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Is the lion cub thinking we're a threat?

How does Lioness with Cubs Cross the Road?

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Your answer is as good as any. However, looking at the location and direction, the lionesses with cubs crossed the road to get a drink from Chobe river in Botswana’s incredible Chobe National Park.

During our 14-day trip in Southern Africa, we nearly missed seeing lionesses with cubs. A safari truck driving behind us tried to signal us frantically because he sensed some lion activity in progress. However, we were ecstatic from watching the leopards and didn’t notice the Safari truck chasing us. Finally, the other driver chased us down, crossed us and told us to turn around and follow them. It was generous of him to risk missing the lion activity, just to give us the lead.

Why did the Lioness cross the road with cubs? Who cares! The more important question is – HOW did the lioness with cubs cross the road? 

The process of taking cubs out for a drink is rather elaborate and well thought through. In fact, the whole process of raising cubs is fascinating. Usually, lion cubs are raised by multiple lionesses helping out the mom. While a lioness aunt watches the kids, the mom can bring food and do the chores.

Getting back to ‘how the lioness and cubs crossed the road’ – As we watched in anticipation, a lioness emerged from the bushes. She stood there for a while to carefully inspect the path.

The Lioness ensured we looked harmless in Chobe National Park of Botswana.
The Lioness ensured we looked harmless
The lioness in Chobe looked to her right and forward for any lurking dangers.
The lioness looked to her right and forward for any lurking dangers.

There are many dangers for cubs in the jungle, especially for male cubs. Very few male cubs will reach adulthood. Among the many dangers, cubs get killed by lions that are not their father.

Once satisfied the lioness signaled the cubs and started walking towards the Chobe river in Botswana.
Once satisfied the lioness signaled the cubs and started walking towards the Chobe river in Botswana.

One cub stepped out after a mommy lioness. Gradually other cubs followed suit.

The first brave cub stepped out to take a peek in Botswana's Chobe National Park.
The first brave cub stepped out to take a peek. 
One cub in Chobe National Park kept their eyes locked on us while the siblings crossed the road.
One cub kept their eyes locked on us while the siblings crossed the road.
The cub kept watching us. I wonder if the cub was keeping an eye on us or just curious or mesmerized or posing for us. I wish there was a way to talk to wildlife in Chobe national park.
The cub kept watching us. I wonder if the cub was keeping an eye on us or just curious or mesmerized or posing for us.
Eventually our little cub friend moved on too, heading to Chobe river.
Eventually our little cub friend moved on too.
Soon all adorable little lion cubs emerged from the bushes, following the lead of the mommy lioness towards Chobe river in Botswana
Soon all adorable little lion cubs emerged from the bushes, following the lead of the mommy lioness towards Chobe river.
More cute lioness cubs emerged, cautiously crossing the road and the parade continued.
More cute lioness cubs emerged, cautiously crossing the road and the parade continued.
Is it just me or were the cubs having a conversation?
Is it just me or were the cubs having a conversation?
The little lion cubs crossed the road in a hurry to get to safety, away from the clearing and the road. But one started looking back!
The little lion cubs crossed the road in a hurry to get to safety, away from the clearing and the road. But one started looking back!
Another lion cub starts looking back!
Another lion cub starts looking back!
A third cub started looking back!
A third cub started looking back!
These two lion cubs look really anxious. Are these daughters of the lioness that is not be seen?
These two lion cubs look really anxious. 

Are these cubs worried about something? Is there danger lurking in the bushes? We hold our eyes on them nervously. 

Suddenly a second lioness appeared from bushes and crossed the dirt road to get to the cute cubs. She needs to get them to the the chobe river safely.
Suddenly a second lioness appeared from bushes and the cubs happily bounce off. 

Phew! They were just waiting for mommy lion #2 to cross the road safely. She was probably double checking to ensure no danger was following them.

The cubs got excited and happy. Together the lionesses with cubs took off toward Chobe river to get a drink.
The cubs got excited and happy. Together the lionesses with cubs took off toward Chobe river to get a drink.

We were extremely lucky to have some wonderful animal encounters in Kruger and Chobe National Park. The most amazing encounter was that of these lionesses with cubs crossing an unpaved road in Botswana. 

Here is the full episode on video. Please follow our YouTube channel to get more travel videos.

Do you have a favorite lion or lion cub encounter? We would love to hear your story.

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25 Comments

  1. Nina Out and About
    December 15, 2018 @ 4:15 pm

    I love this post – and your series idea. As someone who has always wanted to go to Africa, I cannot get enough info about the continent!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:24 pm

      Hi Nina, I’m so glad you loved it! I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the many stories I have. Thanks for the support!!

