ABOUT
The Lions
Find the Lion—or Lioness—Within You
At Savuti Health and Fitness, we believe in the transformative power of health, strength, and resilience. Our membership tiers are inspired by some of the world’s most iconic lions—legends from Botswana, the Maasai Mara of Kenya, and the Serengeti plains of Tanzania and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco!
These extraordinary animals have demonstrated power, endurance, survival, and leadership—often in the face of great adversity. Lions, unlike other members of the cat family, are social beings. They live in groups known as prides that nurture, protect, and share responsibilities—a reflection of the community spirit we foster at Savuti.
But not all lions live in prides. Some are nomads—solitary travellers, free spirits who forge their own path. Like these lions, our members come from all walks of life, each on a unique journey.
Our featured memberships honour these legendary lions. Which one will inspire your path?
SIMBA
Membership Features:
24/7 Gym + Group Fitness
Fortnightly payment, 6 and 12-month upfront options
Optional unlimited 30-minute sauna sessions for just $1 extra per week
Upgrade options for Infrared Sauna, Recovery, or Reformer Packs
Once the largest lion in captivity, Simba lived at Colchester Zoo in England. With a striking black mane, Simba is believed to have been a Barbary lion—a now-extinct subspecies from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, renowned for their size and majesty. Though gone from the wild, their legacy lives on through conservation and legend.
Simba’s name, immortalised by Disney’s The Lion King, is derived from the Swahili word for "lion" and symbolises strength, bravery, and leadership.
NTWADUMELA
(En-twai-doo-meh-lah)
Membership Features:
24/7 Gym + Recovery Suite (Cold Plunge, Infrared Sauna, Compression Boots, Massage Gun, 8-weekly Body Composition Scan
Fortnightly payment and 12-month upfront options
The lion who inspired the name of the gym – Savuti Health and Fitness Alongside his brother Mandevu, Ntwadumela ruled the Savuti region of Botswana and became legendary for his fearlessness—especially his reputation as a hyena killer in defence of his pride.
His name in Swahili means “He who greets with fire”—a powerful image of both beauty and ferocity. Ntwadumela’s story was captured in the award-winning documentary Eternal Enemies by Derek and Beverly Joubert, which also inspired our founder Nick Prince’s journey to the Savuti Marsh in 1996.
You can see Ntwadumela in action by clicking the link below.
CONTENT WARNING ADVISED as some scenes can be upsetting or distressful.
YouTube: Ntwadumela - "he who greets with fire"
Ntwadumela—the legendary Savuti lion known for his fierce loyalty and fearsome strength. A true warrior of the bush.
Photo credit: E Cash
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A premium gym + recovery membership including:
Full or partial recovery sessions
Access to sauna, cold plunge, compression boots, and massage gun
Complimentary body composition scans every 8 weeks to keep you accountable and results-focused
SEKOTI
Membership Features:
24/7 Gym + 24/7 Reformer Pilates (Instructor led Classes and 24/7 On-Demand), 8-weekly Body Composition Scan
Fortnightly payment and 12-month upfront options
The son of the dominant lion Sekekama, Sekoti was exiled from his father's pride—but he didn’t fall. He rose. Forming a new coalition known as the Renegades, Sekoti and his brothers claimed territory in northern Savuti.
Known for his partially missing tail—its cause unknown—Sekoti became a symbol of resilience, defying expectations and asserting himself in a harsh, competitive landscape. His journey speaks to those who have faced setbacks yet continue to rise. Due to his ‘snipped tail’ Sekoti is of Setswana origin meaning short or ‘sniptail’
Photo credit: Thalefang Charles | Sekoti, the determined outcast turned ruler—his missing tail a mark of survival, his eyes set on sovereignty.
ELSA
Membership Features:
24/7 Gym + Group Fitness + Instructor-led Reformer Pilates + Infrared Sauna (Fitness Passport holders only)
Elsa, the beloved lioness of Born Free, is a global symbol of compassion, freedom, and the power of gentle resilience. Raised by George and Joy Adamson in Kenya and successfully reintroduced to the wild, her story showed the world that nurture and independence can coexist, and that the bond between humans and nature can be one of respect and harmony.
