Geography
The Kuuza-upanga, while travelers at heart, value their ancestral base of operations above all else. Their stronghold is near the Kokari Waterfall, named so after the first brawler brave enough to settle the land. The waterfall cascades down a massive cliffside into a deep watering hole that feeds into a larger jungle river. There is little land around the waterfall that isn’t covered in overgrown plant life. With so little open terrain many would pass this land in favor of more obvious pridal grounds, but that is why it is so prized to the Kuuza. This rough terrain makes it nearly impossible for outsiders to invade the real pride lands.
Following the narrow pathways surrounding the base of the Kokari, one of the two main entrances to the Kuuza’s base lies behind the waterfall. It is a small opening, a tight squeeze for larger lions, that leads to a massive system of underground tunnels. Though there are many passages to explore, the group itself chooses to focus on the wider, more stable tunnels just behind the Kokari. The dens are further up the cliff itself, closer to secret escape exits near the top where there is minimal risk of flooding. This is used as a denning area that is safe from outside forces, with the only exception being a large open space claimed for meetings. The second entrance opens in the grasslands above. However, because of it’s tiresome distance from the dens and frequent cave ins it is rarely used.
There are several smaller routes that lead to the ledges along side the cliff. These are generally avoided, as the water makes the stone extremely slippery. (Although in some hazing processes, new recruits are challenged to leap from these into the watering hole. It’s unfortunate that some don’t live to tell the tale of their bravery!)
While most prides would separate those of higher rank from the lessers, the Kuuza believe in the strength of unity. It is because of this that most, if not all, of the dens are near one another and nursing families are generally kept together in larger dens.
Although the base contains nothing more than a wild jungle, at the top of the Kokari lies a vast grassland. The vegetation grows thick to the East, but the West is prime hunting grounds for those brave enough to take the topside entrance route.
Weather & Climate
The Kuuza-upanga reside within one of Africa’s larger rainforests, and therefore are subject to its weather. Humidity swells high here, and keeps moisture trapped within the air, causing the already intense heat to seem much warmer than it actually is. There is some relief near the Kokari Waterfall, though most escape into the denning tunnels when a cooling break is needed. Geographically the heaviest rains fall in this region, and such, the Kuuza are prone to flash flooding. It is not advised to den in the lower tunnels for this reason.