A close view of an African lion in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

25 majestic lion photos

These breathtaking images highlight the beauty of this keystone species.

A close view of an African lion in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Photograph by Chris Johns
August 8, 2025

Oftentimes referred to as the “king of the jungle,” lions are highly social and intelligent creatures. These big cats are also critical to maintaining the health of their ecosystem.

National Geographic Explorers and photographers work diligently to safeguard future lion populations. Learn more at NationalGeographic.org.

Portrait of a sub-adult male lion from the Huab pride at sunset.
Portrait of a sub-adult male lion from the Huab pride at sunset.
Photograph by Chris Schmid
Lion cubs play on communal lands in the Tarangire ecosystem.
Lion cubs play on communal lands in the Tarangire ecosystem.
Photograph by Laly Lichtenfeld
A sub-adult male desert lion in the shade in the Huab Valley, Namibia.
A sub-adult male desert lion in the shade in the Huab Valley, Namibia.
Photograph by Chris Schmid
A lion cub playing on and around a termite mound in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
A lion cub playing on and around a termite mound in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
A male lion in the bush in northern Tanzania.
A male lion in the bush in northern Tanzania.
Photograph by Laly Lichtenfeld
Lion overlooking the delta.
Lion overlooking the delta. 
Photograph by Sandesh Kadur/National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project
A lion cub rests on a tree branch in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A lion cub rests on a tree branch in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A lion pushes on through a gritty wind in the Nossob Riverbed in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, South Africa.
A lion pushes on through a gritty wind in the Nossob Riverbed in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, South Africa.
Photograph by Chris Johns
A portrait of a male lion in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
A portrait of a male lion in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Photograph by Charlie Hamilton James
A lioness with cub rests in the Serengeti plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A lioness with cub rests in the Serengeti plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A close up of a Lion sleeping in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
A close up of a Lion sleeping in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
A lion cub rests in a tree in Serengeti National Park in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A lion cub rests in a tree in Serengeti National Park in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A dark-maned male lion known as C-Boy in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A dark-maned male lion known as C-Boy in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A collared lion stares down camera in the Zambeze Delta area of Mozambique.
A collared lion stares down camera in the Zambeze Delta area of Mozambique.
Photograph by Ami Vitale
A lioness licking a cub. Social licking helps to reinforce the social bonds within the pride. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A lioness licking a cub. Social licking helps to reinforce the social bonds within the pride. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A female African lion resting in a tree near the Zambezi River, Zambia.
A female African lion resting in a tree near the Zambezi River, Zambia.
Photograph by Chris Johns
A male lion rests in a field in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
A male lion rests in a field in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Photograph by Charlie Hamilton James
An adult male lion, C-Boy, and a Vumbi female relax between matings in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
An adult male lion, C-Boy, and a Vumbi female relax between matings in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A remote camera car captures lionesses resting on a rocky outcrop in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A remote camera car captures lionesses resting on a rocky outcrop in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A curious lion cub in the plains of the Serengeti in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A curious lion cub in the plains of the Serengeti in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A lion roams through foggy brush in the Zambeze Delta area of Mozambique.
A lion roams through foggy brush in the Zambeze Delta area of Mozambique.
Photograph by Ami Vitale
A dark-maned male lion known as C-Boy in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A dark-maned male lion known as C-Boy in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A lioness licking a cub. Social licking helps to reinforce the social bonds within the lion pride. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A lioness licking a cub. Social licking helps to reinforce the social bonds within the lion pride. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A portrait of an African lion, Yerga, at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife, Jerash, Jordan.
A portrait of an African lion, Yerga, at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife, Jerash, Jordan.
Photograph by Muhammed Muheisen
This work is funded by the National Geographic Society.