A lion hunt is the sighting many guests hope for and few see from start to finish. Most of the time lions are resting, which is why understanding how they hunt helps you read what is happening in front of you. This guide explains the behaviour, what research suggests, and how to behave if a hunt does begin.
Do lions hunt together?
It is natural to assume a pride hunts as a team, and sometimes they appear to. Research on Serengeti lions, which share the same ecosystem as the Maasai Mara, suggests the picture is more complicated. A University of Guelph study led by Dr John Fryxell, using 12 years of radio-collar data on female lions, found that cooperative hunting did not substantially raise hunting success when the prey was wildebeest. Large prides, some with more than 20 members, tend to split into smaller hunting groups and then rejoin. The researchers point to benefits of pride life beyond hunting, such as sharing information, raising young together and defending territory.
What a hunt can look like
- Watching and waiting. Lions often study herds for a long time before acting. A tense, low posture and fixed attention are the signs.
- The approach. They stalk close, using cover, before any chase.
- The chase. It is usually short, and many hunts end without a kill.
How to improve your chances
- Ask your guide where the pride was last seen and when it tends to be active. Our guide to choosing a driver-guide explains why this knowledge matters.
- Be patient. A hunt cannot be scheduled, and a quiet morning can change quickly.
- Stay quiet and keep movement to a minimum. Switch your camera sound off.
Rules that protect the animals and you
In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, off-road driving is prohibited and visitors must not crowd or encircle predators. A good guide will give a hunting pride space and follow the park rules. Read Maasai Mara rules and etiquette and safari etiquette before you go.
What if you do not see a hunt?
You will almost certainly see lions, but a kill is never guaranteed. Many guests find resting prides, cubs and territorial behaviour just as memorable. For timing, see our best time to visit Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
Do lions hunt as a team?
Sometimes they appear to, but research on Serengeti lions found cooperative hunting did not substantially raise success against wildebeest. Large prides usually split into smaller hunting groups.
Will I see a lion kill on safari?
You will very likely see lions, but a hunt or kill cannot be guaranteed. Most of a lion’s day is spent resting.
Can my vehicle follow a hunting lion?
No. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, off-road driving is prohibited, and vehicles must not crowd or encircle predators.
How big are lion prides?
Some Serengeti prides have more than 20 members, according to the University of Guelph study.
Want help planning? Talk to our team and tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you would like to see.
Facts checked on 5 November 2026: lion study summary from the University of Guelph (published in Ecology Letters); Mara rules from the reserve’s rules page. Behaviour descriptions are general and based on common guiding practice.
