Nomadic lion returns to Africa on Foot with a pride of 3 females

Remember when we reported seeing a lone male lion, wandering around the Klaserie, testing the waters and peering warily through the brush? He was said to belong to a pride in the Balule, but when we saw him he was alone. Well, now he is back, and this time he has 3 lionesses in tow! Yesterday morning, this nomadic lion was spotted with one large lioness and two younger lionesses – skittishly streaking through the bush and coming to rest in dense bush. Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp guests were on game drive, and glimpsed these cats, creating a tangible sense of excitement in the air. But the best was yet to come…

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

After a night filled with calling lions, our morning game drive was bound to be off to a great start. Guides and trackers searched the ground, picking up tracks and signs of lions on the move during the night. Soon, this pride was located – immediately, they were unfamiliar, as they are not a frequently seen pride – but soon enough, the details were picked up and it was established that the one young male was the same male spotted a little while back. A large lion, strong and in good condition, but with minimal growth on his mane. He had 3 lionesses with him – one adult and two younger females.

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

It turned into a brilliant sighting as we watched the lions lazily resting in the bush, and then rising and moving to Swart Dam to drink from the mirror-like water. The early morning lighting was fantastic, and we got to enjoy the watching each of the 4 individuals settling down for a while.

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Eventually this small pride moved through the vegetation and disappeared. We have since checked back in the archives and consulted with passionate Kruger lion followers, and it seems this foursome is the same group that arrived on our turf in January this year. So, it seems they have come and gone a few times, inspecting the area, and assessing the territory before making a decision to stay. Will they hang around this time? Only time will tell, but if this morning’s tracks are anything to go by, two big males seem to have headed in the same direction as we saw the pride of 4 going…

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo

Last week, those two young male lions we had calling and roaring right on the Africa on Foot access road have since been identified as the two younger Sumatra males, which come from northern Timbavati. Could this morning’s tracks belong to the Mapoza males? And where have these Sumatra males gone? We are excited to see what this afternoon’s game drive might hold with all this epic lion activity taking place in the area.

Nomadic pride from Balule at Africa on Foot and nThambo