Lions of the South Luangwa Valley, Zambia

I am sure by now everyone has heard the news of the American women killed by a lion in Lion Park here is Africa. It houses its animals in large enclosures that simulate their natural environments. It has been split into two areas -  one for herbivores and one for carnivores.
These animals are not in the wild, nor allowed to roam freely, and do not hunt. They interact with humans daily.
We were in the South Luangwa Valley where the animals roam freely together in wide open space the way nature should be. There are no fences and they are not feed by people.

 When we approach them in the wild, we take caution, & assess the mood. They are very much aware we are there but generally want nothing to do with us. They do not depend on people for survival.

We came across these 2 lions sunning themselves early one morning. Misek, our guide told us when they start to yawn they will get up and move.

Sure enough 5 yawns later they moved, walking right past the jeep

to the river to drink and nap.