start to spend more time here, there’s a good chance the prides will follow. Lion prides rely heavily on their males for protection, especially when they’ve got cubs, and we know that females will often adjust their movements to stay closer to those males. If that’s the case here, we might soon see more lions edging closer towards our southern boundary, trying to stay within reach of these males.
That alone would be a big change in our lion dynamics, but it doesn’t stop there. Just recently, one of the Gijima Males was seen mating with a Ntsevu Lioness. This adds a whole other layer to things. The Ntsevu Pride is well-established around the central and eastern parts of our reserve, and if the Gijimas try to push into that space, it could lead to some serious confrontations in the future. The question is, are they here to settle and take over, or are they just exploring before heading back south again?
Not too long ago, one of the Gijima males was mating with one of the Ntsevu lionesses. This could lead to some very interesting dynamics.
It’s still too early to know for sure, but the signs are pointing towards the Gijimas wanting more than just a temporary visit. If they do set up a territory here, Londolozi could soon play host not only to these impressive males but also to the Styx and Msuthlu Prides shifting their ranges. And if they continue to interact with the Kambula and Ntsevu Lionesses, then the lion story in this area could get very interesting very quickly.
The darker maned and bigger of the two brothers walks right down the road past the vehicle.
For now, all we can do is keep watching and listening. That’s the beauty of the bush – you never really know what’s going to happen next. The Gijima Males have already made their presence felt, and if their deep roars keep rolling across the Sand River, it might not be long before they become a permanent part of life here at Londolozi.
The gijma makes are very powerful and I am really interested in what they are doing because as a duo they are virtually indestructible at this stage love to see their prides and cubs
Interesting times for the lions of Londolozi
It’s amazing to me that they already have control of three other prides—that seems like a lot of work for two lions. Are there just no other male lions down south to challenge them? I can only imagine the chaos if those three prides start edging north, while the Gijima males are also trying to take over the Ntsevu and/or Kampala prides. Yikes!
Thank you for the blog Ross thru which we get the insights of lion dynamics playing around in the sabisands area.
The current situation seem complicated with equally formidable coalition of Plains Camp males and Ndzenga males. No doubt there are interesting times ahead.
Hi Ross, very interesting and exciting. Have they recently had a fight with other lions? Maybe the Ndzenga males? They are older, more experienced, on their familiar ground. When male lions take care of many prides, at times they can’t do it properly, like the Plain Camp males and the Tsalala cubs. Or other cases. Anyway, the idea of full prides moving through Londolozi, be for the males protection or to flee, it’s very intriguing and a bit sad at the same time… waiting for news on the case, lovely pictures (the blond lion has a teddy-bear like muzzle)….
Handsome guys – but confrontations ahead could spoil those good looks! Hope more lions won’t mean fewer leopards as the latter evade trouble!
Interesting perspective. I appreciate that the Ndzenga males are fading but what about the Plains Camp males? Aren’t they a factor?
Hi Ross, they are two very impressive males and it seems to me they want to stay nearby the Londolozi camp. What has happened to the Plain Camps Males, they are also two stunning males. We hope they don’t get into a fight with Gijima males. Seeing that one Gijima male has already mated with a Ntsevu lioness means they mean business.
The Gijimas are a coalition that have created a substantial dynasty within the territory south of Londolozi. If they continue to spend time in the territory north of their established prides, it could create a disastrous climate for the existing Ntsevu and Kambula prides, in addition to the other predators that call Londolozi home. Given prides need the protection of the males that sired their cubs, if left alone for too long, there is a risk other males will take advantage of their vulnerability. It is tenuous at the moment and who know what will happen, but guaranteed to be exciting.
These two guys seem to create a promising future for themselves at Londolozi. I am looking forward to hearing more about them.
By the way: do you know if the Tsalala lioness is pregnant? She has been seen mating, hasn‘t she?
Christa Blessing— The Tsalala Lioness is Pregnant and due in wks If I read the info right!!!!
IF I May……… IF these 2 Fellas are mating with different Lioness and they have cubs,,,,,,,,,,,,, will they hurt the cubs of the other lioness??? Or What happens in this case??? Will they stay w/w one or what????? Leaves me Very Concerned for Tsalala Lioness!!!!!!!!
Thanks Suzanne for this wonderful news. I don‘t know really why, but this lioness is so close to my heart. And it would be so wonderful if she could finally have a bit of good luck and raise little ones.