Hello wschmidt;
It's my understanding that the so-called "Loewenorder", as an unofficial order/medal, came in two classes for combatant and non-combatant in Afrika.
However, as an unofficial award, it was possible to get BOTH awards

The silver pin-backed 1st class and the bronze 2nd class to put on a medal bar. At least until it was outlawed in the mid-thirties and only the HK could be worn on the bar.
The Elephant order was the official order for ALL colonial troops and it remained "legit" to wear through the TR period. I think the veteran groups created the Lion order for their afrika service where they felt they "fought" harder than the Tsingtau/Pacific Ocean troops.