Meet some of the Stars

Tingana

Tingana is a male leopard, estimated to have been born in June of 2006. His name means ‘shy’, given his initial skittish behaviour around the game drive and filming vehicles. He has a large territory stretching across most of Arathusa and Djuma and is suspected to be the father of many different cubs in the area. He can be identified by his large size.

Nkuhuma Lions

The Nkuhuma pride of lions have earned a reputation as being survivors. “Nkuhuma” means Brown Ivory in Shangaan; the pride was given the name by  the Djuma rangers and trackers who first found them under a Brown Ivory tree on Djuma near Jordaans dam.

Birmingham Boys

The Birmingham Boys were first seen at Djuma in December 2014 although spent almost a year gathering their strength on the fringes of the Matimba coalition’s territory. During the last half of 2015 they successfully drove off this coalition and today are proudly dominant over the Styx and Nkuhuma prides with the cubs that will secure their bloodlines.

Oloololo Lions

The Oloololo pride are the resident lions around the WildEarth Mara camp. Little is known about their origins, but it is believed seven lionesses from the famous Marsh pride broke away and crossed the Mara river, west, in 2014. These lionesses managed to push the Kitchwe Tembo pride into the Mara North conservancy. At the moment the pride consists of four adult lionesses and 10 cubs all aged between two and six months old.

Scarface and the Musketeers

Scarface male lion is one of the most famous and recognisable cats in Africa. He along with his three brothers Hunter, Morani and Sikio made up the infamous Musketeer coalition. In 2012 Scarface sustained a severe injury to his right eyelid when he and the other Musketeers made a play at a territorial takeover. The four males were successful and then took dominance over the famous Marsh pride. Just over a year later the impressive male found himself on the pointy end of a Maasai spear as he attempted to bring down domesticated cattle. Now Scar can be found ruling over the Paradise pride and main crossing points along the Mara river.

Avoca males

The Avoca males hail from the south western sector of the Timbavati. They are the new lion coalition on the Djuma block. Comprising 3 young adults, this coalition arrived relatively unchallenged. It seems the Birmingham Boy coalition has headed south for the pride lands of the Sand River. This has left the northern section of the Sabi Sand ripe for the taking – a situation the Avoca males are taking full advantage of.

Hukumuri male leopard

The origins of Hukumuri are shrouded in mystery. A case of mistaken identity gave this leopard his name. We think his story begins at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park, an astounding 200 kilometers away from where he has decided to set up a territory in the northern Sabi Sand. The young male in his prime is believed to be approximately 4-5 years old. Fighting fit and with a face for radio, Hukumuri has already mated with various females in the northern Sabi Sand. His success as a slayer of warthogs is currently unchallenged and he seems set to be the next King of Djuma.

Owino pride

A small but successful pride, the Owinos are an offshoot of the gorgeous Sausage Tree Pride. So far they have been successful in raising their three cubs, two older lionesses and their younger male cousin. Outside of the migration the lions hunt what they can to satiate growing cub appetites.

Xidulu female leopard

Xidulu is the newest and most energetic of the female leopards to arrive in the northern Sabi Sand. Daughter of the Ingrid Dam female, this beautiful leopardess originated in Londolozi and has set up in the central and western parts of Djuma. Xidulu is constantly on the move, always curious and forever on the lookout for a potential snack. Her bright blue-ish eyes, 5:5 spot pattern and propensity for lying on top of termite mounds make her a breeze to identify.

Sausage Tree pride

The Sausage Tree Pride, affectionately known as “the Sausages”, is comprised of five adult lionesses and two young males. Calling the central reaches of the Mara Triangle their home, the lions have become expert buffalo hunters when the bounty of the Great Migration is out of town. Recently a large unknown male lion has joined the pride, his strange tolerance of the younger males could result in the formation of a new coalition.

Kakenya female cheetah

Kakenya is the epitome of poise and grace as she traverses the vast open plains of the Mara Triangle Conservancy. Her name means “early morning” in Maasai and no other name could describe her beauty as sweetly. After raising 4 cubs successfully to independence at the start of 2016, she attempted to equal this impressive feat in 2018. Sadly, her newest litter of 5 has not made it. Despite this, Kakenya survives as a formidable huntress and hopefully soon again, a successful mother.

North Clan of hyena

The 77 hyenas of the North Clan is a natural force to be reckoned with. The clan continues to prosper on the plains of the Mara Triangle Conservancy. The current matriarch, Waffles, is nearing the end of her reign as queen of the clan. Her daughter Soup is set to take the throne next – but there is another potential contender, Sauer. Both females are big, burly and only want the best for their cubs. The North Clan den is an age old termite mound that serves as the perfect training ground for future generations.