MammalsVulnerable

African Lion

✓ Reviewed by Nhongo Safaris Field Guide · Updated 4 November 2026

African Lion at a glance

Height1.1–1.2 m at the shoulder
Weight150–250 kg (males), 110–180 kg (females)
Length2.4–3.3 m including the tail
Lifespan10–14 years in the wild
DietZebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and giraffe
Pride sizeUsually 5–15 lions, built around related females
ActiveMostly at night, and resting up to 20 hours a day
GestationAbout 110 days, usually 2–4 cubs
Conservation statusVulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Track and paw print

Roughly 10–14 cm across, with no claw marks because the claws are retracted. Males leave the largest prints.

Lesser-known facts

A lion's roar can be heard from as far as 8 km away. Lions roar to mark their territory and to call the pride back together, most often at night and around dawn.

The lionesses do most of the hunting, working together to surround their prey. The males defend the pride's territory and often eat first once the kill is made.

Lions sleep for up to 20 hours a day to save energy. Cubs are born with faint spots on their coats, and the spots fade as they grow.

Where to spot it in Kruger

Scan open plains such as those around Satara, and shady spots near waterholes in the midday heat. Dawn and dusk are the best times, and you may hear them roar first.

Guide tip

Watch for vultures dropping from the sky and listen for roaring at dawn and dusk. Either can point you towards a pride.

Photo gallery

Questions and answers

Where is the best place to see lions in Kruger?

Lions live throughout the park, but open plains and areas near waterholes and rivers give the best views, because that is where their prey gathers. The plains in the central region, around Satara, are well known for lions.

How many lions are there in Kruger National Park?

Kruger is home to roughly 1,500 to 2,000 lions, though the number changes from year to year. It is one of the largest lion populations in Africa.

Do lions only hunt at night?

Lions hunt mostly at night and in the cooler hours around dawn and dusk, when they can creep up on prey unseen. They rest for up to 20 hours a day, which is why you often find them lying in the shade.

What do lions eat in Kruger?

Yes, lions are wild predators and deserve great respect. On a self-drive, stay inside your vehicle at all times and keep arms and heads inside. On a guided safari, follow your guide's instructions.

Are lions dangerous to visitors?

Yes, lions are wild predators and deserve great respect. On a self-drive, stay inside your vehicle at all times and keep arms and heads inside. On a guided safari, follow your guide's instructions.

Best time to see the African Lion

Best months: May–Sep

In the dry winter months the grass is short and animals gather at waterholes and rivers, so lions are easier to find. Early mornings and late afternoons are best.

Watch the African Lion

About the African Lion

The African lion is the largest predator in the Kruger National Park, and the only truly social cat. Lions live in groups called prides, made up of related lionesses and their cubs, guarded by one or a few adult males. The famous mane marks the male, and darker, fuller manes often belong to stronger, healthier lions.

The lionesses do most of the hunting, working as a team to stalk and surround their prey, while the males defend the pride’s territory and announce it with a roar that can carry up to 8 km. Young males leave the pride when they are two to three years old and wander until they are strong enough to take over a pride of their own.

For most of the day lions simply rest, so the best sightings come in the cooler hours around dawn and dusk. On a guided drive, your field guide reads signs such as fresh tracks, alarm calls and gathering vultures to find the pride and position the vehicle for the best view.