Lions primarily live in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 80% of the population is found, especially in eastern and southern Africa. Key countries with significant lion populations include Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, and parts of West Africa such as Niger and Cameroon
. Their habitats within Africa are diverse and include savannahs, grasslands, open woodlands, scrublands, and even some desert areas like Namibia and the Kalahari Desert
. Lions prefer environments that provide sufficient prey, cover for stalking, water sources, and shade. They are typically found in grassy plains, savannahs, scrub bordering rivers, and open woodlands with bushes, but rarely enter dense forests or tropical rainforests
. Lions have been recorded living at elevations up to 3,600 meters on Mount Elgon and near the snow line on Mount Kenya, showing adaptability to various terrains
. Outside Africa, a small population of Asiatic lions survives in India’s Gir National Park in Gujarat. This population lives in a dry savannah forest and deciduous scrub forest habitat
. In summary, lions live mostly in:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, scrublands, and some deserts
- A small Asiatic lion population in Gir National Park, India
They thrive where prey is abundant, cover is available for hunting, and water and shade are accessible
