Living

Ukingo

Also known as M1 · The Leading Topi Boy

c. 2020/21 – present

Born in Topi Plains, Masai Mara, Kenya

Ukingo, known to guides as M1, is one of the seven Topi Boys of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Guides translate his name as “the dominant one”, and for most of the coalition’s rise he was its leading male, as heavy as his brother Djodjo.

The Topi Boys are seven young males born around 2020–2021, during the Covid years, to lionesses of the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Their fathers were the Sala’s males, Olepolos, Osapuk and Orkitok. In December 2024 the seven pushed the ageing Bila Shaka brothers out of the Musiara Marsh and took over the famous Marsh Pride, and they have since spread to the Paradise Pride and pressed into the Mara Triangle. Guides number them M1 to M7: Ukingo, Otipo, Moja Moja, Kiongozi (Kio), Vuli, Nzuri and Djodjo.

Ukingo was injured early in 2026 but recovered well. Guides note that leadership of the coalition is becoming shared as his brothers mature, but he remains one of its leading males.

Member of the coalition The Topi Boys View the coalition
7Brothers
2024Took the Marsh Pride
~5Age in 2026
2Prides

Profile

Identity

Name
UkingoThe name he is best known by
Nicknames
M1
Origin of the name
Translated by guides as “the dominant one”
Sex
Male
Distinguishing features
One of the two heaviest brothers
Weight
Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg

Birth & Family

Born
c. 2020 – 2021
Birthplace
Topi Plains, Masai Mara, Kenya
Birth pride
Topi Pride
Father
Osapuk or OlepolosSources differ; one account names his mother as Dunia
Mother
Information not availableA Topi Pride lioness
Siblings
Ukingo, Otipo, Moja Moja, Kio, Vuli, Nzuri and Djodjo (brothers and half-brothers)

Reign

Pride king
Yes; long the leading male of the Topi Boys
Prides ruled
Marsh Pride (from December 2024); Paradise Pride (from early 2026)
Pride size
Information not available
Reign
About 2 years so far (December 2024 – present)
Ruled with
His Topi brothers
Coalition
The Topi Boys
Home range
The Musiara Marsh, Topi Plains and Paradise Plains, Masai Mara, Kenya
Territory size
Information not available

Death

Died
Information not availableStill living as of 2026
Age at death
Information not availableAbout 5–6 in 2026
Cause of death
Information not available
Place of death
Information not available
Burial
Information not available

Names & Meanings

UkingoName

Translated by Governors’ Camp guides as “the dominant one”.

M1Designation

His number among the seven.

Family & Lineage

Father (reported)Olepolos or OsapukOne of the Sala’s males. Paternity is based on guides’ and fans’ identification; accounts differ.
Topi Pride lionessMotherNot always identified.
M1Ukingoc. 2020/21 –
M2 · brotherOtipoView record →M3 · brotherMoja MojaCollared in 2025.View record →M4 · brotherKioKiongozi, “leader”.View record →M5 · brotherVuliOften pushed out by his brothers.View record →M6 · brotherNzuriFamous for his mane.View record →M7 · brotherDjodjoOne of the largest.View record →
OffspringCubsCubs of the Marsh and Paradise prides born since 2025 are thought to be the coalition’s.

Life Story

  1. c. 2020 – 2021

    Born in the Topi Pride on the Topi Plains, a son of one of the Sala’s males.

  2. December 2024

    With his six brothers, drove the Bila Shaka males out of the Marsh and took the Marsh Pride.

  3. July 2025

    Often with the Marsh lioness Kaleo, with Moja Moja and Nzuri.

  4. Late 2025

    With Nzuri, chased their brother Kio.

  5. Early 2026

    Injured, then recovered.

Legend & Truth

Which father?

Fan accounts disagree on whether Ukingo’s father was Olepolos or Osapuk.

Photographs

Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon

More photographs

Film

The film of M1’s life is coming soon

Animation

An animated story of M1’s life is coming soon

Sources

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

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