Elewana guide Charles Gichuhi Wanja gives us on-the-ground feedback on how the local pride has expanded and continues to thrive in the area surrounding Elewana Sand River Camp.

As the great herds of wildebeest and zebra begin their long journey southward across the Sand River, the landscape has grown quieter, leaving behind a powerful reminder of nature’s rhythm. For months, the plains around Sand River were alive with movement, dust, and drama - a spectacle that shaped not only the land but also the lives of the predators who depend on it.

Among the great beneficiaries of this abundance has been the Sand River Pride. Since the four dominant males took over from the previous coalition in 2023, the pride has flourished. Today, they command a thriving kingdom of six lionesses and fifteen cubs - one of the largest and most stable prides in the Greater Mara.

Four of the lionesses, with their seven cubs, now roam the stretch between Maporomoko and Mawe ya Kujisugua, an area rich in game and favoured by herds crossing the river. The two older lionesses, each with three cubs, have chosen quieter ground near the Sand River Camp staff quarters, where they raise their young in peace, often seen resting under the acacia shade.

All the cubs are thriving - playful, curious, and full of life - each now past three months old. Watching them follow their mothers through the golden grass has been one of the true highlights of this migration season. For many guests, these moments have offered rare and intimate glimpses into the world of a lion pride in its prime.

The season also brought moments of tension. During a fierce battle among the four dominant males, one nearly lost his right eye. Thanks to the quick response of Dr. David Sherdlick, the Mara veterinarian, the injured lion was treated and made a full recovery. His survival ensured the pride’s continued stability and strength.

As the herds disappear beyond the southern hills, the Sand River remains alive with stories - of lions and migration, of struggle and renewal.