19 stunning photos from destinations that inspired Disney’s The Lion King

written by Intrepid Travel July 4, 2019
Elephant in Botswana

Fact – it’s not humanly possible to watch Disney’s The Lion King and not immediately want to pack your bags for a safari across Africa.

Whether you’re in love with the 25-year-old classic or are eagerly awaiting the release of Jon Favreau’s epic remake – these photos give you a window into the continent that inspired them both.

From the plains of the Serengeti and the snowy slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the caves of Hell’s Gate National Park and deep gorges of the Great Rift Valley – the flora and fauna that makes up Africa are truly unique.

Have a scroll through these 19 astonishing images and we dare you not to be reaching for your khakis and camera in no time…

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

A male lion cleverly camouflages himself against the Serengeti savanna.
Damien Raggatt

A group of meerkats in Oudtshoorn

A mob of meerkats huddle together in Oudtshoorn, South Africa.
Ryan Bolton

Views of the Three Rondavels in Blyde River Canyon

Impressive views over the Three Rondavels in South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon region.
Allison McCarthy

Giraffes in Kruger National Park

The sunset silhouettes of two giraffes stand tall over Kruger National Park.
Allison McCarthy

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A rhino stands in Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe

A rhino takes a moment to survey its surroundings in Kruger National Park.
Allison McCarthy

Red-billed hornbill in Hwange National Park

A red-billed hornbill perches in the trees of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
Allison McCarthy

A lone tree in the heart of the Masai Mara

Cloudy skies over the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Damien Raggatt

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

An African buffalo grazes on the dry grasses in Serengeti National Park.
Damien Raggatt

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An ostrich in Tanzania

Down in the Ngorongoro Crater, a lone ostrich stands quietly.
Damien Raggatt

Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

The expansive Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley.
Oleg Znamenskiy / Shutterstock

A group of hippos in Tanzania

In the Serengeti, a bloat of hippos wallow in a swamp.
Victoria Thorn

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Zebras migrate across the plains of Serengeti National Park.
Danielle Nguyen

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Serengeti National Park

The sun casts dramatic shades of red and orange over the Serengeti savanna.
Damien Raggatt

South Africa's Kruger National Park

A lion cub dozes peacefully on a rock in Kruger National Park.
Dianne Muldoon

The Great Migration, the Mara River

Wildebeest cross the Mara River in their thousands during the Great Migration.
Gudkov Andrey / Shutterstock

Hell's Gate National Park

Fischer’s Tower rises high above Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya.
mbrand85 / Shutterstock

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Mount Kilimanjaro over the Serengeti

An elephant ambles across the Serengeti to the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Gazelles make their way through Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
Oleg Znamenskiy / Shutterstock

A dung beetle in Addo Elephant National Park

A dung beetle rolls its way around Addo Elephant National Park.

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