King Misuzulu KaZwelithini arrived at KwaKhangalemankengane palace in Nongoma.
He entered the kraal and was ushered straight to inhlambelo (a sacred corner in the royal kraal) where only him and few royal elders were allowed to enter.
While no cameras were allowed, IOL can reveal that he was covered with the wet skin of the lion he overpowered and killed during the royal hunt he led on Thursday evening at Mkuze falls game reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
As he entered the kraal enroute to inhlambelo, the regiments who singing and chanting traditional songs went dead silent.
Among those who escorted him were elders from the Zulu and Swati royal families