This mischievous lion cub just can’t wait to be king as he wrestles with his father, jumping on his back and swiping at his face – and isn’t phased when the gigantic beast bares his vicious teeth.

Adorable footage captured at Etosha National Park in Namibia shows the young lion sparring with his father who is lying on the ground taking some rest.

The plucky cub continues to launch swipes at this father even despite the fierce lion showing his teeth and shaking his head.

Adorable photographs captured at Etosha National Park in Namibia shows the young lion sparring with his father (pictured) who is lying on the ground taking some rest

The plucky cub continues to launch swipes at this father even despite the fierce lion showing his teeth and shaking his head
Jason Kandume, a photographer from northern Namibi, captured video footage of the remarkable scene in November – which also shows the young cub wrestling with some dirt next to his mother.

Mr Kandume – who captured the footage at a watering hole – said: ‘The male lion went to drink first and when it finished, the cub started running towards his dad. It was climbing over him and jumping on his back. One of the females was constantly following the cub.

‘I always try to respect nature and wildlife. I don’t disturb or chase them. I see people using drones in the parks which I think is wrong.

‘If you’re using a drone then you can’t get shots like this where the animals are playing freely and don’t feel threatened.’

Jason Kandume captured fascinating photographs of the young lion cub roaming the vast stretches of Namibia alongside his mother and father (pictured) – who both look like they have been kept awake by the mischievous youngster for days

Mr Kandume chose to go to the park in November as it is not long after lions have their babies. He had originally been at a water hole to photograph some rhinos – but heard some lions roaring and knew they would not be too far from the area. He eventually discovered a lion cub with its mother (pictured) and father

Mr Kandume captured these images at Etosha National Park in Namibia – one of the most popular parks for wildlife photographers and tourists keen to get an authentic safari experience
Etosha – where Mr Kandume captured the images – is one of the top wildlife destinations worldwide, attracting many wildlife photographers and it’s one of the most popular parks for wildlife photographers and tourists keen to get an authentic safari experience.

‘As a frequent wildlife tour guide, I drive my clients straight to the waterhole as soon as the park gates open, telling them that I suspect there will be lions nearby,’ Mr Kandume said.

‘There was one cub, two females, one large male and two young males that day.’