White Lions in the Wild & New White Lion Cubs Born

The Timbavati and Kruger region is famously known for its rare white lions and people travel from far and wide to try to get a glimpse at these rare cats. A naturally occurring phenomenon, why are they so few and why are they so white?!

Do you want to see a wild white lion on safari? Explore our White Lion Safari itinerary!

Key takeaways

• As of October 2026, three wild white lions are known in the Greater Kruger: ‍
  
  • Two adult white lions originally from the Birmingham Pride:
    
    • The adult white male lion (Xakubasa or White Tyson) who is now dominant over the Timbavati Pride in the Umbabat Region
    • The adult white lioness, currently the only white lion in the Birmingham Pride - who roam between Kruger National Park and Manyeleti Game Reserve
  • The newest white lion cub in the Giraffe Pride - whose territory sits within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
• White lions are not albino and not a separate species. They are a rare colour variant of the southern African lion, caused by a recessive gene that limits pigment in the coat.
• A white cub can only be born when both parents carry the gene. When two tawny lions who carry the leucistic gene mate, each cub has a 25 percent chance of being white.
• In the wild, white lions have only been recorded in the Timbavati, Umbabat and Klaserie reserves and in central Kruger National Park.
• Casper, the famous and oldest white male of central Kruger, has not been reported since February 2026 and is presumed to have died.
• Sightings are never guaranteed. Reserves restrict how often and how closely young white cubs can be viewed, and responsible guides follow these rules.

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History of White Lion Africa

White lions, long alluded to in ancient texts dating back some 400 years, remained mysterious and elusive, until 1928. The first report of sightings emerged from the area now known as the Timbavati, by the local Shangaan people, who regarded them as divine. Twenty years later Joyce Mostert, whose family owned land in the area, was credited as the ‘first European’ to confirm the existence of these rare animals.

It wasn’t until 1975, that white lions came to public attention, via Chris McBride’s book “The White Lions of Timbavati”. He came across a pride with two white lion cubs, who he tracked and observed, later writing about the experience in his book. His book also details how the animals were transferred to Johannesburg zoo for a breeding program, a program which resulted in white lions seen in zoos across the world.

The uncontrolled capture of white lions (including trophy hunting) caused their extinction in the wild from 1994 to 2006. In 2006, the first wild white cubs were born in the Timbavati area - confirming that the recessive gene is still present in the wild lion population. It is because of the protection granted by the Kruger National Park and its surrounding private game reserves, that we are able to see white lions in the wild.

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What is a White Lion?

A white lion is not albino, and not a separate species or subspecies. It is a leucistic colour variant of the southern African lion, Panthera leo melanochaita. This is a rare genetic mutation that limits pigmentation. They are differentiated from other albino versions of tigers, deer, alligators, and even hedgehogs, by their lack of ‘pink eyes’, which may instead be the normal hazel or golden colour, blue-gray, or green-gray, as well as having pigment in their paw pads and lips. So far, no albino lions have been reported in the wild. The amount of pigment in the hair of white lions also varies from individual to individual, hence a range of white lions from blonde to near-white.

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White lion births in the wild since 2006

Seeing white lions outside of a zoo is a special treat and a stroke of luck even for those of us who live in or by the Kruger National Park! Whilst some 400 exist in captivity following breeding programs, efforts to re-introduce captive bred white lions into the wild have met with limited success. Only a few prides in the Greater Kruger Area are now known to carry the gene. However, knowing just which tawny males and females are capable of producing a white lion is very difficult and depends on a variation of breeding possibilities involving a mating pair both carrying the recessive gene.

That said, wild white cubs were born in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 (West Kruger). Surprisingly, white lion cubs were also born to the Shishangaan pride in the Nwanetsi Area of the Kruger National Park in 2014 and 2015. Close to Singita Lebombo in the East of the Kruger, these cubs were born quite a long way away from the Timbavati.

None of the Timbavati cubs survived and the last Shishangaan white lion (named Casper) is presumed dead at the time of this update (October 2026). With the last sightings recorded in February 2026, and Casper being close to 12 years old then, it is highly unlikely that he is still alive. Casper was part of the Shishangaan coalition, last seen around Satara Rest Camp in Kruger. With the last of the Shishangaan males missing since February 2026, it remains to be seen if white cubs might be born again in Kruger's Nwanetsi area...

White cubs survival rates are often less than their tawny siblings (even tawny lion cubs only have a 50/50 chance of surviving their first year). This is mainly because their white coat offers less natural camouflage in the African bushveld, making them more vulnerable to predation by other predators, including unrelated male lions. High mortality rates of wild lion cubs, combined with the low chances of recessive genes finding one another in a massive open system and producing a white cub, meant that for several years, it seemed that the white lions of Timbavati were extinct yet again...

