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Lions of Sabi Sands - Printable Version

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RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-06-2016

One of the Mangheni males by Nick Sims
*This image is copyright of its original author


RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-06-2016

From Londolozi
by Nick Sims on September 5, 2016  0



Last week we had the privilege of witnessing one of the great battles between two of Africa’s fiercest rivals. The afternoon commenced with a plan to spend some time with a herd of more than 500 buffalo which were passing through Londolozi’s south-western grasslands and had been seen earlier that morning. A spectacle on its own; however none of us could be prepared for the epic battle which was to transpire.

Although these large buffalo herds are seen relatively frequently there are often periods during which they are not encountered at all for a few days. A large herd like this needs to be constantly moving in search of grazing and water to sustain themselves which is why we thought we would take the opportunity to view them while they were there.

Within half an hour of leaving camp Talley Smith, who was already with the herd, updated us that there was also a pride of lions trailing these buffalo. Without hesitation we headed straight to where Talley had found the herd and were joined shortly afterwards by rangers Dan Buys and Sandros Sihlangu.


*This image is copyright of its original author

The head of the buffalo herd faces off with the young pride as a breeding herd of elephants passes by unperturbed.


Towards the end of the dry season when nutritious grasses are scarce, grazers like buffalo can become more vulnerable as they lose condition. Lions will regularly trail these herds for hours and even days waiting for any weaker animals to be separated from the group, offering greater opportunity to view incredible interactions between these two age-old rivals.

On arrival we were greeted by a wall of enraged buffalo facing off with seven young lions – six of the Mhangeni breakaway pride (three males, three females) along with a young Talamati male who had been spending time with this pride. While the buffalo clearly demonstrated their displeasure at the presence of the pride, the lions seemed quite content to lie around and watch the herd whilst not taking any chances. The remainder of the herd continued grazing behind this standoff, knowing that as long as they kept in a tight grouping the lions would pose little threat. Lions risk their lives even in an attempt to bring down a lone buffalo never mind the collective force of a herd this size.

Within minutes of our arrival, a few of the old buffalo bulls decided they had had enough of the lion’s presence and would make the first move. Charging at the complacent lions, they easily separated the pride and forced three of the young male lions up onto a termite mound and one into a fallen over marula tree.


*This image is copyright of its original author

One of the Mhangeni young males watches the herd after being chased up a fallen Marula tree.



*This image is copyright of its original author

The young male watches the rest of the pride scatter before the oncoming stampede.


For the next half an hour the herd of buffalo continued its relentless pursuit of these lions. Eventually the lions accepted temporary defeat and focused their attention on a herd of wildebeest and dazzle of zebra which were grazing nearby and seemed unaware of the pride’s presence.  After stalking for some time the lions were spotted by a pair of reedbuck which sounded their unique whistling alarm, resulting in the zebra and wildebeest swiftly running away. This was actually the first time I had heard the alarm call of this seldom-seen antelope.

Shortly afterwards, however, a new opportunity presented itself as the pride spotted two female buffalo that were separated from the rest of the large herd by at least 200m. Immediately tracker Bennet Mathonsi turned to me in excitement, aware of what drama could potentially ensue.

The three lionesses immediately began a stealthy approach towards these two lone buffalo followed closely behind by the males. We kept our distance, not wanting to interfere in any way, and waited in anticipation.

We watched the pride get to within 15m of the two cows before launching their attack. It was a rare opportunity to witness this interaction during the day and in such open terrain.

After the initial chaos it emerged that the pride had split and boldly gone for both buffalo simultaneously. Within minutes, one of the buffalo had been brought down and seemed to have given up the struggle as two of the lions clamped their jaws around its muzzle. The other buffalo was not going down without a fight and we watched in awe as the pride tried to bring down the second buffalo.


*This image is copyright of its original author

The young lioness adds her weight.



*This image is copyright of its original author

Cohesion amongst the chaos.



*This image is copyright of its original author


This continued for about fifteen minutes and it seemed as though the young lions had succeeded when all of a sudden Bennet spotted a cloud of dust in the distance moving towards us. The large herd, which were by this point about half a km away, had heard the bellowing distress calls and were stampeding in our direction.


