The mighty MK pride stands 17 strong, but their aging dominant males can't hold on to power much longer. When the all-female Hollywood pride encounters the Nomads, a new pride of rival males, they may have found the answer to their mating dry spell. But they quickly realize that it will not be a happy encounter.

The Hollywood pride is teetering on disaster. An attack by the invading Nomads has left matriarch Ava gravely injured. The Hollywood pride reels after the Nomad’s brutal attack on their leader, Ava, leaves her desperately weak and unable to hunt. To add to her woes, her hungry pride start rejecting her. But without her, they struggle to bring down prey.

The Nomads, a rampaging group of four young male lions, are looking for a pride to take over. The lions of the Nomad pride rampage deep into the heart of the MK pride’s territory, scattering its members and coming dangerously close to the five new MK cubs. Meanwhile, the Hollywoods are recovering, and Ava’s survival skills are still intact.

The Nomads recent invasion has scattered the MK pride to the far south, leaving the youngsters vulnerable. After the dry season lowers the waters, siblings Kimba and Maya risk crossing the river to search for their parents. They run the gauntlet of the densest populations of crocs and hippos in Africa, and face an even greater threat on the other side.

he Hollywood pride is in serious trouble. Having fled north to escape the Nomads, other lions move in and threaten to take over. During the last few weeks of the dry season, the prides stick close to the only available water in the river. But in Luangwa, that proximity spells danger—especially when the scent of a hippo kill compels the Hollywoods to cross the river.