Tech: A new National Geographic series shows warring lion clans up close — here are stunning images captured by the crew

Nat Geo Wild's new series, "Savage Kingdom: Uprising," is narrated by "Game of Thrones" actor Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister). It airs November 24.

National Geographic is doing what it does best this Thanksgiving weekend: Stoking your wanderlust with stunning footage of the natural world.

The second installment of its "Savage Kingdom," series features warring lion clans struggling for survival in a remote region of Botswana.

The series, narrated by "Game of Thrones" actor Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), follows the lions — and their leopard and hyena counterparts — as vicious yet relatable characters. It takes a dramatic look at the lengths the animals go to ensure their clan's survival during the region's long dry season.

In a video on National Geographic's website, filmmaker Andrea Crawford discussed the challenges of filming "in the bush" for over two years to get footage of the series' central characters.

"You've got to have a love for the bush, for being out there. You've got to not be too attached to the comforts normal people take for granted," she said. "But also, once you're out there, you see how beautiful it is waking up in the bush, seeing those sights and smelling those smells. It really does become — very much — a way of life."

"Savage Kingdom: Uprising" premieres on Friday, on Nat Geo WILD.

Take a look at some remarkable images from the show:

Young, curious lion cubs enjoy climbing trees. In this image, a cub from the Northern Pride holds on to a branch, perched in this prime spot.

A large bull elephant throws sand up towards his ears to cool himself off. Elephants have hundreds of small blood vessels at the back of their ears, so keeping those blood vessels cool helps them keep their overall temperature down.

The King of the Marsh Pride, Sekekama, sits alongside his brother as they watch large storm clouds approach.

A small herd of zebra are perfectly silhouetted by the setting sun as they graze on an open marsh.

In the harsh wilderness of Botswana, water is life. Here, a lone bull elephant searches for a drink in a dusty watering hole.

A young male lion and his queen from the Marsh Pride stand next to each other in the long, dry winter grass.

After a day of looking for perfect opportunity to hunt, Saba — dubbed the Leopard Queen — lies along a dead tree at sunset as she readies for an evening of hunting.

In the first hours of warm sun, a lioness named Matsumi lies at the base of a small termite mound. One of her cubs is draped over her back as they survey their kingdom.

Hyenas stand alert at a watering hole while wildebeest, a Kori Bustard bird, and a giraffe get a drink in the background.

As rains return to Botswana’s wilderness, natural watering holes fill up with water, providing a temporary sanctuary for aquatic birds. In this image, a number of birds are silhouetted around a watering hole called Peter’s Pan at sunrise.

The grasshopper population in Botswana skyrockets during the rainy season, bringing birds called southern carmine bee-eaters to feast upon the insects. As other animals walk through the grass and disturb the grasshoppers, the bee-eaters swoop in and claim their prize.

During the rainy season, marshes fill with luscious green grass that provides nutritious grazing for many animals. Here, a small herd of zebras gather to eat.

Nat Geo Wild's new series, "Savage Kingdom: Uprising," is narrated by "Game of Thrones" actor Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister). It airs November 24. Read Full Story