A pride will generally consist of one to three dominant males and two or three eyeing the throne, sometimes of the same litter, with several females and their cubs. The pride often splits into smaller groups and reunites periodically.  Once male cubs reach about two and a half years, the dominant males drive them out of the pride’s territory.

Generally fawn or yellowish-brown with white bellies, lions’ colouring can vary greatly.  Around Timbavati & Associated Reserves near one of our most revered protected areas, there’s even a small community of white lions. The mane is usually sandy, but the dramatic black-maned Lions like the incredible specimens we see in the Kalahari Concession are few and far between on the continent.

Lionesses feed the pride by hunting as a pack.  They mostly prey on zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and large antelope, but will opportunistically take smaller prey such as impala or porcupine.  Stealth hunters, lionesses stalk their prey through the long grass or lie in ambush near a water source.

Dominant males feed before the females and are excellent hunters themselves often assisting the lionesses with their strength and might to bring down large prey such as giraffe and buffalo.

The roar of a male lion can be heard from over six kilometres away.  They will often roar after a kill or when trying to locate other members of the pride or to ward off unwanted males in their territory.  Females use a brief, quieter roar when calling their cubs.