The balance has been lost, and while there are heroic attempts at conservation and rehabilitation the world over, nature can no longer achieve the perfect status quo without the help of man. That has become the role of conservation…helping nature to restore and maintain its perfect balance.

This has been a bitter sweet reality for us at Kariega. On the positive side, in March this year we were delighted with the arrival of another four lion cubs; growing the pride to a magnificent family of twelve. It was a sight to behold, but it filled our hearts with a sense of foreboding because we knew that that the natural balance of our game reserve could not sustain a pride this big. After a long and thorough search we found a home for the three female cubs from the first litter and said a very sad farewell to them in April this year.

Thankfully we and our guests are still privileged to be able to gaze upon the remaining family: Mom and Dad; Aunt and Uncle; Big brother and four baby cubs. We hope you enjoy these pictures of our new baby cubs, and as before, we will keep you up to date with their progress and antics. Thank you as always for your support and we hope you visit us again.

21.05.2009

Do Lions climb trees?

The answer is yes…but not very well! This video clip, taken on Easter morning just 150m from The Homestead, captured it all!

You can imagine our delight when we had barely been on the vehicle for two minutes and there in front of us were all six Lions; the majestic males, the sleek and agile females and the inquisitive and over-active cubs! We stopped the vehicle and watched in awe. The Lion cubs wrestled over a twig; stalked the vehicle; irritated their parents and finally one very brave one decided to climb a tree. The other three sat and watched as if this was not the first time…and they knew exactly what was going to happen!

Going up was not the problem, but when the little fellow got too high, the branches got too weak to carry his weight and the tree started to shake! Out popped one leg…then came another. Hanging on by his two front legs was not very effective, so next we saw a big hairy Lion belly protruding through the leaves and then suddenly plop…plop…plop…the little cub bounced from branch to branch and finally landed in a heap at the bottom of the tree with a few leaves and twigs decorating his regal head!

We are so happy to be able to share this amazing sighting with you!

17.11.2008

....and these pictures have captured it all! Viewing this majestic pride of lion has become a regular experience for our guests.

The cubs have become the “glue” that keeps all four adult lions together, sharing in the responsibility and commitment of raising a family; and the cubs appear to be keeping everyone busy!

First they need to be fed and cleaned… then comes the endless hours of “rough and tumble”… followed with a drink at the watering hole…which restores and revives them enough to take part in the serious business of learning the skills needed to survive in the wild. What a thrill it is to watch these little bundles of fluff practicing the art of stalking and pouncing.

If ever there was a time to visit Kariega…it has to be now! Make a reservation and have the pleasure and privilege of meeting the Kariega Cubs.