  2. Angelica
    December 15, 2018 @ 5:51 pm

    I haven’t had this kind of experience yet, but it sounds so exciting! I love how many cubs you were able to see in these two national parks. I’m adding Kruger and Chobe to my list!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:23 pm

      Hi Angelica, great idea to add Kruger and Chobe to your list. You’ll love them!
      It was sheer luck to get the opportunity to see so many cubs!

  3. Arunima Dey
    December 15, 2018 @ 9:25 pm

    Oh wow! What a fantastic encounter! I loved the narration of your story, felt like it was unfolding in front my own eyes. Especially the whole bit about why did the cubs start looking back. Looking forward to more reads on this.

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:22 pm

      Thanks, Arunima! I’m so glad you enjoyed the dramatic story of the lionesses and her cubs. We didn’t expect to see a second lioness until we saw the cubs relax and start going on.
      I hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming stories of wildlife.

  4. Richa
    December 15, 2018 @ 11:57 pm

    I absolutely LOVED the picture story you built out here – my kids were amazed 🙂 Looking forward to your series!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:19 pm

      Thanks, Richa, I hope you’ll love the series. The next one will be about a mystery in the jungle… a missing leopard

  5. Krasen Jelyazkov
    December 16, 2018 @ 8:31 am

    It is amazing! Seems you know a lot about the wildlife in Africa. Or at least you can learn a lot, watching the lions and other animals.

  6. Samantha
    December 16, 2018 @ 12:04 pm

    These pictures are so cool! It must have been a real treat to not only see a lioness but to also see her cubs! I love the series idea, there are so many cool encounters that it is nice to break them down!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:18 pm

      Thanks, Samantha for your feedback. I’ll do the series and I hope you’ll love them too.
      It was definitely an amazing treat to see the mommy lionesses and their cubs in action.

  7. corina
    December 16, 2018 @ 1:32 pm

    OMG how lucky were you there. This is a beautiful story which could be a kids story book. well done

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:17 pm

      Thanks, Corina! It was truly lucky to witness such family activity in progress. I’ve been to many African safaris all my life, but this was a first.

  8. Fairuz
    December 16, 2018 @ 3:47 pm

    What an experience! I’d do anything to see lions in the wild. Those cubs are so adorable (I’d be tempted to give them a cuddle LOL). It’s interesting to see the lioness’ behaviour. The way she stood on the path to make sure there’s no present danger to her cubs is an amazing display of maternal instinct. I’m surprised to learn that cubs get killed by lions that are not their father!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:15 pm

      Hi Fairuz, Totally! African wildlife is out of this world!
      You’ve got a good point. The maternal instinct is hard-wired in the mothers. They go to all lengths possible to nurture and protect their offsprings. I learnt in Kenya and then heard again Southern Africa about the lions’ instincts to eliminate competition. There are videos by National Geographic on the many dangers male cubs have to overcome in order to reach adulthood.

  9. Amelia
    December 17, 2018 @ 12:08 am

    I can’t believe how good your pics are! All my safari pics are suuuper blurry haha. Such a wonderful post!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:05 pm

      Thanks Amelia. My husband is good with his camera. They are very blurry from my phone because it’s not possible to zoom to the necessary level.

  10. Chandni Tolani
    December 17, 2018 @ 12:20 am

    I really want to visit this place and I love how you have captured these images. Beautifully portrayed!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:04 pm

      Hi Chandni, I wish you all the best. I hope you’ll visit Southern Africa and share your experience with lionesses, cubs, lions and all the wildlife.

  11. Suman Doogar
    December 17, 2018 @ 1:10 am

    You are so lucky to witness the whole thing, and thank you for bringing the story to the world. I think your idea about doing a series is great. Wishing you luck.

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:03 pm

      Thanks, Suman for the good wishes.
      I’m delighted to share the experience from Botswana and Southern Africa.

  12. Soumya Gayatri
    December 17, 2018 @ 6:17 am

    Jyoti, this was such a wonderful experience. Seeing those cubs wait in anticipation for mommy #2 must have been kind of thrilling. I understand it is hard to see the lioness and cubs together. The fact that you could observe them in the middle of an important daily routine is not only impressive but teaches us all so much about these animals go about their lives. Loved this post!

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 10:02 pm

      Hi Soumya, it was certainly a wonderful experience. It all happened so fast with so many emotions running wild, I had to revisit the video of the lionesses and the cubs to understand what was going on.
      The best part about visiting national parks is that we get to see in their natural habitat, doing what they need to.

  13. Rahat
    December 17, 2018 @ 11:13 pm

    You narrate your experience very well and pictures are very well captured. You had a great adventure and experience too.

    • Jyoti
      December 18, 2018 @ 9:55 pm

      Thanks, Rahat. Chobe National Park was definitely a great experience.
      Glad you like the narration.

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