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The Matimba coalition
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I think they are back together. On safari live brent mentioned that they had the matimbas around the northern djuma and the nkuhuma pride as a result moved to the south of djuma.
From Tintswalo Safari Lodge Safari update
On the afternoon of the 28th , we relocated on the Ntsuntsu male Leopard at Sable bridge . The Mbiri pride was found on catwalk west . The rest of the afternoon produced some great general game sightings . Yesterday morning , the Mbiri pride were found west of Sable bridge . Map of manyeleti  *This image is copyright of its original author Green square: Matimba malesRed square: Birminghan.b Blue square: Selati male The Matimba male Lions were heard roaring around Helens road . In the afternoon , we found the 4 Birmingham male Lions close to pungwe camp . After the death of the one Selati male , it seems they sense an opportunity . The talamati pride were found further east , closer to Buffelshoek camp . The Mbiri pride were relocated close to Sable bridge . This morning , we got the update that there was skirmish in the south . The Selatí male was with the talamati pride , but sporting some war scars . The Birmingham males tracks were found close to Buffelshoek camp . The 2 Sabie bridge sub - adults female Leopards were found close to Tintswalo pump house . Rhulani was found on Piva path . One of the young male Leopards was also found on Ngala loop 
Where Have the Matimba Males Gone?: by James Tyrrell.
September 2nd, 2015 was the day on which the first sighting of a Matimba male lion was officially recorded on Londolozi soil. Although from their tracks we knew they’d been here before, it was only that night that fellow guide Dave Strachan and I were lucky enough to catch our first glimpse of the Hairy Bellied Matimba, walking across a clearing not too far from camp, moments before he took down an adult impala ewe. Only a few days later, both males were seen together for the first time, found feeding a buffalo kill they had made near the Sand River. Over the course of the next year these two males, split off from an original coalition of 6, would establish themselves on Londolozi soil, mating with the resident Tsalala pride and fathering the five cubs we currently see with the two lionesses. After the westward departure of the Majingilane in 2015, it took the Matimba males getting chased out of their northern territory by the Birmingham males to get them down into our area, which brought relative peace after a turbulent year of male lion activity. The Styx, Fourways and Matshipiri males had all attempted to stake a claim, but it was the arrival of the much larger Matimba pair that seemed to settle the issue. A hyena gives on of the Matimba males a wide berth. Photograph by Kevin Power  *This image is copyright of its original author So what has happened now? The Matimba males have vanished from the area, and the last reports we had were of them up near Orpen Gate in the Kruger Park. That’s around 50km away, which may not seem like a particularly big distance, but for a territorial lion it’s pretty far! The full Matimba coalition originated from the area, so it is certainly possible that the Londolozi pair have tried to reconnect with their original group. Why this might be so is anyone’s guess, which is why lion dynamics are so fascinating; the unknown adds to the intrigue. The large circle represents the Matimba males’ territory on Londolozi, the smaller one is roughly near where the last reports of them being seen was.  *This image is copyright of its original author There was recent interaction between the Matimba males and Mhangeni Breakaway prides in the eastern sector of Londolozi, which we suspected could be due to the fact that those lionesses had been spending quite a bit of time mating with the Matshipiri coalition. That was on January 8th, and since then, the Matimba’s movements have been somewhat erratic. From moving deep into the south, far beyond Londolozi’s borders, they then turned back north, continuing right through Londolozi and disappearing up into the Manyelethi reserve from whence they originated. Not stopping there, they pressed on into the Kruger Park, and reports were that they were seen around the Orpen Gate area around the 21st February. Then on the 24th they were reportedly back in the northern Sabi Sands, vocalising at the Birmingham coalition, the males that had ousted them from the area. The lighter maned Matimba male trots in to investigate a Mhangeni Breakaway lioness. Photograph by James Tyrrell  *This image is copyright of its original author Over the last few days the Mhangeni Breakaway females have been spending time with the Matshipiri males, and a number of mating pairs have been formed. The Matshipiri males have been spending a lot more time on Londolozi soil than they previously have, but what does this mean for the two Matimba males? Have they simply headed off to find their old coalition? Were they chased by the Matimba males? It seems conjecture is the only thing we can be sure of… 
What a story it would be if they find their lonesome brother in the north. Hope they find him and come back to Londolozi. The reports about them are getting less and less as they move away from that region.
Credits to Darren Donovan - Tintswalo.
Matimba males seen there on March 3rd.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
GHOSTS OF OUR PAST!
