This is the amazing moment eight lions were spotted lounging in a tree - scouting for fresh prey.

The rare sighting was captured on camera by safari guide Curteis Roberts, 28,

during a trip in the Tanzania's Serengeti in May.

Lions climb the trees in part to rest but more importantly to survey the land for food.

At this time of year, a lot of their prey has migrated far away, so lions will use their perch in the trees to look for food from above.

Curteis, a self-employed safari guide from Hoedspruit, South Africa, said: "This is a newer tactic we're seeing from lions in the Serengeti."

"They have gotten used to their prey migrating at this time of year and it's rain season, so the grass grows very tall."

"This leaves the lions with a lot less food in the area, so they use the tactical advantage they get from being up in the tree to find further-away prey."

"They use their eyesight, which is about six to eight times better than humans, to spot animals far in the distance."

According to Curteis, the footage shows a few older lionesses ,which are well-seasoned in climbing, while the others are younger males who are still learning.

At one point in the video, a young lion can be seen grappling the tree to try and balance himself before clumsily falling to the ground.

Curteis said: "It's quite unusual to see lions climbing trees in this way because it doesn't really come naturally to them."

"They're heavy cats so they don't have the same agility as a leopard."

"This means their dismount from the trees are often ungraceful, as seen by one of the adolescent males in the video."