The Growing Southern Pride of Lion Sands

Words by Field Guide Lucia Prinsloo | Images by Gino Spano

Image Gijima male by Ruvan Grobler

For millennia the image of the male lion has been used to symbolize great strength, nobility, courage and victory. In art, literature, and film they’re portrayed as valiant and noble, a creature who is feared by all and afraid of none.

Often, it’s this depiction of a lion we have in mind when booking a safari. We wish to experience, face to face, the majesty of this icon. And once we do, it’s easy to understand why this animal has been appointed ‘The King of Beasts’.

An image we don't see too often in heraldry or mascots, however, is that of the lioness. Personally, it was only when I started guiding that the true beauty of the African lioness was revealed to me. I started witnessing actions and emotions I'd never thought to associate with lions. One such pride that allowed me to experience lions as they are, and not how I had seen them depicted, was the Southern Pride.

The Southern Pride

Over the past three years, guests and guides at Lion Sands have been able to experience the resurrection of the Southern Pride, thanks to the famed Southern Pride Lioness. Left prideless at the age of three, she overcame the odds and successfully raised two daughters to adulthood. Now, we have the privilege of watching them raise her second litter together, as a powerful and loving unit.

For months we watched the lioness' growing belly with anticipation, carefully monitoring her movements while she established a place to den her cubs when they arrived. Where she would den was the topic dominating most of the conversation between guides and trackers during this time, but when for weeks we consistently found her walking in and around a wide spreading rocky outcrop adorned with marula trees, rock figs and euphorbias, we were certain that Tamba rocks would be her den. It is, after all, where she herself was raised.

Then we waited. In the weeks leading up to the birth, we found the Southern Pride almost every day, and were treated to sightings of the stoic mother slowly padding along the muddy road whilst her daughters frolicked about her, stalking and tackling each other into the ground before bounding forward to catch up to their matriarch. Eventually, sightings of the three became that of two, and we knew the eldest lioness had left to give birth.

First sighting of lion cubs

Months had passed when one morning, Field Guide Gus and Tracker Noel, along with their guests, were watching all three of the Southern Pride lionesses at a watering hole near Tamba rocks. Eventually they stood up and started making their way in the direction of the supposed den site. Everyone in the vehicle started itching with excitement, could they be the first to see the cubs? As they followed the Pride through the long grass, the eldest lioness began to contact call, a soft, deep, short sound that comes deep from within the lion's chest and means one thing in a situation like this - 'mom's home'.

With sheer delight everyone on the vehicle witnessed as three tiny, spotty little lions made their way clumsily out of their hiding place. With paws almost too big for their bodies they ran up to their mother, embracing her with tail flicks and head rubs.

Growing up

Since that evening, sightings of the cubs with have been near constant. Their upbringing is in stark contrast to that of their older sisters, who only had their mother to keep them company. This new generation has the benefit of several adult playmates, including the two Gijima males.

When we find them, they're often vigorously biting their older sisters tail tufts, or stalking their fathers until a low growl sends them running to their mother. Because of them, we're able to show guests at Lion Sands a glimpse of the softer, playful, often comical nature of lions.

A sighting I was privileged enough to have with the lionesses and the cubs, sent peals of laughter throughout our vehicle as the cubs valiantly tried climbing a tree stump, with little success, but not for a lack of trying. Just as one nearly reached the tip, the others grabbed its tail and yanked it down, releasing a little hiss from the fallen cub. At this, their mother decided they'd had enough play time and walked over to start grooming them. A playful affair became a tender one as the Southern Pride lioness lovingly licked her cubs and they settled down to suckle.

Keep an eye on our Lion Sands Instagram or our YouTube Safari Channel for more updates on this incredible pride and our other wildlife.

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