I want to be just like mum: Holidaymakers snap tiny lion cub emulating her mother

With big almond eyes and outsized paws, this little lioness is still only a cub, but that doesn't stop her wanting to be just like mum.
The playful ball of fluff was spotted by holidaymakers on safari, mimicking her mother in every movement as she tries to climb a fallen tree behind her and even imitates her giant yawn as she enjoys the afternoon sunshine.

Just me and mum: Lucky holidaymakers witnessed this young cub emulating her mother

Padding around on the ground, the little lioness is all confidence until her mum hops up onto the fallen fig tree, having spotted a herd of buffalo, which can be dangerous for lions.
While the big cats can attack and kill buffalo it normally takes a group of them, and buffalo have equally been known to charge and try to trample lions in order to protect their young.
The tiny cub lets out a plaintive cry as she realises she has been left alone and wander aimlessly until she realises she has to endure an epic ascent to safety and back to mum.

Peekaboo: The little lioness is happy playing on the ground, safe in the knowledge that her mother is nearby

Following the leader: She trots behind her mother while two other lionesses look on from above

The climb, in among the branches of the fallen tree, is somewhat advanced for the lioness' tender age, but she is determined as she hauls herself up and gingerly edges along the trunk.
While she may be worried about being left behind, little does she know her mother is looking on, keeping an eye on the young cub.
Eager holidaymakers, touring Kenya's Masai Mara near the intimate tented Kicheche Camp, snapped away as the young lioness proved her fearlessness and reached the summit.

Where did you go?: The cub suddenly realises she is alone on the ground after her mother jumps onto the fallen tree

Panic: The little lioness cries out as she looks around for her older relatives

Then, as if aware of her assembled audience, she nonchalantly flops down next to mum and alongside two other lionesses and mother and daughter let out a simultaneous yawn.
'It is always dangerous and perhaps misguided to humanise animals, especially predators, but this was a marvellous moment when the young cub placed its right paw on the summit next to mum,' explained Kicheche's Paul Goldstein.
'What is also good news is I understand from my spies in the Mara that the cub is still doing well.'

Moving on up: The young lioness realises she is going to have to climb the tree to join her mum

Quiet determination: While the older lionesses keep an eye on the buffalo, the cub (to the right of the picture) steadily climbs high

Kenya is known as one of the best places to go on safari and, despite recent problems with Somali pirates on the south coast, the inland area is considered safe for tourists to visit.
It is Africa's most popular safari destination and the Masai Mara Reserve is the most visited wildlife park in Kenya.
Holidaymakers touring the region often want to see the Big Five safari animals; lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
They were historically named the Big Five by big game hunters due to the difficulty in killing them. All five are known to become particularly ferocious when cornered.

Keep going: Mum checks to make sure the cub is alright

Success at last: The lioness acts nonchalant after her big adventure

Lions have been placed in particular danger over the years as they were also killed by Masai tribesmen.
To become a Masai warrior, young boys were sent out into the bush to kill a lion using just handheld weapons, a practice that has since been discontinued by the tribes due to increasing worries about the species becoming extinct.
Now both local tribes and visiting tour operators are acutely aware of the vulnerability of popular safari animals and measures are being put in place to protect them.

So, what have I missed?: The cub picks her own lookout point to keep an eye on the herd of buffalo