Lions of Arathusa
Lions are one of Africa’s most recognisable animals, and for good reason. More than any other animal in the African wilderness, these mighty cats signify courage, strength, and power – earning their reputation as an apex predator.
Although they spend up to 20 hours of the day sleeping or resting (making them the laziest of the big cats), what they demonstrate in the remaining waking hours more than makes up for the lethargy. From playing, to mothering, to grooming, to hunting, killing and devouring – this is an animal species with many different ‘faces’.
We are lucky to have multiple lion prides roaming our traversing area, and you are sure to spot them during your stay here with us.
Nkuhuma Prides
‘Nkuhuma’ is the Shangaan name for a brown ivory tree.
The Nkuhumas have broken into three distinct prides, as follows.
Nkuhuma Pride 1 (9 members)
Chela – Born 2013; sired by The Matimba Males
Purple-eyed Lioness – Born March/April 2012; sired by the Matimba Males
Son of the Ridge-nosed Lioness – Born May 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Amber-eyed son – Born July 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Amber-eyed daughter 1 – Born July 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Amber-eyed daughter 2 – Born July 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Purple-eyed Lioness son 1 – Born August 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Purple-eyed Lioness son 2 – Born August 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Chela son – Born December 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Nkuhuma Pride 2 (2 members)
Amber-eyed Lioness – Born December 2012; sired by the Matimba Males
Ridge-nosed Lioness – Born December 2012; sired by the Matimba Males
Nkuhuma Pride 3 (3 members)
Pale-eyed Lioness – Born May 2016; sired by the Birmingham Males. Daughter of the Purple-eyed Lioness, and mother of 2 cubs born in late April 2021
Tattered-eared Lioness – Born May/June 2021; sired by the Birmingham Males. Daughter of the late oldest lioness Nala, and mother of the youngest two cubs born May 2021
Ridge-nosed daughter – Born July 2016; sired by the Birmingham Males. Mother of three oldest cubs born in April 2021
Talamati Prides
‘Talamati’ means ‘lots of water’.
The Talamati pride has been split into two distinct prides, as follows.
Talamati Main Pride (7 members)
Blue-eyed/Silver-eyed Lioness – Born approximately 2007/2008; unknown sire
4 Lionesses – Born in late 2018/early 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Two Young Adult males – Born in late 2018/early 2019; sired by the Avoca Males
Talamati Breakaway Pride + The S8 Male (9 members)
Two Lionesses – Born around 2014; sired by the Selati Males
One Lioness – Born around 2012; unknown sire
Five Cubs – Born around January 2022; sired by the S8 Male
S8 Male – Born around 2014
Torchwood Pride
The Torchwood Pride is named after a tree otherwise known as a ‘Green Thorn’
Members of the Torchwood Pride have been viewed on Arathusa’s concession.
The pride is split up between Arathusa and the Kruger National Park so it is difficult to know the structure of the pride.
Torchwood Pride (26 members)
7 Adult Lionesses – Age unknown
6 Adult Lionesses – Born approximately 2016
7 Cubs – Born approximately 2019
4 Young Cubs – Born approximately beginning 2022
2 Kruger Males – Age unknown
Northern Avoca Males
The Northern Avoca Males originate from the Timbavati Game Reserve.
The coalition consists of three male lions.
Northern Avoca Males (3 members)
Blondie & Mohawk – Born in 2013; pride males of the Nkuhuma Pride
Dark Mane – Born in 2013; spends time with the Talamati pride but is more of a loner
