Coalition · Two remaining

The Bila Shaka Boys

Also known as The Six Pack · Masai Mara, Kenya

c. 2018 – present

Origin: Moniko Pride, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya

The Bila Shaka Boys, also known as the Six Pack, are a coalition of male lions in Kenya’s Masai Mara. All six were born in 2014 in the Moniko Pride of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, sired by the famous males Lolparpit and Olbarnoti: Baba Yao, Doa, Chongo, Kiok, Kibogoyo and Koshoke. Most of their names describe them, in Swahili or Maa: Chongo means bad eye, Kiok ear, Kibogoyo toothless and Doa spot.

It is unusual for six young males from one pride to survive to adulthood together. Around 2018 they began taking over from the ageing Four Musketeers, the coalition of Scarface, and became the dominant males around the Bila Shaka lugga and the Musiara Marsh, the home of the Marsh Pride. They went on to rule the Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides at different times, and spent long periods in the Mara Triangle.

The coalition has slowly shrunk. Baba Yao disappeared after a fight with the Salas males in 2019, Doa left in 2020 to stay with the Topi Pride, and in December 2024 the seven Topi Boys pushed the remaining brothers out of the Marsh, after which they concentrated on the Paradise Pride. Koshoke disappeared in September 2025, and in 2026 Chongo went missing and the brothers lost the Rekero Pride. Kiok and Kibogoyo are the last two known to be alive.

Members

K Mismatched ears Kiok 2014 – Still living in 2026. Read the full record K Missing canine Kibogoyo 2014 – Still living in 2026, recovering from injuries. Read the full record C One-eyed Chongo 2014 – 2026? Missing since 2026. Read the full record K Koshoke 2014 – 2025 Disappeared in September 2025. Read the full record D Spot by the eye Doa 2014 – ? Left in 2020 to stay with the Topi Pride. Read the full record B Once dominant Baba Yao 2014 – c. 2020 Disappeared after a fight with the Salas males. Read the full record
6Brothers
2Still living (2026)
4Prides ruled
2014Born

Profile

Coalition

Members
Baba Yao, Doa, Chongo, Kiok, Kibogoyo and Koshoke
Relationship
Brothers and half-brothers from one pride
Origin / birthplace
Moniko Pride, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, KenyaBorn 2014; sired by Lolparpit and Olbarnoti
How it formed
Left their birth pride together as young males

Reign

Area
Masai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle: the Musiara Marsh, Bila Shaka, Paradise Plains and the Mara River
Prides ruled
Marsh, Topi, Paradise and Rekero prides, at different times
Took over from
The Four Musketeers (c. 2018)
Reign
About 8 years so far (c. 2018 – present)
Territory size
Information not available

End

End of the coalition
Information not availableNot ended; two members remain in 2026
Successors
The Topi Boys in the Marsh (December 2024)

Names & Meanings

Bila ShakaCoalition name

After the Bila Shaka lugga, a watercourse in the Marsh Pride’s territory. Bila shaka is Swahili for “without doubt”.

The Six PackOther name

For the six brothers; also called the Six Warriors.

Story of the Coalition

  1. 2014

    Six males born in the Moniko Pride to Lolparpit and Olbarnoti.

  2. July 2018

    All six still together at about four years old, a rare survival for so many young males.

  3. c. 2018

    Began replacing the ageing Four Musketeers around the Marsh and Bila Shaka.

  4. 2019

    Baba Yao fled a fight with three Salas males, injured, and was never seen again.

  5. March 2020

    Doa separated to stay with the Topi Pride.

  6. 2020 – 2022

    Ruled the Paradise Pride, moving between the National Reserve and the Mara Triangle.

  7. October 2023

    Pressed the Marsh Pride, where Kibogoyo was suspected of killing a cub.

  8. December 2024

    Pushed out of the Marsh by the Topi Boys; concentrated on the Paradise Pride.

  9. January 2025

    Chongo badly injured by a buffalo and treated by a vet.

  10. September 2025

    Koshoke disappeared.

  11. 2026

    Chongo went missing; the brothers lost the Rekero Pride. Kiok and Kibogoyo remain.

Legend & Truth

Two lions called Chongo

Chongo of the Bila Shaka, in Kenya, is not Chongo of the Saba Bora, in the Serengeti.

Sons of famous fathers

Lolparpit and Olbarnoti were among the best-known males of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and fans see the Bila Shaka as their legacy.

Photographs

Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon

More photographs

Film

The film of The Bila Shaka Boys is coming soon

Animation

An animated story of The Bila Shaka Boys is coming soon

Documentaries & Features

Article2024

The Lions of the Triangle: An Update

Angama Mara

The Bila Shaka boys in the Mara Triangle.

View

Sources

Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.

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