Masai Mara 2025

Available in:
Limited edition run of 25 - 30” print for £500
Limited edition run of 15 - 48” print for £1250

This evocative lion photo was captured in the Mara North Conservancy early one morning. I had spent the previous afternoon with the River Pride, including the powerful male coalition of Lenkoe, Enkong’u, and Saning’o, but most of the time had been spent watching the pride asleep, and by the time they stirred, the fading light had brought my encounter to an end.

At first light the following morning, I set out again, hoping to find the males. Fortune was on my side. While it was still dark, my guide located two of the coalition brothers. As they began to move, the first hints of pre-dawn light emerged, allowing me to capture this intimate portrait of Saning’o, his face and mane softly illuminated by the subtle glow of dawn.

Shortly afterward, Saning’o and his brother slipped into a nearby thicket, remaining hidden for the rest of the morning. Moments like this are fleeting, especially with male lions, whose lives are shaped by constant challenge and conflict and then resting.

Male lions face immense pressure throughout their lives. After being forced from their birth pride, they endure years of uncertainty, hunger, and injury before forming coalitions strong enough to challenge resident males. Even then, success is never permanent. Defending territory requires relentless vigilance, brutal confrontations, and the physical toll of repeated battles. Most male lions rule for only a short time before younger rivals arrive.

Saning’o and his brothers have formed a formidable coalition, taking on rival males across Mara North and securing their place among the region’s dominant lions. Yet in this lion portrait, the strength and aggression often associated with male lions gives way to something more atmospheric and timeless. This portrait reveals a quieter, almost ethereal side of a true Lion King which I hope will make  it a compelling piece of lion wall art that speaks to both their power and vulnerability.

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