I held my breath and my heart stopped beating as the lions walked no more than 10 feet (3.048 meters) from Joan’s truck, just ambling past up the road. The lion is the second largest living cat in the world after the tiger, and we were in a Toyota at Kruger National Park.
Panthera leo evolved in Africa between 1 million and 800,000 years ago.
Sunrise R531 East, Mpumalanga
It rained a little the night before entering Kruger National Park. The air smelled a clean green like no other than Mpumalanga Lowveld, a low subtropical woodland region with thick scrubby trees and dense thickets of thorn bushes with grassy undercover between.
First two females walked past, one stopping to call for cubs with her gentle yet insistent “cha…cha…cha” voice, like “it’s all clear.” Females can mate throughout the year with a 110 day gestation period then typically birth 3-4 cubs. Lions live on average 10 to 15 years in the wild, longer in captivity.
Next five cubs strolled past with the confidence of youth in numbers. Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black backed jackals. They begin hunting at about 11 months and stay with their mothers for two years. Lion populations are untenable outside of designated reserves and national parks primarily due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans.
The males sauntered in behind and promptly plopped down on the warm tarmac/asphalt. Males can weigh in excess of 550 pounds (250 kilograms) and boast impressive manes of a long hair fringe that encircles their heads.
They were patient with the cubs and appeared to be brothers, almost like regreeting each other after time apart. Fiercely protective of his pride, or family unit, male lions patrol a vast territory normally covering about 100 square miles (260 square kilometers).
Finally, an old female carrying her long life scars brought up the rear. Female lions are the pride’s primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and other large animals of the open grasslands. Many of these animals are faster than lions, so teamwork pays off. They normally eat about twice a week yet many lion hunts are surprisingly unsuccessful because they lack stamina and even though they can run up to 35 mph (60 kmh) they can only sustain it for awhile.
They all moved like no one else was around, not a care in the world except to enjoy the warmth radiating up from the pavement while several car loads of visitors stayed in their cages and watched in amazement clicking as many photographs as possible. Myself included.
Lions are the only cats that live in groups called prides, a family unit that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride’s lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male.
They can sleep for up to 24 hours a day.
I had no concept of time or how long we sat mesmerized. Eventually I remembered to take some video. Have to admit I’m no cinematographer, and hope at least a small clip will download.
Both male and female lions roar, and that roar can be heard over five miles away.
Lions weren’t the first wildlife seen on this first day in Kruger National Park. We saw all the Big 5, plus more.
Yikes, that would scare the heck out of me. Fantastic post.
http://www.ewok1993.wordpress.com
OMG! Gaelyn! How magnificent they are and your photos are terrific! How I would have love to be right where you were and be able to watch them enjoying the warmth of the tarmac! Seeing them in their own environment! What a fantastic trip you had and I'm so happy for you — envious, but happy! Have a great week!
Sylvia
I didn't realize a pride had so many lions in it. I was just thinking that they didn't look very threatening but when I got to the last photo…yikes! Fantastic images and video!
Gaelyn WOW! What a cool sighting and a great post. I would have loved to have been there too. Your photos are wonderful.
That looks like a good time for the GoGirl! The big male looks like Clarence the cross eyed lion.
Oh, my goodness! You hit the lion jackpot, Gaelyn. Great photos and information.
They look almost approachable as they are so relaxed. But I wouldn't have been out of the car! What a wonderful set of photos.
aloha,
what a wonderful day today is visiting your corner of the world and seeing this whole pride, i guess they must love the asphalt and are used to cars and humans traveling through this preserve….thanks for showing this to us!
What an amazing sight! I know you were thrilled to see them.
'Awesome' is the best word I can think of right now to describe your trip, as well as the experience at the sweat lodge with your special friend! You are living a lifestyle that so many of us can only dream of. Eager to see many more posts about your trip.
'Louisiana Reader'
Beautiful shots. They are gorgeous. Good to see the harmony.
Incredible photos. They remind me of the bisn at Yellowstone who move when they want to and not a second before.
What an incredible post Gaelyn. I am sitting here chuckling to myself reading it as I was so awed at seeing them, I forgot to give you most of the interesting facts about them!! You did manage to find the info for yourself though. 🙂 Lousy guide I was hey? 🙂
Wow! Gaelyn! How unbelievably beautiful to capture nature at her finest like this! I am breathless…probably not the place to park the car and take a hike 🙂
Wow!
See, even experienced guides like Joan still gets awed when they see lions. When I used to guide and went to Addo every day, I still got excited every time I saw the elephants. People thought I would get tired of it, but I never did.
They are absolutely spectacular!!!!
Wow Gaelyn;) even for a South African, these photos are awesome. You captured the whole laid-back essence of lions. I'm so glad you saw so much in the park. (((Hugs))) Jo
So interesting to read the post and see the photos… whoa, I might get a little nervous driving by them.
Gaelyn: My what an encounter, they a wonderful. They look too wild to be on road.
Wow…amazing big cats….
These are great pics! Those lazy pussycats looked quite harmless… until the last photo. Yikes!
How cool! What a wonderful experience!
This is just wonderful! I’m amazed that you were able to hold your hands steady enough to get these fabulous pictures! Thanks for sharing them…I love the family interactions.
Most of the 100 or so photos I took were pretty fuzzy from all the shaking.
What a wonderful post Gaelyn and brings back such great memories. Maybe we will have another day of seeing the big 5?
I sure hope so.
You hit the lion jackpot, Gaelyn. I bet your arm and finger got tired from all that steadying and clicking! Great photos!
I had to remind myself to breath. Hope I get this lucky again on the next visit.
Wonderfull fotos and video,gret meet., greeting from Belgium
I like the idea of the humans staying in their cages while the lions roam free. Mind you, I’m glad they don’t roam free around here.
Me too, on both accounts.
Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you. Soon I hope to see lions again.
To hear lions roar in their natural world, fantastic!. I can’t imagine what this must have been like. Great pics and video.
Thanks Denise. It’s an experience like no other. I miss this sound. Highly recommend a safari.
Wow, awesome stills and video.
Thanks Alan.