Top five safari parks for seeing lions in the wild

As The Lion King celebrates its 15-year anniversary in London this week, our safari expert reveals Africa's top five parks for lion spotting

1. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Renowned as the home of walking safaris, this beautiful wooded valley offers the opportunity of approaching lions on foot – albeit from a safe distance. Or you can see them on a regular morning or afternoon game drive. Lions share the Valley with a big leopard population and you should see both of these magnificent carnivores during your stay. Excellent choice of camps including Tena Tena, Tafika, Puku Ridge. Chinzombo and Kuyenda.

When to go: Best for lions is October when all the game is concentrated along the Luangwa River.

2. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The greatest slice of wildlife real estate in Africa and renowned for its lion prides. This is where the BBC filmed “The Big Cat Diary” and where Disney filmed “African Cats.” The Musiara Pride (aka The Big Cat Diary’s Marsh Lions) still rule the roost near Governor’s Camp. Notch, the famous Musiara pride male is no more but his four feisty sons are still around.

When to go: Any time except during the long rains of April and May.

3. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

At least as big as the Serengeti but less well known in spite of a flourishing lion population. Ruaha itself is as wild and remote as you could wish for. To get there, fly first to the Selous and then go the extra mile. You won’t regret it – especially if you stay at Mwagusi Safari Camp in the pulsating heart of the Ruaha’s prime lion country.

When to go: Any time except during the long rains of April and May.

4. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Set in the midst of the Kalahari thirstlands, Africa’s biggest oasis is an earthly paradise for all the big cats with its abundant prey and bountiful waters. Mombo, a five-star camp in the depths of the Delta, likes to call itself the predator capital of Africa, and Duba Plains is renowned for its confrontations between hungry lions and big herds of buffaloes.

When to go: July to September.

5. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

One of the few places in Africa where lions are not in decline. Latest figures put the Serengeti’s lion population at around 3,000. The biggest prides occupy the open plains in the south of the park between the Naabi Gate and the Seronera River. If you’re lucky you may find them posing on the granite kopjes that rise like ruined castles from the grass.

When to go: Between December and March when the wildebeest are calving.