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Lions of Timbavati - Printable Version

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-12-2016

From Shindzela Safari Camp
Saw these two males last night. Anybody have an idea who they are or where they come from.


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*This image is copyright of its original author

On the comments someone said that they are the Sumatra males (unknown coalition) and then the Mazopa males, I dont think the last, but I'll waiting a little time.

RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-12-2016

From Umlani Bushcamp

An old face that we haven't seen in a while made a return a few days ago, the old Ross male is still around leading his nomadic existence in his retirement days.
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From Africa on foot
On last night's game drive (on World Lion Day) we got to see some old friends - in the form of the Ross Pride! Three lions were sunning themselves peacefully when we encountered them relaxing in a mopane thicket. What a treat! Last time we saw these guys was back in Febraury, as they tend to stay away since their pride dispersed when the Trilogy arrived on the territory.

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-13-2016

From Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Action packed morning , Takazile pride have Killed 2 buffalo about 300 m apart close to the lodge , Tin tin has returned with some other big male ? It was a bit hectic this morning with lions everywhere ...

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Tin tin aka Duma (he's brother of one male of the Mohlabetsi coalition ).

RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-15-2016

Mazopa male

Credits to Ranger Bjorn

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-17-2016

From Ezulwini Game Lodges



The Balule Nature Reserve is certainly delivering very interesting lion pride dynamics. We're seeing more and more of these four males, the Mohlabetsi coalition. There was a huge showdown close to two buffalo kills, ending in a huge scuffle and wounded egos. The lions all dissipated but then, as darkness descended, the tough Mohlabetsi males came out to play. Is this coalition controlling our whole area? Are these four our new kings?

One of the Mohlabetsi coalition of males tucks into his buffalo kill. This coalition of four is fast becoming a dominant force in our area.

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These four rough and tough males are constantly on the move in search of prides to take over. They're sticking their noses into every pride, testing the waters and causing chaos where they go. 

We saw the boys tucking into a buffalo kill just the other night. This was shortly after the big scuffle between lions earlier on in the day. 



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The sub-adults feed on the meat from a recent buffalo kill. 


The coalition of 4 males patrols the territories of not only the Mohlabetsi Pride, but also the Impalabos Pride and the River Pride, increasing their ownership of the land by a long shot. 


Duma's Pride is playing hide and seek with these formidable males! 
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Meal for four males ! This powerful coalition of lions enjoys the perfect feast! 
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The Mohlabetsi boys get stuck into their meal! Lions rely on their power and stalking ability to take down big prey. When a lion charges at its quarry and it misses, it'll abandon the chase
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Lions remain sedentary for up to 20 hours a day. they expend plenty of energy during their ambushing and powerful hunting techniques. 


They're not shy to gorge themselves on a kill and will sit with a carcass until there's barely anything left. You can literally see their stomachs expand. 


Their breathing becomes laboured because their stomachs press up against their diaphragms. 
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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-17-2016

From Nthambo  Tree Camp

The Trilogy male lions have been spotted gorging on a kill, the Giraffe pride have been seen devouring a buffalo and now the Mapoza males are mating with the Ross Pride breakaway lionesses. So much lion action happening in the Klaserie! The two Mapoza's have become quite a force on our turf and over the weekend they were seen mating with the Ross females. Click on each image to find out more!

Mazopa male 

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From Africa on foot
One of the Mapoza males giving us a bit of yawn and snarl. The one with the full mane has been spotted mating with one of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses.

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-18-2016

From Ezulwini Game Lodge 


 [i]The lion pride dynamics of the Balule Nature Reserve are fast becoming an intricate minefield of power, bravado and nervousness. There’s always a shift in dynamics within prides when sub-adult males become testosterone fuelled beasts ready to mark their mark in the “jungle” and claim territories. [/i]This is exactly what has been happening on the traverse covering the central and southern parts of the Balule Nature Reserve. The lions we’re referring to are the Mohlabetsi coalition of males, a group of 4 males from the Mohlabetsi pride who seemingly reign over the Mohlabetsi, River and Impalabos Prides. At the forefront of the coalition is the big Mohlabetsi male, a rugged, rough and handsome lion – Duma’s brother in fact.  

