No matter how often you visit our national parks and game reserves or how many encounters you have with these regal cats, you just don’t get blasé about seeing Lions in the wild. Our most recent visit to the southern Kruger National Park earlier this month delivered some very exciting and some not so exciting, but still very memorable, sightings of Lions.

Our first Lion sighting of the trip came at the bridge over the Nwatimhiri River, where a small pride of lionesses and youngsters were lying in the long grass and trying their best to blend in with their surroundings.

Lioness in the Nwatimhiri River (photo by Joubert)

Lionesses in the Nwatimhiri River (photo by Joubert)

Lionesses in the Nwatimhiri River (photo by Joubert)

Lionesses in the Nwatimhiri River

Not much further we found the Lubyelubye pride walking along the road with a cavalcade of vehicles following them. As they walked past our vehicle they were close enough to touch, not that we’re foolish enough to ever attempt that – watch how carefully Joubert videos the passing procession from inside the car! 😉

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

The Lubyelubye lions walking along the road, just north of Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Early the next morning we were on our way from Skukuza to Tshokwane when we came across three lionesses stalking a zebra in dense growth. The zebra did not notice the lions until it almost step on the closest one, but it still got away! Thrilling to watch for us but I thought I saw a rather miffed expression on the faces of the lions…

Lions failing at their zebra hunting attempt

Lions failing at their zebra hunting attempt

Lions failing at their zebra hunting attempt

Lions failing at their zebra hunting attempt

Lions failing at their zebra hunting attempt (photo by Joubert)

Sometimes you have to work really hard for even a glimpse of a lion, as this one relaxing in the shade in the heat of the day proves.

Being out of the camp gates as soon as they open improves your chances of finding the lions up and active. On our final morning in the Kruger National Park we found this group of 4 lionesses walking over the Sand River Causeway.

Lioness in the dark of early morning

Lioness in the dark of early morning

We were still wondering where the males associated with the group of female’s we’d just seen could be, when we found these two lazing on the Marula Loop road only about 2km further.

Very tired male lion wondering why he decided to sleep on the road… (photo by Joubert)

Very tired male lion wondering why he decided to sleep on the road…

Very tired male lion wondering why he decided to sleep on the road…

Very tired male lion wondering why he decided to sleep on the road…

Very tired male lion wondering why he decided to sleep on the road…

And then getting up to find a quiter spot for his early morning lie-in (photo by Joubert)

If seeing lions in the wild is on your wish list we’d love for you to join DeWetsWild on a guided tour of the Kruger National Park or to help you arrange a self-guided visit. Don’t hesitate to reach out!