Nsemani Lion Pride
Senior Mbiri, a son of the Northern Matimbas, was the older brother of the renowned Mbiri duo, Zigzag and Shaka. Born in 2011, his journey took a challenging turn when he lost his brother and found himself unwelcome in his pride. Determined to carve out his own destiny, he ventured into the wild and eventually encountered the Rockfig male.
The Rockfig male, born in early 2009, was sired by the three legendary Ross males. While little is known about his nomadic years, he was occasionally sighted in the Timbavati. However, he rose to prominence in 2017 when he was seen alongside a legendary figure—the last surviving Northern Matimba, one of the fathers of Senior Mbiri. This partnership would prove to be historic.
Together, Senior Mbiri and the Rockfig male established the Nsemani coalition, seizing control of the Nsemani Lion Pride to the west of Satara Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. Their reign began in late 2017, and they remained the dominant males of the pride until their deaths around mid-2023. Their leadership exemplified the power and resilience required to thrive in the wild.
One of their sons, known as Blonde Nsemani, later joined forces with two young Ngotso South males, forming a new coalition just north of Satara Rest Camp. Meanwhile, following the passing of Senior Mbiri and Rockfig, Casper the White Lion and his three Shishangaan brothers emerged as the new rulers of the Nsemani pride. However, their reign was short-lived, lasting only a few months before they abandoned the pride and returned to the Satara Pride when the two aging Nkaya Pan males arrived.
Of the two Nkaya Pan males, one—nicknamed "Cut Nose"—soon disappeared, likely succumbing to the harsh realities of the wild. This left his brother as the sole dominant male of the Nsemani Pride. Under his leadership, the pride flourished, but by the end of 2024, he was seen in a deteriorating state. The stage is now set for younger males to challenge for dominance and secure the future of the Nsemani Pride.
This ever-shifting dynamic of power and survival reflects the eternal cycle of life in the wild, where strength, strategy, and fate dictate the rise and fall of rulers in the lion kingdom.
Casper The White Lion And Brothers have Taken Over The Nsemani Lion Pride
We can now confirm that Casper The White Lion and his Three Shish Brothers—Casanova, Footloose, and Mfowethu—have taken over the Nsemani Lion Pride to the west of Satara Rest Camp in Kruger National Park.
The takeover apparently happened without a fight, as the two original Nsemani Pride males, Rockfig and Senior Mbiri, are very old and probably dead by now.
The only other resistance could come from the two nomadic Nkaya males or from the Nsemani sub-adults, the Sons of Rockfig and Senior Mbiri.
We will report on any further developments.
The Younger Generation Of The Nsemani Lion Pride
Watch the spectacular new Young Generation of the Nsemani Lion Pride bring traffic to a standstill as they cross the bridge over the Nsemani Dam wall. The pride of lionesses and a young male, as well as a sub-adult male, were clearly out on a hunt looking for something to fill their bellies. This beautiful pride is there for Casper, the White Lion, and his Shish Brothers for the taking.
The Nsemani Lion Pride Males - Senior Mbiri Male And Rockfig/Avoca Male
Lions in the Mist: Two beautiful Lion Brothers casually stroll down the road towards me. The two Nsemani pride males are still looking amazing despite their age. The one walking in front is the Senior Mbiri male, sired by the Matimba males in 2011, and the one at the back is the Rockfig/Avoca male, born in 2009. The reward for taking a misty and rainy early morning game drive down the H7 towards Nsemani Dam in Kruger National Park during March 2021 "Senior Mbiri is a son of the Northern Matimbas and an older brother to the two famous Mbiri boys, Zigzag and Shaka. Senior Mbiri was born in 2011. After losing his brother and being unwelcome back into his pride, he set out again, found the Rockfig male, and formed the Nsemani coalition. The Rockfig male was born in early 2009. This male was fathered by the three old Ross males. Not much is known about his nomad life; he was seen from time to time in the Timbavati. But he is most famous for being seen in 2017 partnered with a legend, the last Northern Matimba, who was one of the fathers of his soon-to-be partner, Senior Mbiri. It is extraordinary how things work in the wild. They have controlled the Nsemani pride since late 2017 and have remained their dominant males to this day. Both males are past their prime but still look like strong, formidable lions. Hopefully this coalition will hold their reign for some time."
Dead Lion Walking: Senior Mbiri Of Nsemani Lion Pride is dead
The end of a legendary Lion. "Senior Mbiri is a son of the Northern Matimbas and an older brother to the two famous Mbiri boys, Zigzag and Shaka. Senior Mbiri was born in 2011. After losing his brother and being unwelcome back into his pride, he set out again, found the Rockfig male, and formed the Nsemani coalition. The Rockfig male was born in early 2009. This male was fathered by the three old Ross males. Not much is known about his nomad life; he was seen from time to time in the Timbavati. But he is most famous for being seen in 2017 partnered with a legend, the last Northern Matimba, who was one of the fathers of his soon-to-be partner, Senior Mbiri. It is extraordinary how things work in the wild. They have controlled the Nsemani pride since late 2017 and have remained their dominant males until Casper the White Lion and his Shish Brothers took control of the pride in 2022.
Territory of the Nsemani Lion Pride
