09/08/2026
When a lioness is ready to mate, subtle changes in her scent and behaviour tell the male everything he needs to know. Soon you will notice the two staying close, following each other and sometimes moving away from the rest of the pride.
A single lion copulation event is very short and lasts only 20 to 60 seconds. However, during a lioness's heat cycle, a pair engages in an intense mating marathon lasting 3 to 5 days, copulating every 15 to 30 minutes (up to 50 times in a 24-hour period). Moments like this are what make the African bush so interesting, you arrive hoping to see lions, but you leave understanding a little more about how they actually live.