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Lions of Timbavati
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Tanda Tula update
If the leopards were good, the lions were even better! One of my guests saw 50 different lions during her stay here, and we didn’t even go and see all the lions on offer! We did venture out west on two occasions to enjoy sightings of the Giraffe Pride, with there being 21 and then 19 members present. On the first occasion, we had no sooner pulled out and stopped for drinks where the growls of fighting lions hit our ears, but before we could even think about heading there, the fighting had stopped as the pride had already devoured their way through an impala kill in a matter of minutes! The lioness with the three new cubs has started bringing them into the concession, but no one has seen them yet – only their tracks. Fortunately, the Sark Breakaways were a little better with showing off their cubs, and I eventually got to see the four little ones (around four months old already). The pride continued to remain in the central and western areas, although as the week drew to a close, the Giraffe Pride (without the Hercules male) ventured into Sark territory! On the subject of cubs, it appears as though the River Pride have also had some new cubs; from the reports, there are three new faces. The bush grapevine alluded to one of the cubs being very light in colour, but I am hesitant to say that it could be a white lion until we see some proof. Despite having the cubs some distance north of our concession, the week ended with three lionesses and two Vuyela males spending the day near Tanda Tula. Still, they didn’t come quite as close as one of the Vuyela males and the youngest River Pride lioness that spent three days mating in the vicinity of camp – his roars woke us up one morning, and when we found them at the entrance to the camp, we understood why they were so loud! Add to this a sighting of 17 members of the Mayambula Pride hunting in the east, and you cannot have a bad week of lion viewing. The next morning there was evidence of a successful hunt on our eastern boundary, but with three of the Vuyela males in the area sniffing around, it was no surprise that the Mayambulas had moved further east. A few days later, a couple of members were found finishing off another zebra kill near our southern boundary, but this time it was two males (likely Birmingham Breakaways) that had chased them off the kill. Only Steven found one member of the pride after that.  *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
 (09-27-2023, 11:44 AM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update Wow, what an awesome trip that guest had, 50 different lions in one trip. I think we can certainly consider the Giraffe Pride a super pride, they are huge. I am not sure, but I don't believe the Kambulas even had more than 19.  (09-27-2023, 07:48 PM)BA0701 Wrote:(09-27-2023, 11:44 AM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update Well at one point the kambula pride had 6 adult females 6 young males 6 or 7 young females plus two dominant males and they definitely had lost some members before so they got to the number just didn’t stay there and a lot of bad things happened so yeah 
The wounded Birmingham pride lioness Breakaway was seen at a meal along with the pride and with a full belly, I think she was accepted back. With luck you will recover soon
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Masungulo Males
Credits:@robertprehnphotography / Pondoro_game_lodge  *This image is copyright of its original author
Hercules Male
Credits: Ziggi Hugo  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (10-03-2023, 08:50 AM)Gavskrr Wrote: Masungulo MalesGreat to see this coalition doing well
Monwana pride visited us in Timbavati several times this last 5 weeks. Mapoza was around and in good condition.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2505215453019085&set=pcb.2505217269685570 Avoca and Guernsey male. Giraffe and Limpy Monwana male. Ross male and some Birmingham lionesses and 2 lionesses we did not id, with Giraffe male at a dam. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2505220429685254&set=pcb.2505221686351795 Giraffe pride also showed up 2 or 3 times and we were fortunate to meet some new cubs. This was a month ago. 19 Lions visited us tonight but no pics yet. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2505222663018364&set=pcb.2505224083018222  
Awww, new little cubs for Hercules. They won't have it as easy as their siblings, unfortunately. I don't know if Hercules can defend the pride for another 2 years in order for this batch of youngsters to having a fighting chance. Wonder how long he can hang on. At least 10 or so older cubs are well over the 2 year mark now, so that generation is looking brighter to make it to independence.
We've all seen the sad endings to those litters born at the end of their sires' reign time and time again, so we'll just have to hope for sheer good luck happening, plus the will/savviness of their mom in keeping them alive. Most mothers cannot keep their youngsters alive on their own without the protection of the males, but there are a minority that seem to be 'super' moms.
Tanda Tula update
On the lion front, we got to enjoy some good moments with the Giraffe Pride when 18 of the pride members were found in the south-west on the first rainy day. Despite the rain, we managed a great sighting as the pride got up to hunt in ideal conditions. A couple of sunny days earlier, the pride had been quite far east in their territory, but upon following up the next morning, we found nine members of the Sark Breakaways in the area instead! The River Pride females visited only once before returning north (no doubt drawn back to the cubs, which have “sadly” been confirmed to be only tawny cubs and not one white cub as previously reported). The Vuyela males remained very active around Tanda Tula Safari Camp and could be heard roaring most nights, if not on the drive, then at least from our Safari Suites. Towards the end of the week, the scar-eyed male picked up a nasty set of wounds on his rump, and the other dark-maned male got a good puncture wound on his lip. From the sounds of their roars, they spent the night sleeping off fat bellies close to camp and only moved off in the morning, so I am not sure who they had an altercation with. This leads me to believe they fought with one another! There were roars to the south a few times during the week, which could possibly be from the Birmingham Breakaways; time will tell if they decide to make a push for Vuyela territory. There were no signs of the Mayambula pride this week.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Is there not a Guide, Ranger, Tourist, person, anyone; Any of us can pay to go find TYM/YBM? I mean there gotta be someone willing to go look for them for a few bucks? I know in the Mara a certain someone (and other examples) would pay to have certain guides/people look for Spearboy, drop him a carcus to feed on. Someone over there would do this; anybody here possibly want to get this rolling?
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