Lions in Africa: tips for your African lion safari and all about these African big cats

The African lion is the apex predator of the African wilderness. These powerful felines are one of the famous Big 5 safari animals, and there is nothing quite like hearing them roar in the African night, or coming eye-to-eye with these impressive hunters. Lion encounters return us to our primordial roots, chill our blood, and realise - in no uncertain terms, that in the safari environment of the African bush, we are no longer at the top of the food chain. Read on to learn more about these African big cats and the African lion safari experience.

The African lion: Panthera leo

The African lion is the uncontested king of the African big cats. Weighing between 120 and 200 kilograms (265 to 420 lb) and measuring up to 2 meters long without the tail. In size, lions are second only to the Asiatic tiger. The African lion is an adaptable and resilient species, found across diverse habitats across the African continent. From the grassy expanses of the Serengeti to the deciduous woodlands of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, the deserts of western Namibia, and the classic bushveld of the Kruger National Park. African lions have even been documented above 4000 meters in the mountains of Ethiopia and on the peaks of Kilimanjaro. Despite being dubbed the King of the Jungle, dense rainforests are the only habitat that lions avoid. The adaptability of the African lion once saw it roam widely across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

The most social African big cats

Lions are unique amongst felines because of their social habits and family structure. Cats are usually solitary animals but lions are the antithesis of solitude. A lion pride can be as small as three cats but can include up to forty lions of all ages. An average lion pride consists of about 15 individual cats. Two or three – related or unrelated – male lions protect a core of related females and cubs of various ages. The social structure of the pride, an extended family unit, requires teamwork and the division of labour. Male lions are responsible for driving off threats and protecting their pride lands while female lions must hunt, bear and raise young.

These African big cats are incredibly affectionate. Though lions can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, these rest periods are also punctuated by social interactions, that is to say, cuddles. Related female lions tend to stick together and rest times where they groom one another and play, are thought to reinforce these bonds. Male lions, who form coalitions with their age mates, also tend to stick together. Both male and female African lions can roar; a sound synonymous with the African bush, which can be heard up to 8km away! Hearing lions roar as the sun sets is an exhilarating experience and one of the highlights of any African lion safari.

African lion territory and diet

The size of a lion pride corresponds with the size of the territory and this, in turn, is dependent on the availability of food. In the Kruger National Park, for example, lion density is much lower in the north as the environment is drier, and prey animals are more spread out. Central and southern Kruger Park has more water, and more vegetation, and therefore supports more animals. It stands to reason then, that if you want to see Kruger National Park lions, head south and central.

Lions are carnivorous and will hunt and eat anything from mice, small deer, wildebeests, zebras, and buffalos, all the way to hippos, giraffes, and elephants. Hunting larger game like hippos, giraffes, and elephants is risky business however and lions will often only approach these large herbivores as a last resort. Being the king of the African big cats has its perks and lions are happy to steal prey from smaller cats like leopards and cheetahs and they are not above eating carrion.

Where do lions live in Africa? (best places for African lion safaris)

A highly adaptable species, lions were once distributed all across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Today, however, these African big cats are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, due to a combination of hunting, declining prey numbers, and shrinking habitats. For an African lion safari in the wild, you need to travel to the big spaces, Kruger National Park, the Serengeti, Kgalagadi, and Botswana. However, not all lion safari adventures are equal.

Firstly, lions are wild animals and wild animals are difficult to predict. Add to this their habit of roaming over large territories, and you are never guaranteed a wild lion sighting. Different destinations also provide different experiences. The Serengeti National Park has the highest density of lions, while the desert lions of the Kalahari have black manes. Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire in Tanzania are famous for their tree-climbing lions. The man-eating lions of Tsavo are legendary, and the biggest lions in Africa are found in the Okavango Delta at Duba Plains. Ever heard of the sacred white lions of Timbivati? The most ferocious lions, gauged by their habit of regularly taking down buffalo and elephants are to be found in the Savuti Marshes. You can read more about seeing African lions in the wild here: The Best Wild Lion Safaris in Africa.

What to avoid on your African lion safari

When you're on an African lion safari, there are a few dos and don'ts to keep in mind. The dos are easy, on a self-drive safari, when encountering lions, stay in your car and do not attempt to feed these African big cats. On a guided African safari, listen carefully to your experienced safari guide who will be able to keep you safe, but also get you close enough for unforgettable lion encounters. Without going into too much detail, here are some things to avoid.

Do not pet lions. This is one of the most heinous industries in South Africa. No matter what they tell you, a captive lion will never be and can never be released into the wild. Lion petting is a way for unscrupulous factory farmers to squeeze every bit of money out of lions which are seen as a resource and a product. A petted lion has a future in a cage, as a canned lion trophy, or as lion bones and skin that will be sold to Asian markets, A canned hunt is when a hand-reared tamed lion is sold to the highest bidder to be released into a pen and then shot at close quarters. It is not a fair fight and the lions have nowhere to hide. “Hunters” pay up to US$ 38,000 to shoot a tame lion that is often baited and drugged to make it easier to kill. These operations are motivated by profit and have nothing to do with conservation. You can learn more by reading The Predator Trap or visiting the campaign against canned hunting.

When on a self-drive lion safari DO NOT hang out of, or get out of your car. Lions may look like they are half asleep but these apex predators, in addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with the bush, can go from snuggly feline to cold-blooded killer faster than you can hit record on your mobile phone. It is just not worth the risk. Luckily for you, it is also illegal. You can read more here: Safety on African Safaris.

For more info on what NOT to Do on an African safari, see The Essential Safari Anti-Bucket List - Things to Avoid & Helpful Alternatives.

How to book an African lion safari

This is the fun part. It is also the part where we at African Budget Safaris get to help you plan, book, and experience an African lion safari. First, if you want to know more about where lions are see the best places to see lions in Africa.  

If you know exactly where you want to go, then head to our safari destination guides where you can browse African safaris by destination. Alternatively, if you'd rather talk to a human, contact African Budget Safaris today and one of our friendly consultants will be happy to answer any of your African travel, lion safari, safari preparation, or destination queries.