The feedback sent from guide and lodge manager Jochen has been an endless flood of reports displaying a clear shift in kingdoms and a fight for control over local prides. Certain prides have scattered and others hide when they sense this thunderous force of males approaching.
Here are the antics and the chaos over the past few weeks. If you’re wanting an exciting lion story to follow, we suggest you trail the story of the Mohlabetsi coalition of males.  They’re a formidable force and they’ll stop at nothing to take over turf. Their original pride, the Mohlabetsis, are the only ones that aren’t avoiding the coalition. They’re on the far southeast of the Ezulwini traverse, so the full pride hasn’t been seen in quite sometime. Another pride, the Impalabos, seem to have gone east, which is why they haven’t been seen in a while.
Here’s the lowdown, straight from Jochen:
The boys of the Balule have tried to dominate and lead the River Pride, but the pride is avoiding the powerful coalition. The River Pride used to dwell in the confines of Ezulwini River Lodge but they’ve moved further downstream in order to avoid the Mohlabetsi coalition. The tracks from the River Pride are often seen on the access road, but the lions move back to more hidden territory before dawn.
Quote:Jochen says, ” Duma’s pride is playing hide and seek with the coalition of four males. One day, the four males came from the property on our eastern boundary (where the River Pride is hiding), and went west along the river, to finally catch a buffalo very close to Billy’s lodge. This is also very close to where Duma’s pride normally hangs out. But it’s obvious that the pride wants nothing to do with the coalition. In an “attempt” to escape from them – they went all the way south, deep into Mohlabetsi pride territory. Here we found them resting under some shrubs. The next day the coalition moved back east, and Duma’s pride moved back west.”

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The coalition of 4 males rules in the centre of Ezulwini traverse. The blonde male and the adult male with the dark mane are the oldest of the four. The dark maned male is Duma’s brother. There are two youngsters together with the older boys.
The coalition appeared to come from the south (where the Mohlabetsi pride often hangs out), but then turned northeast towards where the River pride is mostly seen. A few days ago we heard they made a buffalo kill even further to the west. It’s clear these four males now control the majority of the Ezulwini traverse!

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*This image is copyright of its original author

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The most exciting lion sighting was that of the Singwe pride having a full throttle head on collision with Duma’s brother.
Here’s what happened…
Jochen says, “In the early morning, Frans and Hector, guide and tracker atEzulwini Billy’s Lodge, found the Singwe pride on a buffalo kill in a drainage line very close to the lodge. There was a huge noise coming from the same drainage line but in a westerly direction.”
What ensued was remarkable. There was actually another buffalo kill made by lions. It was assumed that it was the work of Duma’s Pride. It would make sense, given that the western side is their turf. A huge male appeared from the drainage line and chased away the Singwe Pride. He sauntered straight past the game viewer before disappearing north of the Ezulwini traverse. The Singwe Pride fled while the huge male continued to give chase. Everyone assumed it was Duma, given the blonde locks and fearsome attitude.
Jochen continues, “Back in the lodge we looked at our images. Wait a minute! This wasn’t Duma! This was Duma’s brother! If he’s so close to Billy’s, then surely his three other mates must be close? This is the furthest west we’ve ever seen the coalition of four males. Certainly not good news for Duma and his pride. One of the guides speculates that Duma may have been spotted in the Klaserie, heading east”.
We certainly hope you’ve enjoyed our Balule lion catch up!

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-18-2016

From Africa on foot

This Herculean of a lion is one of the Mapoza males. The dynamic duo have become quite the regulars on Trilogy ground. The Trilogy are still around but these boys seem to dominate sightings at the moment. The other day, the handsome one with the long locks was seen mating with one of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. And last night, he was roaring right outside the ranger's block. Here are Greg's images from the great mating session!

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Tshokwane - 08-18-2016

I'm really starting to like the Mohlabetsi males. 

They have the numbers, they are imposing their presence and most importantly their leader know what he wants to do, that is to conquer.

What I find even most interesting is that the older male has that brother who's on his own, attached to the pride. Certainly something uncommon in the wild, where brothers stick together.

I think it is quite clear which of the two will come on top.

RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-20-2016

From SunDestinations 

One of the handsome, clean-cut Mapoza males wastes no time getting stuck into his buffalo kill! He was recently seen mating with one of the Ross Pride breakaway lionesses!
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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Tshokwane - 08-21-2016

A massive greeting between the two Thanda Impi male Lions. Credits to Darren Donovan Wildlife Photography.

