This morning’s game drive delivered an unforgettable experience: incredible footage of the Ross Breakaway mother lioness and her newborn cub — a sighting so rare and intimate, it left everyone in awe. What began as an already thrilling encounter with the Ross Breakaway lionesses quickly transformed into something extraordinary when the soft, high-pitched squeals of a cub echoed from deep within the thicket. Moments later, a tiny, week-old cub emerged, revealing itself with wobbly steps and desperate cries, seeking the comfort of its mother.
With breathtaking tenderness, the mother lioness responded immediately. She gently licked her cub, cleaning and calming it, before picking it up delicately in her mouth — a powerful display of maternal care and instinct. As she carried the tiny cub back into the dense undergrowth, the silence among the lucky observers was filled with reverence. These were not just glimpses of wildlife, but shared moments of raw connection and new life in the wild.
This rare and moving interaction is now etched in memory as one of the most special sightings for the team and guests alike. The Klaserie rangers have since declared the area a “negative loc” — meaning no further visits will be made — in order to protect the cub’s space and allow it to adapt safely to its new environment.
Interestingly, there was no sign of the other two cubs that were previously reported in the same area, raising questions about their whereabouts. For now, though, we celebrate this magical encounter with one of nature’s most iconic mothers and her newborn — a true reminder of the wild’s quiet wonders and the importance of giving these new lives the space they need to thrive.
