Coalition · Ruling

The Topi Boys

Also known as Kio and his brothers · Kings of the Marsh Pride, Masai Mara

c. 2021 – present

Origin: Topi Pride, Topi Plains, Masai Mara, Kenya

The Topi Boys are a coalition of seven young male lions in Kenya’s Masai Mara: Ukingo, Otipo, Djodjo, Moja, Vuli, Nzuri and Kio. They were born into the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains around 2021 and are reported to have been sired by the Salas males. Their youngest member, Kio, is the hero of the 2026 National Geographic series LION, which followed him and his brothers for four years.

After being banished from their birth pride as young males, the brothers survived together on the fringes of other males’ territories. In December 2024 they took over the Marsh Pride of the Musiara Marsh, the pride made famous by Big Cat Diary and Dynasties, and they now divide their time between the Marsh and the neighbouring Paradise Pride.

With seven members, the Topi Boys are one of the largest coalitions in the Mara, and the first cubs of their era were born in the Marsh Pride in October 2025.

Members

K The youngest · star of LION Kio c. 2021 – Followed by National Geographic from eight weeks old. Read the full record M Said to be dominant Moja c. 2021 – Also called Moja Moja. Read the full record U Brother Ukingo c. 2021 – Read the full record O Brother Otipo c. 2021 – Read the full record D Brother Djodjo c. 2021 – Read the full record V Brother Vuli c. 2021 – Read the full record N Brother Nzuri c. 2021 – Read the full record
7Members
2021Born
2024Took the Marsh Pride
6Marsh lionesses in 2026

Profile

Coalition

Members
Ukingo, Otipo, Djodjo, Moja, Vuli, Nzuri and Kio
Relationship
Brothers and cousinsBorn into the Topi Pride; reported to have been sired by the Salas males
Origin / birthplace
Topi Pride, Topi Plains, Masai Mara, KenyaBorn around 2021
How it formed
Grew up together and stayed together after being banished from their birth pride

Reign

Area
Musiara Marsh, Bila Shaka and the Paradise Plains, Masai Mara
Prides ruled
Marsh Pride (from December 2024); also the Paradise Pride
Took over from
Information not available
Reign
About 2 years so far (December 2024 – present)
Territory size
Information not available

End

End of the coalition
Information not availableThe coalition is still ruling
Successors
Information not available

Names & Meanings

The Topi BoysCoalition name

After the Topi Pride and the Topi Plains where they were born.

NzuriMember

Swahili for good or beautiful.

MojaMember

Swahili for one. Also called Moja Moja.

UkingoMember

Swahili for edge or border.

VuliMember

Swahili for the short rains season.

Story of the Coalition

  1. c. 2021

    Born into the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains.

  2. c. 2021 – 2025

    Followed by the National Geographic LION crew, with the youngest, Kio, as the main character.

  3. Young adults

    Banished from their birth pride, they survived together in territory held by older males.

  4. December 2024

    Took over the Marsh Pride of the Musiara Marsh.

  5. October 2025

    The lioness Kaleo gave birth to two sons, Musiara and Olonyori, among the first cubs of their reign.

  6. August 2026

    Their story, through Kio, was broadcast as LION.

Legend & Truth

Returning home

The Topi Pride is said to have formed around 2018 when a group of Marsh Pride lionesses broke away. If so, the Topi Boys’ takeover of the Marsh brought the bloodline back to its old ground.

Photographs

Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon

More photographs

Film

The film of The Topi Boys is coming soon

Animation

An animated story of The Topi Boys is coming soon

Documentaries & Features

Documentary seriesAugust 2026

LION

National Geographic — executive producers Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton

The story of Kio and his brothers from cubs to kings.

View

Sources

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

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