*This image is copyright of its original author

One of the young lionesses is temporarily distracted by her sisters having successfully brought down a second buffalo.


The scene soon turned into chaos as a sea of slashing horns moved back and forth as the lions tried to hold on to their hard-earned meal. This back and forth interaction continued for some time with neither side giving in. Eventually the herd of buffalo managed to chase the determined lions off, at least far enough for a portion of the herd to escort one of the injured buffalos to safety and then return for the next. Both buffalos were severely injured, possibly even fatally so, but managed to stumble to safety while the herd surrounded them, continuously fending the lions off.

RE: Lions of sabi sands - LionKiss - 09-06-2016

Quote:A Mhangeni lioness carries one of her cubs across a portion of the Sand River. This pride has also birthed 12 new youngsters into the pride and we are unsure if they have been fathered by the Matimba or Majingilane coalition, although the Majingilanes are the most likely. Recently the original pride, new youngsters and the breakaway portion joined for a day, temporarily creating a pride of 22! Photography by Amy Attenborough.



this small sentence was added by Londolozi after I have posted my question here.

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Ngala - 09-06-2016

Photo and information credits: Sheila's Africa
"Early Sunday morning (28 August 2016) I came across this gorgeous male lion who was constantly calling and crossed the road several times, obviously in search of this pride H1-1 about 8km from Skukuza. 1 of 2 Sparta Males #SpartaMales"

*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author


RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-07-2016

Mhangeni youngs males

Credits to Erin Long

*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author

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RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-08-2016

Sparta young male 


Tinged By Jean for Discoverkruger 

*This image is copyright of its original author


RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-12-2016

It's harsh times as the current drought conditions at Kirkman's is taking its toll on the buffalo and hippo populations! This Sand River Pride Sub-Adult male however seems quite content feeding on a hippo!

Credit: Gareth Poole Photography

andBeyond Travel #andbeyondrangers

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RE: Lions of sabi sands - Ngala - 09-14-2016

Styx male, credits to Dawid van Zyl from Jock Safari Lodge.

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RE: Lions of sabi sands - Tshokwane - 09-14-2016

And people say the Majingilane have "bad genes"...

Ha! I say. 

I'm always at awe at this male and his brother's beauty. I hope that they can conquer a territory some time.

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Tshokwane - 09-18-2016

The Nkuhuma young male, son of the Matimbas, and his new partner. Credits to Jors Dannhauser.

*This image is copyright of its original author


RE: Lions of sabi sands - Ngala - 09-19-2016

Interesting news @Majingilane. Sabi Sands needs of new strong forces. But the other one male is one of the Talamati males?

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Tshokwane - 09-19-2016

(09-19-2016, 12:15 AM)Ngala Wrote: But the other one male is one of the Talamati males?

I don't know about that, but the one I thought it was the Talamati male was the one with the Mangheni pride and the boys.

This one I don't know who is it, but it could very well be one of his cousins, maybe one of the Mbiri males?

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Ngala - 09-19-2016

(09-19-2016, 02:05 AM)Majingilane Wrote:
(09-19-2016, 12:15 AM)Ngala Wrote: But the other one male is one of the Talamati males?

I don't know about that, but the one I thought it was the Talamati male was the one with the Mangheni pride and the boys.

This one I don't know who is it, but it could very well be one of his cousins, maybe one of the Mbiri males?

Yes, i think that you have reason. I don't found a good photo about Mbiri male for comparison, but i think that it's him.

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Ngala - 09-20-2016

From Londolozi Game Reserve, credits to James Souchon:
"The Mhangeni Breakaway Pride have been moving around the open areas in the south for the last week. On this particular occasion this young male from the pride eyes out a distant buffalo bull."

*This image is copyright of its original author

RE: Lions of sabi sands - Gamiz - 09-22-2016

Mhangeni male kill another buffalo sandriver Kirkmans kamp this is awesome

Credits to Eckson Sithole 

Mhangeni males and Talamati male

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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*This image is copyright of its original author