Curious Cubs: Lions at Shimungwe

As the sun dipped low over the African wilderness, painting the sky in warm golds and pinks, three lion cubs from the Guernsey pride began to stir. Their mother lay sleeping in the dry grass, unfazed by their gentle prods and tail tugs. With no luck rousing her, the curious cubs turned their attention elsewhere - mischief.

A shallow dent in the earth became a battlefield. One cub crouched low behind it, tail twitching, amber eyes locked on her unsuspecting sibling. She inched forward with all the focus of a seasoned huntress - despite being just a couple of months old. Of course, she wasn’t stalking dinner. She was preparing for something far more important: a surprise attack in the ultimate game of tag.

With a clumsy pounce, she launched herself at her brother and the chase was on - darting circles around the wheels of our vehicle in a whirlwind of dust and flailing paws. Their mother, stirred by the commotion, lifted her head and rose to join them, settling a little closer to keep a watchful eye on her spirited offspring.

Now all three cubs clambered onto a nearby fallen tree, teetering on its sun-bleached branches, each one determined to be the first to reach the top. This wasn’t just play - it was practice. In every tumble and leap, they were learning the skills they’d one day need to survive and thrive in the wild.

As the last light faded and dusk cloaked the bush, our guide Lucan slowly eased the vehicle away, giving the pride the space to melt into the night.

At the time of this sighting, three established prides—the Avoca, Guernsey and Monwana prides—were regularly seen in Thornybush Game Reserve. The Black Dam males were also prominent in the area.

The Black Dam males arrived in 2023 and displaced the Mapoza male. By April 2025, at least five litters had been recorded, including three born to the Avoca pride, which was frequently seen near Shimungwe Lodge.

Every morning and evening, we venture out into this wild, beating heart of Africa. And every drive brings new possibility. Whether it's the quiet thrill of watching cubs at play, the echoing roars of a territorial male, or the raw energy of a pride on the hunt, sharing these wild moments with our guests is one of our greatest joys.

Here at Shimungwe, safari is more than sightseeing - it’s a brief window into a whole other world. Because sometimes, watching a lion cub pounce in a patch of golden light is all it takes to remind us just how extraordinary the natural world truly is.

Words and Photos by Emily Whiting.

This story records a guest sighting from April 2025. Lion territories, pride composition and individual animals in a wild reserve naturally change over time.

Guests staying at Shimungwe Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve enjoy game drives twice daily at dawn and dusk, where sightings of the Big Five are common.