The continent’s largest predator, weighing in at up to 225 kgs for males and 150 kgs for females, is simply magnificent, and for many, it’s an animal that epitomizes all the majesty, fierceness and raw beauty that is true wildness.
Although a vulnerable species on the world’s Red Data list confined mostly to big game reserves in Africa, around the world lions still represent nobility, leadership and courage in the human imagination. It’s no coincidence that their collective noun is a “pride”. National Parks such as Kruger are playing a critical role in the conservation of the species and Kruger’s lion population is healthy and widespread. Of the big cats, it is most likely that you will see lion on a Kruger safari.
One of the reasons for this is that lions do lead bold, extroverted lives. As the apex predator in the ecosystem, they have no reasons to hide. Lions are generally confident in their capacities to dominate Spotted Hyenas, Wild Dogs, Leopard and Cheetah. On their own they might not win every skirmish, but in a coalition, lions reign supreme.
Lions are distinct amongst wild cats for their sociability. They live in prides that can number up to 20 or more individuals. It is the lionesses that define the pride. They are a close-knit group of sisters with perhaps some aunts, girl cousins and daughters in their midst. Lionesses are so bonded they can even synchronise their births so that they can collaborate in raising cubs. They actively strengthen their relationships with endearing displays of affection towards each other.
Together, lionesses are formidable, well-coordinated hunters taking down prey as large as buffalos, wildebeest and zebra. They are fierce defenders of the pride’s territory against other predators. When it comes to the well-being of the pride, lionesses do the literal lion’s share of the work and their whole life is spent in service to the pride they were born into.
Male lions, sporting their magnificent manes, live lives that are more fluid. They too, form close, affectionate bonds, but just with a few other males, often their brothers. Finding and then maintaining a territory is their chief concern and they prioritise keeping roaming male lions away from their pride of lionesses and offspring or are focused on taking over one. This is a strenuous endeavour involving much roaring and hours of chasing, posturing and intimidating, but also fighting.
Male lions do put a lot of effort into avoiding the violence of a fight against each other, but if deterrence doesn’t work, they must go into battle. These territorial disputes between competing male lion coalitions or individuals can be ferocious, resulting in injuries that can be life-changing, and sometimes death. That glorious, luxurious mane of a male lion is not actually about its good looks, it’s there to add a much-needed layer of protection to the back of the neck and the throat, two favourite spots for lions to deliver a death bite. When you have a close encounter with a male lion of a certain age on your Kruger safari, it is likely you will notice his battle scars.
Life in the pride though, is also pretty lazy. Many of our guests enjoy sightings of lions lolling in the shade of the bushveld trees, often lying on their backs with their big, tawny paws in the air. How is it possible that these fierce, powerful predators can also look so cute and cuddly? Well, we recognise that lions show affection just like our domestic cats – it’s all the same, they snuggle, purr, pat with soft paws, rub against each other’s sides, cheeks and foreheads, and enjoy grooming each other. We’re drawn in because more than any other wild cat when they are relaxed and satisfied, lions can look as if as they are very big versions of perfectly huggable kitties.
Whether your Kruger Park sightings of lion are looking into the primordially unsettling golden eyes of a male on patrol or watching adorable cubs gambolling playfully around sleepy adults, it will be an African safari experience you will never forget. Likewise, the sounds of lions roaring back and forth across the darkness of the African night will not fail to thrill you to your core. An interesting fact is that the sound of lions roaring can travel over 5 kilometres. With our location right across the Sabie River at the Paul Kruger Gate, during your stay you will be well within earshot.