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Tshokwane - 08-21-2016

Yesterday morning, the Skorro Thanda impi male Lion was found on Catwalk west, roaring and trying to relocate the Mbiri pride. Credits to Darren Donovan, Tintswalo Safari Lodge.

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Ngala - 08-21-2016

From Africa Geographic, Following lions into the night, by Greg McCall-Peat, 17 June '16
As someone who has worked in the safari industry for over 13 years, I have seen some amazing things. However, there are always opportunities for us to see things for the first time, regardless of how long we have been out in the bush.

One particular evening in the Timbavati proved just that, when I had the chance to witness multiple displays of power from two male lions in one special sighting.



That morning two lions were found on one of their expansive territorial patrols through the southern sections of our Umlani Bush Camp traversing area. I was a long way off but made my way toward the area as I had guests on the vehicle who were big cat fanatics, much like me. We all agreed there was no better way to spend your morning than with big male lions as they go about their business, so we had to try to find them.

On arriving at the sighting we found the males resting in thickets after their long patrol. It wasn’t the amazing sighting that I had in mind but we still managed to get a few photos of them through the odd gap in the vegetation before we decided that the afternoon might provide us with a better chance of seeing them more active and out in the open.

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The scars on the face of this male are testament to the brutal life that a male lion leads.

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I always look into the eyes of a lion. They have a pulling power that leaves you wondering what stories they would be able to tell; amber eyes that pierce your very soul.

On returning to the male lions in the afternoon we found them sleeping, so decided to have our sundowner drinks stop and return to them after dark. Later that day, they were indeed slightly more active – grooming each other, yawning and stretching. It was then that the first display of power happened.

It was what we had been waiting for.

The two males began to roar! Now this was something I have witnessed before, but you can never get enough of it. That sound, which can be heard up to eight kilometres away by the human ear, was coming from the lions lying a mere four metres from us, and reverberated through the vehicle and into our inner beings. It is something that cannot be described; it can only be experienced in person.

The males roared once more before getting up and heading off to continue their patrol. They moved along the road, which gave us several opportunities to loop around ahead of them and have them walk right past the vehicle. It is then that you realise the sheer size of a male lion. Even when sitting up in a Land Rover, they are almost eye level with you and so close that you could reach out and touch them as they stroll by.

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One of the male lions watching his coalition partner move off as they begin their nightly patrol.
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A powerful photo of a powerful male lion, just after a bout of roaring. The males listened intently for any reply, either from rival males or one of the prides they dominate.

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A lion standing next to the vehicle gives a great idea of the sheer size of these big cats. It was a humbling experience being eye level with one of the largest male lions I have ever seen.

As we followed the males, we realised they were heading more or less in the general direction of an old leopard kill, and we were curious to see if they would try to get to the scraps. One of the males stopped and lifted his head up, taking in deep breaths of a scent carried on the breeze that only he could smell. We were about 800m away from the leopard kill, but he smelt it and started making his way straight towards it. We raced to get there before him so that we could get prime seats to watch him scale the tree and claim his small prize.

It took a couple of minutes for the male to arrive. When he did, he searched the area with his nose to the ground trying to find the source of the scent. He got to the base of the tree that the kill was in and looked up into the branches, catching sight of it. We all expected him to leap up the tree trunk, but instead he moved directly below the kill and reached up on his hind legs, grabbing the kill and pulling it down to the ground.

It was something I had never seen before and the fact that he was able to reach up to that height was just awe inspiring. However, he soon realised that it wasn’t much of a prize after gnawing on the dried piece of skin, so he moved off after his brother to continue their patrol.

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The moment the male lion picked up on the scent of the old leopard kill.

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A once in a lifetime photograph as the male lion reached up and grabbed the carcass out of the branches above him.

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The almost disappointed look on the male lion’s face was evident when he realised that the effort he had just gone to was for a piece of dried skin and not the substantial meal he thought it was.

We left the sighting knowing that what we had seen was one of those sightings that will remain in our memory bank for the rest of our lives. It’s not often that plans work out when on safari. We often set out with what we want to achieve in mind, only to go off course thanks to other marvels of the bush. However, on this night all our plans played out to perfection, leaving us playing the scenes we had just witnessed over and over again in our minds.

RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-22-2016

Ross males

Credits to Ziggi Hugo

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RE: Lions of Timbavati - Gamiz - 08-23-2016

Credits to Johan Adolf Smalman

Sumatra males with a very pale lioness.

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Ross male mating with Avoca pride.

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