The New Year and the new decade has started off in the very best way possible - with signs of new life, specifically some new additions to our population of Kalahari lions. Guides and trackers have been closely monitoring the area we know as Deception Valley for any sign of the lactating lioness that has been constantly disappearing into the surrounding mountains. On New Year’s Day itself, very fresh tracks were again seen heading back into the valley. Excitingly, for the first time, we also found tracks of three new-born cubs.

Although these cubs have yet to be seen, we don’t think it will be too long now. Only days after this discovery, members of our nature conservation team, who were out monitoring waterholes, encountered two young lionesses being closely pursued by the dominant black-maned male in the area. Before long, they witnessed these young lionesses mating with him for the first time, as they had clearly come into their first oestrus cycle. With hopes of successful mating, we could expect even more lion cubs in the next three months here at Tswalu.