Living

Vuli

Also known as M5 · The Outsider Brother

c. 2020/21 – present

Born in Topi Plains, Masai Mara, Kenya

Vuli, known to guides as M5, is one of the seven Topi Boys of Kenya’s Masai Mara. For long periods he struggled to be accepted by his brothers; in July 2025 Nzuri and Djodjo turned on him and chased him away, and it took days before he dared rejoin them.

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.

Kept at a distance, Vuli explored further afield, and around the end of 2025 he found the Paradise Pride open to takeover. He called his brothers across, and by January 2026 the coalition had redirected its efforts to Paradise Plains.

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

Profile

Identity

Name
VuliThe name he is best known by
Nicknames
M5
Origin of the name
Swahili for the short rains
Sex
Male
Distinguishing features
Information not available
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 (reported)
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, though often on the edge of the coalition
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

VuliName

Swahili for the short rainy season; the reason for the name was not found.

M5Designation

His number among the seven.

Family & Lineage

Father (reported)OsapukOne of the Sala’s males. Paternity is based on guides’ and fans’ identification; accounts differ.
Topi Pride lionessMotherNot always identified.
M5Vulic. 2020/21 –
M1 · brotherUkingoLong the leading male.View record →M2 · brotherOtipoView record →M3 · brotherMoja MojaCollared in 2025.View record →M4 · brotherKioKiongozi, “leader”.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

    Chased away by Nzuri and Djodjo; rejoined days later.

  4. Late 2025

    Explored Paradise Plains alone.

  5. January 2026

    Called his brothers to the Paradise Pride.

Legend & Truth

Life on the edge

Large coalitions often have members at the margin. Vuli’s wanderings led the whole coalition to a new pride.

Photographs

Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon

More photographs

Film

The film of M5’s life is coming soon

Animation

An animated story of M5’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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