The Lions of Royal Malewane: Tales of Majesty and Mystery

The Prides of Royal Malewane

In the heart of the African wilderness, where untamed beauty meets the rhythms of nature, the lions of Royal Malewane have carved out their kingdoms. Their stories – marked by rise and fall, togetherness and solitude – are woven into the very fabric of this magnificent landscape.

The history of the lions of Royal Malewane begins soon after the fences separating the reserve from Kruger National Park came down. The lioness, who became known as the Black Dam female, moved across with her three cubs (two males and a female). Thus, a family of four were our first lions.
The two males grew up – and grew very large indeed. One was killed in 2020, and you can now see his massive skull in the Timbavati Museum. To date, he is the third-largest lion ever recorded in the area.

As a guest at Royal Malewane, you have the extraordinary privilege of witnessing the fascinating and sometimes ruthless dynamics of lion prides up close. Join us as we reveal the intriguing world of the Greater Kruger’s apex predators and uncover why observing their interactions is one of the most captivating wildlife experiences you could hope to have.

Monwana Pride

For over three decades, the Monwana Pride has held territory in the northern reaches of the reserve. This formidable pride boasts 19 individuals and was safeguarded by the renowned Mapoza, a male who held his own despite being under intense pressure from surrounding coalitions of males.

The Monwana Pride has lost one juvenile to the Black Dam males. Two lionesses and one adult male from the pride also split off and have now settled on the Makeppies property in the far north of the reserve. They had four cubs that the Black Dam males tried unsuccessfully to kill. This new breakaway from the Monwana Pride has now been called the Makeppies Pride.

The Monwana Pride is now down to 13 or 14 members, and there has been no sign of Mapoza for some time now.

Avoca Pride

Over the past two years, the beautiful Avoca females have established their territory around Malewane Lodge and Farmstead. They have welcomed a new generation of cubs fathered by the Black Dam Coalition.

Guernsey Male and Guernsey Pride

The Guernsey Pride is a relatively new presence in the reserve and consists of three females protected by the Black Dam Coalition after the Guernsey male was recently killed by the Mbiri Males on Ngala Game Reserve.

Black Dam Coalition

Originating in the Black Dam Pride, these four males, born on Thornybush Reserve, made their way to Royal Malewane in 2021. Today, they protect both the Avoca and Guernsey Prides, and their powerful, steadfast presence promises a secure future for these lionesses and their cubs.

The Black Dam males now dominate the majority of the game reserve and have made two attempts to kill all the cubs belonging to other males on the reserve.

Mapoza

Mapoza’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience. Born into the Giraffe Pride, far from Royal Malewane, his life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a severe injury during a giraffe hunt. This brave lion endured a challenging recovery, marked by traumatic glaucoma in one eye, and eventually found his rightful place in the heart of our territory.

Mapoza has retreated into the Timbavati Game Reserve and no longer defends the Monwana Pride.

Ecological Significance

The lions of Royal Malewane are much more than iconic apex predators; they are also vital to the health of the Greater Kruger ecosystem. They play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance within this wild environment, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and making Royal Malewane a thriving habitat for all species.

The Importance of an Open System

Royal Malewane’s unique position, free from fences between the reserve and Kruger National Park, allows lions to move at will. This facilitates dispersal, genetic diversity and natural behaviour patterns. The absence of barriers also helps to foster a harmonious coexistence between the lions of Royal Malewane and the broader wilderness.

Lion Dynamics Over Time

The dynamics of lion prides at Royal Malewane have evolved over the years. Previously dominated by the Monwana and Black Dam prides, the reserve now hosts a more diverse lion population. The arrival of the Avoca Pride and the Black Dam Coalition has added complexity and intrigue to this ever-changing story.

Notable Lion Sightings

While the tales of Royal Malewane’s lions continue to unfold, recent sightings have provided unique insights. One such occasion involved an Avoca lioness at a buffalo carcass with two small cubs, a male and a female. Bringing the cubs to the kill site was risky, as other hostile lions could also be attracted by the chance of a meal. Unfortunately, the risk did not pay off; only the female cub survived.

The mysteries of the wild are woven from moments of triumph and tragedy, reminding us that life is fragile and often hangs in the balance. The most notable lion sightings recently have involved the Black Dam males attacking the Monwana Pride and killing the youngest member.

On a separate occasion, they marched to the northern parts of the reserve and attempted to kill the Makeppies Pride cubs. The Makeppies males ran, and the females managed to distract the Black Dam males and lure them away from their cubs.

The Circle of Life

The lions of Royal Malewane are enigmatic storytellers, shaping the narratives of this untamed land. Their resilience, adaptability, and complex social structures offer guests awe-inspiring glimpses into the circle of life in the wild. As you embark on your safari adventure, keep an eye out for these majestic creatures. Every lion sighting is an encounter with the wild soul of Africa, etched into the history of Royal Malewane.

Fascinating Lion Research taking place in The Kruger National Park

In partnership with the Lion Recovery Fun and South African National Parks (SANParks), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is using lion whisker patterns to count and identify lions in the Kruger Park. Their aim is to document the number of lions inside the park for conservation purposes. Read Julia Evans’ article in The Daily Maverick