Mhisi sprinted home as fast as his legs could carry him. In his haste, he ran straight past Phiri and Leholo, who had come to the border upon hearing Mhisi’s cries. He turned back to let them inspect him from head to tail. He was incredibly excited to be with Leholo again, rubbing necks and licking each other. Eagerly, he greeted his mother.

Born into the powerful Mavumbye Clan, young spotted hyena Mhisi must learn the complex rules of clan life under the watchful guidance of formidable female leaders. As he grows from vulnerable cub to skilled hunter, Mhisi encounters rival clans, predators, shifting alliances and devastating loss. From courtship rituals, fierce inter-clan conflict to maternal leadership, this book illuminates the remarkable resilience that enables hyenas to survive in one of Africa’s harshest and most competitive ecosystems.

As the Mavumbye Clan begins to collapse, can Mhisi survive the challenges ahead and build a new home?

Drawing on years of close observation and research of hyenas in the Kruger National Park, Joh Henschel brings the hidden world of spotted hyenas to life. Mhisi’s Clan challenges the myths surrounding one of Africa’s most misunderstood predators and reveals the extraordinary intelligence and social complexity of these fascinating animals.