When the world opens up again, there are plenty of people who are making Africa their number one destination and will, of course, plan a safari. There's something so incredibly intense about watching a wild animal in their natural territory, especially such a predator like a big cat. While on safari, many people have the chance to witness animal royalty: Lions.

These animals have a tremendous sense of self-awareness and are one of the most skilled hunters in the wild. With precision attacks, stealthy movements, and laser-like focus, there's no question about it - having the chance to see one of these animals in action, in person, is an unbelievable experience.

There's plenty to learn about these majestic hunters and the best way to do that is to observe them in the wild. With so many places throughout Africa where it is possible to encounter big cats, there are some that are more populated than others. Depending on where a traveler chooses to go, they might have the chance to see multiple types of lions, as well.

Serengeti And Masai Mara

African Budget Safaris has put together an extensive guide to Africa's best and most affordable safari trips, and the Serengeti and Masai Mara are two locations they reference for seeing the most lions in one place, also known as a pride of lions. This is where the densest population of lions is so for those who are banking on seeing a lion during their first safari, it's here that they'd want to plan a trip.

With a year-round migration of wildebeest being ongoing, it's not surprising that lions are constantly in this territory while on the hunt for food. For those in Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park is the best place to see lions while in Kenya, the Masai Mara is the best place to be.

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Duba Plains

For the largest and arguably the strongest lions in Africa, the Duba Plains are a must-visit. The lions here feast on buffalo which helps them to grow into strong, lean predators. With a substantial water source readily available, these lions have been able to find a near-perfect location to settle into their habitat.

Constantly running through fields and lakes in order to take down their prey has also added to their muscle mass and for those who are lucky enough to watch a hunt in action, the power in one lion is truly unbelievable. It's estimated that these lions grow to be about 15% larger than any others in the region.

Timbavati And Sanbona

White lions are sacred to the Tsonga people and it's believed that they are sacred and to be revered. While the lions live on protected land in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, they're still an incredibly rare species as their white coloring is caused by a mutation called leucism.

According to African Budget Safaris, many who have been lucky enough to encounter these incredibly white lions compare it to that of a spiritual experience. The lions themselves can be seen with blue eyes and pink noses, or brown eyes and black noses.

Kalahari Desert

Black Maned lions were built for living in the desert which is why the Kalahari Desert is the perfect place to see them in action.

These are also the lions that most people recognize as they're seen throughout the Serengeti and on the Kruger Reserve as well. These black maned lions congregate near water sources as the winter months roll in, and the best time to see them in-person is during the months of April through October.

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Chobe

It's not entirely impossible to witness a lion on the hunt or while at odds with another big cat species. However, in order to do this, a person must venture into lion territory that's also home to other predatory animals.

The best place to find a safari such as this is in Chobe National Park, where lions co-exist with hyenas and leopards. There, territorial clashes as well as battles over food sources are fairly common. If travelers are lucky, they'll also have the chance to see the African wild dog, also known as the African painted wolf, which is a critically endangered species.

Bonus: Big City Cat Encounters

It's also not uncommon for these big cats to make their way into more populated areas of Africa, such as Cape Town, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. In Nairobi, specifically, the Nairobi National Park is located only seven miles outside of the city, where animals such as lions, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards often roam not far from the city outskirts.

Around Cape Town, there are a total of five reserves that are not far by any means from the city center. The reserves are a bit further outside of Johannesburg if that's the chosen destination, but still close enough to be seen in one day.

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