White Lions of the Timbavati
In October 1975, two white lion cubs were born into a pride of lions in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa. The lions were discovered by Chris McBride who, in 1977, went on to write ‘White Lions of The Timbavati’, a book about the famous lions. Since then few other white lions have been born in the Timbavati and immediate vicinity – the last disappeared in 1992, killed in a territorial take-over by other lions.
At the beginning of December last year two white lion cubs were seen in the Timbavati – a most rare and precious event. The cubs were seen early one morning with a pride consisting of three adult females and four cubs approximately 8 or 9 months old. The pride was feeding on a fresh giraffe carcass on Kings Camp property. Only two of the cubs were white and as Kings Camp tracker Albert put it, the other two were just “plain” – meaning they were the normal tawny colour!! Kings Camp’s guides report that the newcomers look healthy and well fed, and their chances of survival increase daily as they get older.
White lions are not albinos, as is sometimes thought, but owe their uniqueness to a recessive gene carried by the normal tawny parent lions. Their re-appearance is a very exciting event.
Kings Camp captures all the charm of a bygone age. The camp faces an open plain and a waterhole that is frequently visited by wildlife. Nine spacious thatched suites, and two honeymoon suites with pools, have air-conditioning, luxurious bathroom, indoor and outdoor shower, mini-bar and private verandah.