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A new generation, but will it be enough?

That is, until 2018, when three new, wild white lion cubs were born to the Birmingham Pride. At the time, this pride's territory was centered around the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Whilst these cubs were killed in a pride takeover from the intruding Ross males, three more white cubs were born at the end of 2018 - beginning of 2019. Of these three, a male and female white lion survived to adulthood.

The original Birmingham Pride's territory has shifted in recent years from the Ngala Private Game Reserve - located in the Timbavati region - to the Kruger National Park and into the neighboring, provincial Manyeleti Game Reserve. The pride has now split and spotty sightings cause uncertainty in the number of adults and cubs within the pride at any given time. The movements of this pride have meant that the Orpen Gate area of the Kruger National Park has become a popular location to spot white lions (2023, 2024, 2025).

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The only two adult white lions left in the wild

The white male lion born in 2018 from the Birmingham Pride was named Xakubasa (or nicknamed White Tyson, after one of the Ross males who sired him). He has now left the pride to establish his own territory further north in Umbabat, a private game reserve with open borders to Kruger National Park and adjecent to Timbavati, where he sired two white cubs with the Timbavati Pride. It is thought that this pride split off from the historical Jacaranda Pride, where in 2006 white cubs were born. One white female cub named "Vuxeni" (meaning sunrise), was seen in his territory in February 2025. There have been no further sightings reported of these white cubs.

The white lioness born in 2019 gave birth to a white lion cub herself in May of 2023. Another white lion cub was also born to a tawny lioness in the Birmingham Pride in September 2023. Sadly the pride lost one of these two younger cubs early on, and the other female cub was injured in January 2025. Despite evidence of her injury being healed in April 2025, the subadult cub has not been seen since late 2025. These cubs born in 2023 in the Birmingham Pride were sired by the Mbiri males, who are sons of the Matimba males. The Matimba males originally came from the Birmingham Pride. The white lioness born in 2019 (nicknamed the Birmingham Queen) has been seen regularly throughout 2026.

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New hope from white lion cubs born in 2025

In February 2025, a white lion cub was seen with the Black Dam Pride. This white lion cub is thought to be descended from the Skorro Pride. This lineage also traces back to the Matimba males. In September 2026, Sandringham Private Game Reserve announced that this subadult male had passed after months of not being seen.

At the end of 2025, the newest wild, male white lion cub was born to the Giraffe Pride, fathered by the Birmingham Breakaway males. So we know that at least one of them carries the leucistic gene. The Giraffe Pride has its territory in the Timbavati and has strong white lion genetics in their past. In 2014, there were five white lions in the pride. Sadly the three cubs never survived, and the two adult lionesses passed away in 2016 and 2017. This newest cub is the only one from this new generation that has a chance to grow into adulthood. However, the pride has faced pressure from the Black Dam males, which currently is the biggest risk to the cub's survival.

At the time of writing (October 2026), the total number of known, wild-born white lions in the Greater Kruger Region sits at three:

• two white lions originally from the Birmingham Pride:
  
  • The adult white male lion (Xakubasa or White Tyson) who is now dominant over the Timbavati Pride in the Umbabat Region
  • The adult white lioness, currently the only white lion in the Birmingham Pride - who roam between Kruger National Park and Manyeleti Game Reserve
• the newest white lion cub in the Giraffe Pride - whose territory sits within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

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The future of Kruger's white lions: the Giraffe Pride?

The success of the wild white lions of the Kruger continues to be precarious. The survival of three individuals at the time of writing (October 2026) confirms that white lions are a natural occurrence and that the recessive gene is still present in the wild population of the Kruger region. However, as is natural with lion population dynamics, dominant males shift regularly and cub survival rates are primarily affected by pride takeovers. Currently, the only two adult wild white lions are thriving in their respective territories.

The remaining white lioness in the Birmingham pride and one of the tawny lionesses both gave birth to a - now presumed deceased - white lion cub under the Mbiri males. However, now that the Monwana males have taken over, it remains to be seen whether they carry the leucistic gene. The white Birmingham lioness has a 50 percent chance per cub if the sire carries the gene, and no chance if he doesn’t.

Might the white dominant male in the Umbabat father any new white cubs with the Timbavati Pride? The lionesses in that pride are getting to an advanced age themselves. However, Xakubasa is white, so every cub he has with a proven carrier, such as the Timbavati Pride lionesses, has a 50 percent chance of being white.

