A pride of lions, some as big as 170kg, may not seem like the perfect dinner companions, but they impressed all their human guests at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve's Dine on the Edge.

The extreme dining experience is not to be missed. The anticipation started when we arrived and had welcome drinks at the Hippo Bar at sunset while watching three huge hippos have their dinner.

See more great images from the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve

Then a behind-the-scenes look at the lions while they paced in anticipation of their dinner added to the excitement of what was ahead.

A quick drink at the Zulu Bar and then guests were taken into a safe air-locked zone, just 10m from the lion's enclosure.

Once everyone was seated, 16 lions were released and the sound of them charging towards their food had their human guests awe struck.

While the lions savagely ripped into their food and roared at each other, their human dinner guests were able to see these majestic creatures so close you could count their whiskers.

Visitors enjoyed a gourmet barbecue while the safari-style sound effects and growls from the lions added to the exotic dining experience.

The lions' behaviour dominated the dinner conversation as guests watched them wrestle each other for food, learned more about these creatures from the informative staff and took advantage of the photo opportunities.

After dinner, while visitors enjoyed dessert, the lions quietened down and purred as they settled down to sleep, oblivious to their human guests who were thrilled to be part of the unique experience and be so close to the magnificent beasts.

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