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Any new updates or fotos of our Karoo lions????

We visited the park in July,unfortunately did not see the lions .They were in the area accessible only by 4x4 which were closed at the time.Any news on their whereabouts?

What lions??!!??

SO and I were in Karoo NP last week. This was our 2nd visit but 1st since intro of lions. We were pleased to see that the new electric fences do not really detract from the spectacular scenery and great camp. We had wondered how they would manage access to the bird hide but have solved it by making a small parking area on that side of the road and a fenced walkway. We had great views at the hide of the weavers building their nests with the males fluttering their wings to attract the females. There were some lovely Red Bishops half moulting into their plumage. We even had BB jackal come down to drink.

The park offered us gemsbok, kudu, mountain zebra, quagga, springbok and klipspringers plus on our last morning a pair of Black Eagles soaring above the parking area. We hadn't expected to see the lions and did not but there is a good reason to go again another year.

Regards,

DASSIEDELIGHT.

The Snr Section Ranger at Karoo reports the following on the lions' movements:

The female lions and sub-adults moved into the far western section of the park for a few days this past month (September). This was the first time after the release that they moved so far west. They are however back in the central section and often move into the Doornhoek area. The two females and four sub-adults are doing fine and they were encountered by rangers this past week. All six lions in this group are in excellent condition and well fed. The lions tend to walk along roads and dry river beds, making the possibility to spot them along the roads easier, but more difficult when they walk along the dry riverbeds and drainage lines.

The two males patrol the entire park and sometimes walk up to 20 km a night and can be expected to be seen anywhere in the park. A beautiful sighting was reported recently by visitors and rangers along the Nuweveld route and both adult males are also in good condition. The most sought after prey species of the lions seems to be the gemsbok. Other species targeted this past few months were red hartebeest, kudu and eland.

Here are some photos of the two Kings of the Karoo, Nossob & Bitterbal, taken by Piet Heymans (Dankie, Oom Piet) at the end of August...Magnificent, aren't they?!

Wow, they are amazing!

Are they easily spotted Megan, or do they keep away from the tourist roads? We are heading to Karoo in a few weeks time, it would be such a treat to see them.

Best would be to check at reception when you get there for the most recent sightings. The males move over great distances so they could be spotted anywhere. Have a look at the snr section ranger's info above too.

Any news or sightings of the Karoo Lions?

Same question.
I hope to pop in there on Wednesday pm en route to Kruger, and have still not seen Karoo lions...
Will at least have supper at the picnic spot!

God bless,

Friedrich von Hörsten

Latest sightings of the lions are:

Males were seen in the Doornheok valley, near the picnic site on Sunday & Monday

Lionesses & subadults were seen yesterday on the Nuweveld 4x4 loop in the Kookfontein area. They were moving in the direction of Embizweni today.

Hi alf,
The lionesses and subadults are just west of Embizweni on the Nuweveld 4x4 trail this morning. There hasn't been a recent sighting of the male lions.
Its best to ask at reception when you arrive at the park (and daily) as the rangers will update the receptionist on any new sightings of lions.
Enjoy the visit!

Thank you guru. The sightings board yesterday were showing lions close to bulkraal. Not sure if this could have been the males or people thinking they are funny.

Nice the lions looks like Kalahari lions,are they maybe related?

With names like Nossob and Bitterbal, they cant be anything else but Kalahari lions !!

Well they are camera shy, not talking about human shy.