A new National Geographic series shows warring lion clans up close - here are stunning images captured by the crew
During the rainy season, marshes fill with luscious green grass that provides nutritious grazing for many animals. Here, a small herd of zebras gather to eat.
The grasshopper population in Botswana skyrockets during the rainy season, bringing birds called southern carmine bee-eaters to feast upon the insects. As other animals walk through the grass and disturb the grasshoppers, the bee-eaters swoop in and claim their prize.
As rains return to Botswana’s wilderness, natural watering holes fill up with water, providing a temporary sanctuary for aquatic birds. In this image, a number of birds are silhouetted around a watering hole called Peter’s Pan at sunrise.
Hyenas stand alert at a watering hole while wildebeest, a Kori Bustard bird, and a giraffe get a drink in the background.
In the first hours of warm sun, a lioness named Matsumi lies at the base of a small termite mound. One of her cubs is draped over her back as they survey their kingdom.
After a day of looking for perfect opportunity to hunt, Saba — dubbed the Leopard Queen — lies along a dead tree at sunset as she readies for an evening of hunting.
A young male lion and his queen from the Marsh Pride stand next to each other in the long, dry winter grass.
In the harsh wilderness of Botswana, water is life. Here, a lone bull elephant searches for a drink in a dusty watering hole.
A small herd of zebra are perfectly silhouetted by the setting sun as they graze on an open marsh.
The King of the Marsh Pride, Sekekama, sits alongside his brother as they watch large storm clouds approach.
A large bull elephant throws sand up towards his ears to cool himself off. Elephants have hundreds of small blood vessels at the back of their ears, so keeping those blood vessels cool helps them keep their overall temperature down.
Young, curious lion cubs enjoy climbing trees. In this image, a cub from the Northern Pride holds on to a branch, perched in this prime spot.
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