THE BIGGEST CATS in Africa, lions command and deserve repsect from any creature that enters their territory. Lions, which once roamed much further north in Africa, across the Arabian peninsula and into India, have inspired writers, singers, children, Disney and kings.
Three lions in the shade, Selous National Park, Tanzania. Shortly after, they set off in search of lunch.
One of 60-odd lions we saw in 6 months in Africa. This one is in Selous, Tanzania.
Two lionness relax in the shade, Selous National Park, Tanzania.
Curiousity.
Cubs jostle for position, South Luanga National Park, Zambia.
The kind you'd like to take home.
Waking up at 5 is worth it.
Well fed lions relax, South Luanga National Park.
Part of the 19 strong pride we encountered one morning in South Luanga National Park.
Masaai Mara National Park, Kenya.
Masaai Mara National Park, Kenya.
The front of our car gives you an idea of how close she is. Amboseli, Kenya.
A lion patrols a waterhole, Etosha National Park, Namibia.
As the sun went down, and the last vehicles returned to camp, a lioness came to drink. Etosha, Namibia.
A male follows a lioness, who has decided it's time...again. They will mate up to 20 times in a day when she says so!
And she wasn't going to let a few spectators stop her.
On a cold, windy day in Hwange, Zimbabwe, when sightings were few and far between, we drove and sat at the empty Dopi Pan.
After 20 minutes of nothing, a lone lioness came to drink. She stayed for over half an hour.
Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe, is one of the great bush experiences.
We found the game elusive, but another guide tipped us off to these lions at BBC camp.
Luck plays a big part in game viewing. Without that guide's tip, we may not have seen these beauties.
A similar size pride was caught on motion camera walking past our tent one night as we slept.
Looking content and fed, we left these cats after an hour or so. They were seen hours later finishing off a warthog!