Living

Ulimi Mbili

Also known as Two Tongues · The Loner of the Saba Bora

c. 2020 – present

Born in Eastern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (believed)

Ulimi Mbili is one of the seven Saba Bora brothers who took over the Namiri Plains of Tanzania’s eastern Serengeti in 2023. His name is Swahili for “two tongues”: the tip of his tongue is split like a fork. The guide Tariq Said Sarico, who named the brothers, calls his the scariest face of all seven. The name grew from a suggestion by a fellow guide, Rufina, who called him Ulimi, tongue; Tariq added mbili, two.

The Saba Bora, Swahili for “the best seven”, are seven brothers who swept onto the Namiri Plains of the eastern Serengeti in early 2023 and ended the seven-year reign of Bob Junior and Marley. On 11 March 2023 three of them killed Bob Junior. They took over the Semetu Pride, Bob Junior’s own pride, and in early 2024 the Punda Kopjes pride. Two younger brothers joined them for a time in 2024, and later that year three of the seven split away as the Wasafi Boys.

Unlike Kiduku, Ulimi Mbili is most often found alone, a little apart from his brothers. In March 2024 he was seen on what guides call a honeymoon, mating with one of the coalition’s lionesses. Whether he is among the three brothers who split away as the Wasafi Boys has not been published.

7Brothers in his coalition

2Tongue tips

2023Took the Namiri Plains

~6Age in 2026

Profile

Identity

Name: Ulimi MbiliThe name he is best known by
Nicknames: Two Tongues
Origin of the name: Swahili for two tongues, for his forked tongue
Sex: Male
Distinguishing features: A split, fork-like tip to his tongue; a fearsome, scarred face
Weight: Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg

Birth & Family

Born: c. 2020Estimated; Kiduku was described as about 3½ in March 2024
Birthplace: Eastern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (believed)Not published
Birth pride: Information not availableNot published
Father: Information not available
Mother: Information not available
Siblings: Six brothers of the Saba Bora, including Chongo, Kiduku and Ulimi Mbili; two younger brothers joined in 2024

Reign

Pride king: Yes, a pride male of the Saba Bora
Prides ruled: Semetu Pride (from 2023); Punda Kopjes pride (from early 2024)Ruled with his brothers
Pride size: Information not available
Reign: About 3½ years so far (March 2023 – present)
Ruled with: His brothers, though he often keeps apart
Coalition: The Saba Bora
Home range: Namiri Plains and the eastern Serengeti, Tanzania
Territory size: Information not available

Death

Died: Information not availableStill living as far as is known
Age at death: Information not availableAbout six in 2026
Cause of death: Information not available
Place of death: Information not available
Burial: Information not available

Names & Meanings

Ulimi MbiliName

Swahili for “two tongues”, for his forked tongue. Suggested by guide Rufina and completed by Tariq Said Sarico.

Two TonguesEnglish name

The translation.

Family & Lineage

Not publishedParentsThe Saba Bora’s birth pride and fathers have not been published.

Two TonguesUlimi Mbilic. 2020 –

Brother · dominantChongoAlso Scarnose. The biggest of the seven, blind in one eye after a buffalo attack.View record →Brother · Chongo’s companionKidukuNamed for his mohawk-like mane; one of the three who killed Bob Junior.View record →

BrothersFour more brothersThe rest of the seven; their names have not been widely published.

Offspring of the coalitionSemetu Pride cubsCubs born to the Semetu and Punda Kopjes lionesses since 2023. In a coalition, which male fathered which cub is usually unknown.

Life Story

c. 2020
Born, most likely in the eastern Serengeti. The birth pride has not been published.
Early 2023
Arrived on the Namiri Plains with his six brothers as a young nomad.
March 2023
The Saba Bora killed Bob Junior and Marley and took the Namiri Plains.
2023
Took over the Semetu Pride with his brothers.
March 2024
Named Ulimi Mbili by Tariq Said Sarico, and seen mating with a lioness of the coalition’s prides.