Lion

(Panthera leo)

lion

Lions are the largest cats in Africa and the only true social cat in the world, living in prides that can number up to 20 or more. They are also one of the most sought-after species (if not the most sought-after) in the Kruger National Park.

Male
Female
male lion female

Shoulder height:

120cm / 47.2in

Shoulder height:

100cm / 39.4in

Weight:

150-225kg / 330-496lbs

Weight:

110-150kg / 240-330 lbs

Main pride role:

Mating and defending territory

Main pride role:

Feeding the pride and protecting cubs

Features:

Larger than female and has
mane

Features:

Smaller than male and has no mane


More lion facts:

Habitat:

Lions occur in a great variety of habitats throughout the world, from deserts to open savannas (with the exceptions of tropical forests and rugged mountain ranges); as long as the area can sustain enough prey for them to survive.

Active:

Lions are nocturnal hunters and sleep throughout most of the day... sometimes for as long as 20 hours!

Food:

Lions feed mostly on large herbivores. In the Kruger National Park, these include zebra, blue wildebeest and buffalo. They also catch smaller species like impala, or steal prey from other predators like leopards and spotted hyaenas.

Gestation:

3 and a half months

Cubs:

1-4 cubs (typically 3) at intervals of 20-30 months

Weaned:

Cubs are weaned after 7-9 months

Prides:

Between 3 and 30 individuals, but generally around 10-12 in the Kruger National Park. Prides may have more than one adult male, a few adult females and a number of cubs from different females.

In Kruger:

To learn more about how to find lions in Kruger, check out the right-hand sidebar.

 

Back to main mammals page

How to find lions in the Kruger National Park:

Stay at these camps:
Satara
Lower Sabie
Crocodile Bridge
Orpen/Maroela/Tamboti

Drive these roads:
H10 tar road
H7 tar road
S100 gravel road
H4-2 tar road
H4-1 tar road

Top tips:
Lions love lying on the warm tar in the morning, so try to be out early. A guided sunrise drive in the above-mentioned areas gives you the best chance to spot the king of the jungle.

Ask other visitors if they have found kills in the area, as lions can feed on large carcasses for more than a day. Check the camp sightings board for lion sightings.

Since lions are active at night, a guided night drive in good lion habitat gives you a sporting chance of finding these beasts.

Check out our Kruger lion gallery:lion gallery



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