The New Year has rung in at Nambiti Hills, and we’re anticipating lots of excitement in 2018.
If you have been following the story of our two adolescent male lions, born from the Northern Lioness, you will know that they entered the world in May 2015.
Being the offspring of one of the Black Mane Brothers, we knew they would grow into magnificent adults.
For the last two and a half years, we have watched them keenly as the spotted fur markings on their coats faded, and their manes slowly came into fruition.
Male lions generally reach their sexual maturity at about 3 years old, which is why this year is sure to be one of great contests between cats on the Reserve.
Recently, the mother of the two young lions has been spotted with one of the Black Mane Brothers, which could signal that she is ready to have more cubs and leave our young males to their own devices.
When young males are kicked out of a territory, they generally roam a no-cats-land, until such time as they wander into terrain occupied by another cat.
As a result of the fact that the Black Mane Brothers have no real competition, their territory is far larger than those normally occupied by other lion.
This means our young males are going to have a close encounter with the Black Mane Brothers sooner than later, with an expected battle to erupt in the months leading up to their 3rd birthday in May.
If you’re going to be our Guest in 2018, expect a few rumbles in the night.
A Year at Nambiti Hills
At Nambiti Hills, we have had an eventful year. We have seen many new faces, who’ve arrived as Guests, and have left as family.
We have had tremendous rains, seeing our river banks burst; as well as a fire, which saw the entire community on the Reserve come together in an effort to protect it.
There was snow on the Drakensberg Mountains in November, which made for unusually icy Game Drives in the summertime.