At Savuti Health and Fitness, Elsa represents balance, adaptability, and inner strength. Just as she returned to the wild with grace and courage, this membership supports members in reclaiming their wellbeing—mind, body, and spirit.
This tier is dedicated exclusively to Fitness Passport holders, offering the same empowering benefits as the Simba membership, with the added restorative edge of the Infrared Sauna—perfect for recovery, relaxation, and renewal.
Elsa—the lioness who lived free, embodying harmony and strength.
ASLAN
Membership Features:
The Aslan membership is the pinnacle of Savuti Health and Fitness—an all-inclusive tier that gives you 24/7 gym access, along with unlimited entry to all group fitness classes, including instructor-led Reformer Pilates. Members enjoy unrestricted use of the Infrared Sauna for both 30- and 45-minute sessions, alongside unlimited Cold Plunge and Full Recovery Suite access for ultimate restoration. You’ll also benefit from 24/7 On-Demand Virtual Reformer access, body composition scans every 8 weeks to keep you on track, and exclusive Savuti rewards including a merchandise package and 10% off all retail purchases.
Aslan, the great lion of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, is more than a storybook figure—he is the embodiment of courage, wisdom, and transformation. A symbol of justice and strength tempered by compassion, Aslan inspires others to rise to their highest potential.
He is both guardian and guide, awakening greatness in those who follow him. Just as Aslan’s roar ignited courage in the hearts of Narnia’s heroes, this membership represents the pinnacle of health, recovery, and personal empowerment at Savuti Health and Fitness.
Aslan—the noble lion of wisdom and power, inspiring transformation at the highest level.
SCARFACE
Scarface, the most famous lion of the Maasai Mara, was a legend in his own right. Known for the deep scar that cut across his eye, he was instantly recognisable and became an icon for his rugged resilience and fierce spirit. Despite his injury, Scarface ruled for years, leading one of the largest coalitions ever seen in the Mara.
His story is one of survival against the odds—scarred but unbroken, feared yet admired. Scarface symbolises raw strength, endurance, and the ability to rise above hardship. He stood as a reminder that even with visible battles fought and won, dignity and power remain undiminished.
At Savuti Health and Fitness, Scarface represents determination and perseverance. This membership is built for those who embrace their scars—whether physical or personal—as marks of strength, not weakness.
Scarface—the scarred warrior, a living emblem of resilience and power.
Photo credit: Yaron Schmid
THE STORY OF THE CENTRAL PRIDE
In the wild expanse of Savuti, one pride stood at the very heart of it all—the Central Pride. Their tale is woven from courage, loyalty, and resilience, forged in a land where survival is never guaranteed.
Over the years, the pride was defined by some of Savuti’s most legendary lions. Ntwadumela, “he who greets with fire,” led with ferocity and presence, his roar shaking the marsh. Beside him was Mandevu, the great maned lion whose strength and courage anchored the pride in times of turmoil. Then came Sekoti, the strategist—cunning, patient, and wise—who ensured the pride’s survival through shifting fortunes and fierce rivals.
But no story of the Central Pride is complete without Matsui, the indomitable lioness immortalised in Eternal Enemies. Fierce, relentless, and unyielding, Matsui embodied the raw determination of the Savuti females—hunters, nurturers, and defenders who carried the pride through hardship. She was the heart of the family, proving that true strength is not only in the mane of a leader but in the endurance and courage of those who fight for every meal, every cub, and every tomorrow.
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Together, these lions created more than a pride—they built a legacy. They thrived because they understood a simple truth: their greatest power lay in their unity. Through drought and flood, battles and betrayals, they endured—not as individuals, but as one.
That same spirit now lives on in the Central Pride Membership. Like the lions of Savuti, sporting clubs and teams succeed when every member plays their part. Leaders inspire, teammates support, and victories are shared. To join the Central Pride is to embrace the courage of Ntwadumela, the resilience of Mandevu, the wisdom of Sekoti, and the fierce heart of Matsui.
This is more than membership. It is belonging to a legacy—one where determination, loyalty, and teamwork forge something far greater than the individual.
The call of the Central Pride is clear: stand together, thrive together, win together.
