Once a fierce and mega pride roaming within the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve and the surrounding areas, the Southern Pride was reduced to only one. The pride was privileged to have several cubs, few survived unfortunately and moved as far out from their native land as they could. A cub that was born and I witnessed her grow to be the only survivor, at least known.

The Southern Pride female survived the ordeal of the lion dynamics that took place along with one of the older females as they were the only ones left, unfortunately their union did not last long as the older female passed on. The young female was left to fend for herself and lived a solitary life for quite some time until the N’waswishaka male lions made their presence known on our reserve.

The legacy began when she started mating with one of the four N’waswishaka males and produced two female cubs. We were privileged to follow their lives closely as we had done with her. They have now grown and are helping her hunt.

The mortality rate in lion cubs is very high below the age of one year, and it was everyone’s fear that her cubs may not make it to independence and this being her first litter, the risk possibly even greater. The future of the Southern Pride rests heavily on the shoulders of the last remaining adult lioness.

The Southern Pride female’s actions of late have proven without doubt that her daughters are now safely within the “sub adult zone” and no longer “cubs” per se. She is ready to continue the legacy, and everyone was thrilled when we recently found her mating with unknown males from the Kruger National Park. We believe she is ready for a new generation. This is a very exciting time for us as guides as we wait in anticipation to see what will soon unfold.

With the two sub adults being female, it is a big boost to the Southern Pride’s survival and soon they will also be ready to reproduce and carry on the legacy of the Southern Pride.

Whilst the Southern Pride female has been mating with the unknown Kruger males, we have noticed that the N’waswishaka males have also branched out in search of females and have been seen mating with the females from the Kambula Pride, in an attempt to ensure they sire more young.

Now it is just a waiting game to see if she delivers, after just over three months gestation period. The pride once again is coming back its former stature, it will take time but there is a good chance the pride will continue to grow.

With lion dynamics ever-changing, we all wonder if she indeed chose the most fitting males to mate with or could this cause a possible revolt with the N’waswishaka males?! Only time will tell.

The dynamic of lions in this area since the Southern Pride nearly vanished, is amazing and the new era is fast approaching...