The last 2 weeks have been incredibly interesting in the Manyeleti, especially with regards to the Lion dynamics on the reserve. The last 2 weeks has seen the return of the original bad boys of the Manyeleti….. the 2 southern Matimba’s have returned to their old stomping grounds. This naturally has had a profound effect on the movement of the local Lion prides, and of course the Thanda impi male Lions, who now rule the area. On the 19th of February, we were very surprised when we located an old male Lion with a Buffalo kill on Xiskankanka road. We identified him as the hairy belly Matimba male. The scary part of it all was that he was probably only a few kilometers from where the Mbiri pride had their cubs. Luckily, the Thanda impi’s had thus far been pretty good pride males, and were concentrating their activities around the area.  *This image is copyright of its original author We were very surprised by the sudden arrival of the hairy belly Matimba male Lion. Despite his age, he still looks in very good condition. ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/200sec  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author At first, it was quiet and it seemed that the Matimba’s had moved on. The Skorro Thanda impi male was roaring around the airstrip, obviously he had become aware of a threat, but nothing came back at him. From what I can remember of the Matimba’s, not responding would be totally out of character, so they must have moved on. And then the roaring from the Matimba’s started. They had stealthily moved towards the Wild dog dam area, even closer than before. These were warriors with experience! The Thanda Impi’s had their back turned, and were feeding on a Buffalo to the north on Vulture pan road. The Mbiri pride were wide open, and there for the taking. Then our worst dreams came to pass, the matimba’s came past the lodge, moving north and violently roaring as they went. They were moving straight to the Mbiri pride at Zebra pan. We tracked the matimba’s as far as we could, but unfortunately we lost the tracks in the thick grass. The Mbiri Lionesses however, are also experienced, and they had moved their cubs further north to Catwalk west, a thicker and deeper drainage line, with more place to hide. At this point, Skorro male came to his senses and immediately joined the Mbiri pride, and for several days wouldn’t leave the pride.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author This seems to have done the trick, and the Matimba males moved back to the south and were located a few days ago on Scratches plains. Are they just listening? Or have they discovered that the Nharhu pride is currently moving without any males? These seasoned warriors have done this dance before, and i’m sure they know what they are doing. A famous quote by Leo Tolstoy puts it perfectly into perspective ” The two most powerful warriors are patience and time”. On the other hand, Skorro Thanda Impi has successfully managed to put a barrier between the Matimba’s and the Mbiri pride. And the Mbiri’s themselves wisely created the necessary distance, not allowing themselves to be caught. The only casualties in this current drama we believe are the 3 youngest Mbiri cubs, that were found only a couple of weeks ago, close to Zebra pan and were still unable to walk. The mother has since been seen with the pride, and no cubs to show. Hopefully she managed to get them out in time  *This image is copyright of its original author Skorro sticking very close to the Mbiri pride.ISO 500, f7.1, 1/640sec *This image is copyright of its original author Sizanani male has joined Skorro, but has been in a fight, and has bite marks on his back. ISO 3200, f4, 1/50sec *This image is copyright of its original author A map showing the movements of the 3 Lion groups. Red shows the Matimba movements. Blue shows the Thanda Impi movements. Green shows the Mbiri movementsIts going to interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks. Text and photography by Darren Donovan 
A male lion charges to a clan of unsuspecting hyena, luckily all the hyena managed to escape unharmed. Londolozi Game Reserve
Credits to Lucien Beaumont HB  *This image is copyright of its original author
the Northern Matimba is further north from Tintswalo where Hairy Belly and Ginger were seen.
I wish they meet each other and stay together. Junior and his buddy is also around there. please let us know about them
Young matimba males
These pics were taken when they were at Ngala in 2010. Photos Credits to Kristin  *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  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
From: Umlani Bush Camp ( Timbavati ): After hearing a lion roaring for the better part of the evening we decided to go out and see who was making all the noise and came across this huge male, he is one of the well known males known as the MATIMBA males that have held territory way to the south of our reserve. Umlani Bush Camp has said that this is the Northern Matimba, not Ginger or Hairy Belly
Northern Matimba  *This image is copyright of its original author Note: Umlani Bushcamp They have The 2 sumatra males that have been hanging around a lot the last few weeks as well as 2 other younger males 
Update on the last Northern Matimba.
From Umlani Bush Camp, Umlani Captured in Photos- March 2017 by Greg McCall-Peat: "Lions have been seen on almost a daily basis this month, with all our regulars and even a surprise visit from a huge male that has moved all the way up from one of the other private reserves bordering the Timbavati, he has 2 brothers used to hold territory even further south so time will tell if this powerful coalition (known as the Matimba males) with setup roots here. One evening we found the lone Matimba male roaring into the night, its a brave move to announce his presence in a new area, perhaps he was testing the area or even calling to his brother we will have to see how this plays out."  *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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