Kambula/Ntsevu Pride

[NLAL11]

Mala Mala Game Report March 2024

THE KAMBULA PRIDE = 18
1 ADULT FEMALE ± 10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
4 ADULT FEMALES ± 5 YEARS 8 MONTHS
9 CUBS 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS
1 CUB 1 YEAR 1 MONTH
3 CUBS 0 YEARS 8 MONTHS
MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD, NORTHERN CHARLESTON
(17 sightings)

From this month forward, the group previously referred to as ‘the bulk of the pride’ will retain the
name Kambula, while the ‘estranged lionesses’ are now referred to as the Ntesvu pride; they have
their own section in the report. A detailed blog on the separation of the pride and the choice of the
new name can be found on the MalaMala website.
We received higher than average rainfall this month, so this pride made use of more of their territory.
Thus, we saw less of them than usual.

Noteworthy sightings:
• On the 6th, they were seen in the Sand River south of Sandpit Crossing, where they had a
standoff with a hippopotamus.
• Five lionesses and only 12 cubs were found east of the Sand River opposite Rattray’s Camp on
the 7th, while the 13th cub was found inside the fence of Rattray’s camp. He found is way out
and joined the pride later that afternoon.
• On the 10th, they were joined by the two Ndhzenga males at Mamba Waterhole.
• On the 15th, they were joined by the two Ndhzenga males south of Vulture Waterhole, where
all 20 individuals roared together.
• One female and six cubs were north of Styx Crossing the next day. The rest of the pride were
further north, near Maurice’s Pan.
• On the 17th, they were all together again east of the Tamboti Thickets and had moved further
south to the Kapen Breakfast spot on the 18th, where the two Ndhzenga males were also seen.
• On the last day of the month, the pride and one Ndhzenga male had an impala kill north of
Rattray’s Camp.


THE NTSEVU PRIDE = 6
2 ADULT FEMALES 11 YEARS 0 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE ± 10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
3 CUBS 0 YEARS 4 MONTHS
MARTHLY, SOUTHWESTERN EYREFIELD & NORTHWERSTERN MALAMALA
(31 sightings)

The Kambula pride has been split in two with three of the original lionesses and the three cubs
adopting the name of the pride used by our neighbours. For the last four months these lions have
been seen regularly in the area of Campbell Koppies (used as a den site), Mlowathi Koppies and the
lower reaches of the Mlowathi River and Piccadilly Pans. This month was no different with the pride
mostly been seen in this general area.

Noteworthy sightings:
• From the 1st to the 3rd, the pride fed on a wildebeest kill north of Fred’s Tree.
• On the 5th, the largest of the three females was seen at Mlowathi Dam Crossing, while the
other two females and three cubs were in the Mlowathi River north of Lower Mlowathi
Crossing.
• The three lionesses were with one Ndhzenga male at Mlowathi Dam on the 6th.
• Two of the lionesses returned to the cubs south of Lower Mlowathi Crossing the next day.
They were joined by the third lioness on the 8th and remained in this area until the 10th.
• Two lionesses and the cubs were at Manyeleti Crossing on the 11th.
• On the 14th, one lioness was with a Ndhzenga male to the north of Elephant Rock.
• The three cubs were south of Lower Mlowathi Crossing on the morning of the 22nd. They were
joined by the three lionesses and the two Ndhzenga males that afternoon and remained in
that area until the 23rd.
• On the 24th, the three lionesses were seen with the Ndhzenga males in the Sand River in front
of MalaMala Camp while the cubs remained in the area they had been in previous days.
• On the morning of the 25th, the three cubs were alone east of the Causeway, by the afternoon,
the adults and Ndhzenga males collected them, and all the lions rested at the Broken Dam.
• On the 26th, two lionesses with the cubs were south of Plank’s Pan. The other lioness was seen
mating with one of the Ndhzenga males north of Lower Mlowathi Crossing.
• On the 29th, one lioness was at Lower Mlowathi Crossing, while the rest of the pride was at
Fred’s Tree.
• The whole pride and one Ndhzenga male were at the Mlowathi Spot on the 31st. Reply