Adorable lion cubs and their mothers show an unmistakable bond of affection in these stunning photos taken in the Serengeti.

Captured on camera by operations manager Alex Blair at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania the images show a pride of lions interacting with one another.

In one photo a cub appears to jump up to kiss its mother while others show young lions playing in the sunshine.

The London based photographer said: ‘The cubs were relentlessly playful and it was interesting to watch the different lionesses taking their turn at keeping the cubs entertained and letting the others rest.

‘In this way it was impossible to tell which cubs belonged to which lioness, it was just one large pride all working together.

Adorable lion cubs and their mother’s show an unmistakable bond of affection between them in these stunning photos taken in the Serengeti

A tiny lion cub looks out from the undergrowth in the Serengeti. One of the young animals was seen giving its mum a kiss

Captured on camera by operations manager Alex Blair at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania the images show a pride of lions interacting with one and other as the young cubs play

There were around 14 or so cubs and five lionesses. We found them at the mounds and spent a couple of hours watching them interact

Keeping a safe distance of between 20 – 40 yards, Alex encountered the lion pride on the mounds of the Serengeti in Tanzania

Stunning photos show the lionesses and their cubs relaxing in the grass on a mound in the Serengeti’s Ngorongoro Crater ‘The male lion in the pride kept his distance the entire time though with a watchful eye.’

Keeping a safe distance of between 20 to 40 yards, Alex encountered the lion pride on the mounds of the Serengeti in Tanzania.

He said: ‘There were around 14 or so cubs and five lionesses. We found them at the mounds and spent a couple of hours watching them interact.’

Alex and his team had to set off as early as possible to get into the crater at first light.

Proud lionesses sit in the undergrowth and protect their young in these touching photographs taken in Tanzania

Affectionate: The photographer and his team had to set off as early as possible to get into the crater at first light and picture these pictures of liones

Adorable: African male lions generally play no paternal role when it comes to provisioning of food to the cubs

Family affair: Lions are attracted to mounds in the crater because it gives them the advantage of high ground He said: ‘Our guide led us to this spot where they dig up the ground to maintain the roads. The effect is a number of mounds which the lions are attracted to as it gives them the advantage of high ground and lets them look out over the crater.’

Lionesses stay within the pride all their lives but male lions either leave of their own accord or are driven off by the pride males at two to three years of age.

African male lions generally play no paternal role when it comes to provisioning of food to the cubs.

Lone ranger: The responsibility for training the tiny cubs to hunt is also that of the mother. A cub is pictured looking out across the Serengeti

Proud mums: Lionesses stay within the pride all their lives but male lions either leave of their own accord or are driven off by the pride males at two to three years of age

Tender: A lioness gently cleans one of her cubs as the pride lies out in the sun in the Serengeti in Tanzania

Look out: Lions prefer to set up on mounds in the giant crater because it gives them a good vantage point

Hide and seek: The lion cubs were seen playing around in the long grass as their proud mothers watched on in the Serengeti

The 28-year-old photographer said the encounter was undoubtedly special and a once in a life-time opportunity The responsibility for training them to hunt is also that of the mother.

For the 28-year-old, the encounter was undoubtedly special and a once in a life-time opportunity.

Alex said: ‘It was special because of the proximity to the lions and the surrounding peace. They were very unbothered by us initially meaning we could watch them without them changing their behaviour.

‘Often images are taken during the dry season but seeing the lions in contract to the green is much more rewarding as a photographer.’