Faith Musembi stands in the back of the film vehicle, working with the crew to capture the lions walking in the background, while an elephant moves further back across the landscape. (National Geographic/Abigail Brown)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_17.jpg
Kio clawing the trunk of a tree, his feet clear of the ground as he tests his growing strength and balance. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_03.jpg
Members of Summer's Pride move past the film vehicle as the crew documents their day. (National Geographic/Matthew Tomlinson)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_02.jpg
Faith Musembi stands in the back of the film vehicle, working with the crew as they wait for lions to enter into frame. (National Geographic/Abigail Brown)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_16.jpg
One of the pride males directs aggression toward Kio’s oldest brother, whose large mane and growing size draws the brunt of the challenge. (National Geographic/Abigail Brown)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_14.jpg
Summer stands in the open grassland, glancing sideways at something that has caught her attention. (National Geographic/Georgina Ward)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_28.jpg
Cinematographer Rolf Steinmann sits in the vehicle with his camera ready and prepared to capture the action. (National Geographic/Faith Musembi)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_29.jpg
The film vehicle waits below as members of Summer's Pride rest on higher ground within their territory. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_01.jpg
Kio and one of his young cousins play around the base of a tree, strengthening their bond through rough-and-tumble play. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_05.jpg
Kio crouches on the edge of a small green mound, poised as if preparing to stalk something nearby. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_11.jpg
Kio sits in the long grass with one paw resting on the edge of a small mound, looking relaxed and content in his surroundings. (National Geographic/Faith Musembi)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_10.jpg
Kio and one of his young cousins play around the base of a tree, strengthening their bond through rough-and-tumble play. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_04.jpg
The wildebeest migration, which has yet to reach the prideìs territory, moves across the river in another part of the landscape. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_49.jpg
Moja Moja, one of Kio’s older cousins, stands tall against a tree, looking up intently at something above him. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_12.jpg
Kio receives an affectionate head bump from his older cousin as he strengthens his bonds within the pride. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_06.jpg
Director of Photography Sophie Darlington looks through the camera as she films the unfolding drama within Summer's Pride. (National Geographic/Faith Musembi)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_07.jpg
Faith Musembi stands in the back of the film vehicle, swinging the jib of the GSS camera as the crew captures Summer's Pride in action in the foreground. (National Geographic/Abigail Brown)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_13.jpg
Orkitok, Olepolos, and Osapuk move together through the grassland, the three males clearly reinforcing their dominance over the territory. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_48.jpg
Summer stands in the long grass and stares ahead, alert as she assesses her surroundings within the prideìs territory. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_38.jpg
Summer scans the landscape in the early morning light, searching for her missing cub. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_39.jpg
Kio rests under a croton bush, sheltered in the heart of the prideìs territory as he waits for Summer to return. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_37.jpg
Summer stands in the open, mouth open as she scans ahead and listens for signs of danger. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_51.jpg
Osapuk stands alongside his coalition partner as the two pride males patrol the pride’s territory. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_45.jpg
A group of about fifteen hyenas stand upright with tails raised. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_22.jpg
A portrait of Summer, standing alert in the Maasai Mara. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_23.jpg
Summer appears solemn as she stands atop a mound at sunset, surveying the prideìs territory as the light fades across the landscape. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_44.jpg
Kio stands in the open grassland, looking confident outside the safety of the den. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_50.jpg
The escarpment rises along the edge of the prideìs territory, defining the landscape the lions call home. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_46.jpg
Mist hangs over the prideìs territory at dawn, the landscape slowly emerges with the promise of a new day. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_52.jpg
Members of Summer's Pride stand along the edge of the ridge within their territory. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_21.jpg
Summer stands in the long grass with her mouth slightly open, alert and maybe sensing a hunting opportunity, while members of her Pride sit watchfully behind her. (National Geographic/Abigail Brown)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_08.jpg
Faith Musembi and Sophie Darlington sit inside the film vehicle with their camera ready and prepared to capture the action. (National Geographic/Jane Atkins)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_34.jpg
Behind-the-scenes as Anthony Njuguna operates the drone. (National Geographic/Joe Treddenick)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_20.jpg
Wildebeest gather at the riverbank during the annual migration, hesitating before attempting the dangerous crossing. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_47.jpg
Kio, now nearly as tall as his mother, walks alongside her with a stride that shows growing confidence. (National Geographic)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_UHD_43.jpg
Faith Musembi and Mark MacEwan pause by the helicopter, mounted with a GSS camera, waiting to capture the action. (National Geographic/Faith Musembi)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_18.jpg
Three lions rest together in the Maasai Mara. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_24.jpg
A group of Maasai sings a traditional song, while one member plays a tune on a kudu horn. (National Geographic/Jane Atkins)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_30.jpg
Russell Emanuel, Score Producer, Bleeding Fingers, and Faith Musembi chat while Russell records the Maasai singing. (National Geographic/Jane Atkins)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_31.jpg
The pride males, Olepolos, Osapuk and Orkitok, maintain a tight bond. (National Geographic/Simon Blakeney)Episode: #CHAPTER 2 "A Band of Brothers"Air Date 08/19/2026102_ChapterTwo_ABandOfBrothers_Lion_25.jpg
