Planning a trip to Kruger National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
Your chances of seeing Lion in Kruger National Park
Needs some luck. Lion live in Kruger National Park, but you need a good drive or some luck to see them. opspoor shows you where they've been seen recently, so you know which roads to drive.
When to see Lion in Kruger National Park
Lion are most active early morning (04:00 to 08:00), late afternoon into dusk (16:00 to 20:00) and at night (18:00 to 06:00). In the heat of the day (10:00 to 16:00) Lion usually rest in shade, so scan under trees and in thickets. Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Lion's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Kruger National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Lion in Kruger National Park: best roads and waterholes
Drive
S36 Nhlanguleni Road, H1-1 Napi Road and S114 Old Main Road run through open grassland and mixed bushveld: good country for Lion.
- S36 Nhlanguleni Road71.4 km · open grassland and mixed bushveld
- H1-1 Napi Road55.7 km · mixed bushveld and open grassland
- S114 Old Main Road50.2 km · mixed bushveld and open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Lion have actually been seen recently.
Wait at water
Lion are drawn to water, especially in the dry season (May to October), so waiting at a waterhole is one of the best ways to see them.
Recent Lion sightings in Kruger National Park
About the Lion
The lion is Africa's largest big cat and one of the continent's most recognisable predators. It has a powerful muscular body, short tawny coat and, in adult males, a prominent mane whose colour and size vary between individuals. Lions are highly social compared with most cats, living in prides consisting primarily of related females, their offspring and a coalition of males. They are apex predators that mainly hunt large mammals such as antelope, zebra and buffalo, although they also scavenge when opportunities arise.
How to identify the Lion
Large, powerful cat with a tawny to golden coat, rounded ears and a long tail ending in a dark tuft. Adult males develop a prominent mane, while females lack a mane. Cubs have rosettes and spots that gradually fade with age.
Other species to look for in Kruger National Park
Other parks where you can see Lion
Easiest first.
Heading to Kruger National Park? opspoor shows where Lion have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.