In the African Plateau region near Mount Kilimanjaro, husband and wife documentary team Alfred and Elma Milotte capture the African lion in its natural habitat. Chronicling the seasons, the Milottes witness the birth of a lioness' cubs and their development alongside their mother as she at first struggles to provide food and care for her young in a battle against the fury of the African wilderness. Eventually, the cubs reach maturity and learn how to hunt and fend for themselves.