Seeing lions while on safari is a true highlight for anyone - they really are awe-inspiring animals. 

Quite often though, when we find lions in the bush they’re fast asleep! In fact, lions can sleep for around 20 hours a day, so to see them doing anything at all really is special.

While on safari in Zambia we were lucky enough to find this pride of lion in Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park. The scene before us was beautiful and peaceful. The tender look of the magnificent dominant male lion looking ‘lovingly’ into the eyes of his young cub. The young cub looking ‘admiringly’ into the eyes of his father, still at that wonderful age when kids think their parents can do no wrong (why does that have to end so soon?).

This connection that we witnessed before us spoke volumes about the social structure of the only gregarious wild cats in Africa (aside from coalitions formed by male cheetah).

As many of you will know, lions form social groups known as 'prides'. These prides are primarily led by lionesses, who are almost always related; sisters, cousins, aunts etc. The lionesses form what is known as a 'home-range', which, depending on the habitats the lions are found in, can range hugely in size.

As you can see from the scarred face of the male in the picture below, it’s not always plain sailing. At around two years old, male lions are kicked out of their pride, chased away by the lionesses and the dominant males. 

The newly nomadic young males will form coalitions, typically with their brothers or cousins of a similar age. Over the course of the next two to three years, these young nomads must avoid other coalitions of dominant males until they feel they are strong enough to challenge for a pride of their own.

If these young adults are successful in overthrowing the current dominant males, tragedy is typically not far behind. The new males will kill any young cubs, male or female, in their new pride so they can secure their own blood-lines and avoid competition in years to come. 

While females will fight hard to defend their cubs, their efforts are more than often in vain. The females quickly come back into oestrous, mate and deliver new cubs 110 days or so after conception, and then the whole cycle starts over again. 

Male lions have a tough life competing for dominance and power, and generally protecting their pride. We think they've very well earned their 20 hours of sleep per day.