Game reserves: Best for lion observation is the Kalahari Park (South Africa) and second best is the Etosha Park (Namibia). In the Kruger Park (South Africa), there are some 1500 of the big cats, but it is not always easy to spot a lion. There are also lions in Umfolozi (Natal), in the small Soetdoring Game Reserve near Bloemfontein, in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve near Johannesburg and in many private game parks.

Lion

The sighting of a lion or even of a pride of lions is one of the most desirable highlights of any visit to a game reserve. Hours can pass, especially watching the clumsily frolicking young cubs, and one can easily forget how dangerous they are going to be.

Lions almost exclusively prey on plant-eating hoofed mammals. After having killed their prey, they usually eat the intestine first, and the meat only afterwards. Hunting is done primarily by the female, but the males, nevertheless, get the "lion's share" of the prey. Lions weigh up to 200 kg. While attacking, they can reach a speed of 50 km/h and jump up to 12 metres.