Chances are though, that the Giraffe Pride under the Birmingham Breakaway males is the best bet of carrying on the recessive gene. The five Birmingham Breakaway males and eleven Giraffe Pride lionesses both have strong histories of producing white lion cubs. Each Giraffe Pride cub from a carrier pair has a 25 percent chance of being white. So, only time will tell whether the Timbavati will once again prove to be the stronghold of wild white lions.

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Where to see white lions in the wild?

Today, your best chances of seeing a white lion in the wild are still in the Timbavati. The Giraffe Pride and the male white lion cub are seen at Tanda Tula and Walkers Plains Camp. Whilst this is your best chance, sightings are never guaranteed and always in the interest of the wildlife first. The Timbavati protocol is no viewing the cubs without their mother present, no tracking them on foot and no viewing after dark. Guides also limit viewing of the white cub to once every two to three days.

The white adult lioness is well-established within the core Birmingham Pride, whose territory historically overlaps significantly with Ngala Private Game Reserve. Sightings have been reported in the area around the Kruger National Park Orpen Gate. The pride's sub-adults have spent their time further south and east in the Manyeleti and central Kruger sectors.

The white male on Umbabat is rarely seen, and conseridered elusive.

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Do you want to see a truly wild, white lion? Our White Lion Safari combines the best places to maximise your chances of spotting them!

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FAQ

How many white lions are left in the wild?

As of October 2026, three wild-born white lions are known in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa.

1. The Giraffe Pride cub. A young male born at the end of 2025 in the Timbavati.
2. The Birmingham lioness. An adult female born to the Birmingham Pride in late 2018 or early 2019. Her pride moves between Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti.
3. Xakubasa or White Tyson, an adult male originally from the Birmingham Pride, now dominant over the Timbavati Pride in the Umbabat.

Numbers change as cubs are born and older lions die, so this page shows the date of each update.

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Are white lions albino?

No. White lions are leucistic, which means their coat has reduced pigment, but their eyes, lips and paw pads still have colour. An albino animal has no pigment at all and usually has pink eyes. No albino lion has been reported in the wild.

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Are white lions a separate species?

No. A white lion is a colour variant of the southern African lion, Panthera leo melanochaita. White and tawny cubs are often born in the same litter.

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Why are white lions so rare?

White lions are rare because the gene that causes the white coat is recessive. A cub is only white if it inherits a copy of the gene from both parents. In limited sampling in the Timbavati, about 19 percent of lions carried the gene, according to Tanda Tula guide Chad Cocking. Most carriers never meet another carrier, and even when they do, each cub has only a one in four chance of being white. Young males also leave their birth pride, which spreads the gene thinly across the Greater Kruger.

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Where can I see white lions in the wild?

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve currently offers the most sightings, through the Giraffe Pride and its white male cub. The adult Birmingham lioness is seen around the Orpen Gate area of Kruger National Park and in the Manyeleti. The white male in the Umbabat is rarely seen. Our White Lion Safari combines the best places to maximise your chances of spotting a wild white lion today.

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Can a white lion sighting be guaranteed?

No. White lions are wild animals that move across large, unfenced areas. Reserves also limit viewing of young cubs to protect them. When the Giraffe Pride cub was small, guides restricted viewing to times when his mother was present, did not view him at night, and limited sightings to once every two to three days. A well-planned safari puts you in the right areas with experienced guides, but it can’t guarantee a sighting.

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Is it safe for white lions to live in the wild?

White lions face the same main threats as tawny lions, especially new males taking over a pride and killing its cubs. Their pale coat makes young cubs easier for predators to spot. White lions that reach adulthood hunt as successfully as their tawny pride members.

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Are white lions endangered?

White lions are not listed separately, because they are not a species or subspecies. Lions as a species are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The wild white lion population is tiny and depends on prides that carry the gene staying protected within the Greater Kruger.

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What about the white lions in zoos and breeding facilities?

Captive white lions far outnumber wild ones. Most descend from lions removed from the Timbavati in the 1970s to be bred in captivity. This uncontrolled capture and removal actually contributed to the white lion to become extinct in the wild from 1994 until 2006. Captive white lion numbers do not contribute to the wild population estimates, which are counted only as lions born from naturally occurring carriers in the Greater Kruger.

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Could more white lion cubs be born soon?

Yes, to our current knowledge these three prides have the potential to produce more white lion cubs:

1. The Giraffe Pride. The birth of its white cub proves that at least one Birmingham Breakaway male and the cub’s mother carry the gene.
2. The Timbavati Pride. Xakubasa is white, so every cub he fathers with one of its carrier lionesses has a 50 percent chance of being white.
3. The Birmingham lioness. Whether her future cubs could be white depends on whether the new dominant males carry the gene, which is not yet known.

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Written by Michelle Pengilly and Evelyn Poole. Originally published October 2023. Updated October 2026.