Sarabi is a large, long-bodied, and muscular lioness. She is notably taller and more heavily-built than the other lionesses, as she was able to stand nose to nose with Scar. Additionally, she is a powerful huntress and fighter, and was among the first to enter combat with the hyenas during the battle for Pride Rock. Unlike most of the lionesses, she has square-like features, including a boxy muzzle, a broad chest, and a rectangular body. Sarabi's main pelt is medium brown, while her chest, muzzle, eye rims, and paws are tan. She has dark ear rims and a light brown nose. Her eyes are orange. Sarabi is affectionate, kind-hearted, and maternal. She is especially loving toward her son, Simba, and tolerates his antics with patience and understanding. She is quite perceptive when it comes to her son's intentions, as she immediately caught on to his mischievous scheme to visit the Elephant Graveyard and so forced him to bring along Zazu as a babysitter. She ultimately does what is best for him, even if he chafes at her decisions and interference.

As an adult, Nala became larger, broader about the shoulders, and more muscular. Additionally, her fur color dulled, her eyebrows became thicker, and her nose changed from pink to brown. She proved to be an adept hunter and fighter, as she kept pace with large prey like Pumbaa and managed to pin a full-grown Simba on his back. As an adult, Nala became more mature and responsible. Unlike Simba, who had spent many years ignoring his royal duty to the Pride Lands, she was exhaustive in her search for relief from Scar's reign and passionately appealed to Simba to return home and save their pride. In arguments, she could be forceful and sharp-tongued, such as when she unfavorably compared Simba to his deceased father, Mufasa. Even so, she was grateful to him when he returned to the Pride Lands and was eager to fight at his side in the battle against Scar.

Shortly after her birth, Kiara was presented in a magnificent and joyous ceremony to the animals gathered at Pride Rock as their future queen and ruler. Initially, she seems to have no knowledge of the Outsiders, or why they're so dangerous, implying that the events of their banishment happened either before she was born or while she was a newborn. Because she has no first-hand knowledge, she is far more accepting of them than her father is. In terms of appearance, she seems to be a cross between her two parents. Kiara inherits her parents' curiosity and has gotten into trouble for wandering off. She is kind, wild, mischievous, playful, and a tomboy. She is also very headstrong, and she possesses a strong desire for independence and self-sufficiency. Due to her independent spirit, her relationship with her over-protective father, Simba, is loving, but strained at times, thus putting her into a conflict with him. She also displayed frequent annoyance when addressed by her title preferring to be known for who she herself is rather than who her family is. As a cub, Kiara is fairly naive, and she initially fails to understand the deeper meanings of her father's lessons, thus ignoring his advice. However, as a young adult, she is able to successfully apply what her father has taught her to help bring peace between the two feuding prides, and Simba has finally accepted that she's old enough to make her decisions in life.

Zira is a lioness with dark coloration. Her fur is grayish-tan with a cream muzzle, underbelly, and paws. She has red eyes, black eyebrows, dark brown upper eye patches, eyelids and white under patches, a black, pointy triangular nose, one notched ear (the history of which is never revealed), and a dark stripe down the center of her head. Zira is opportunistic, cynical, and imposing, letting her emotions control her constantly, which usually leads to her launching into venomous rants and invective. She seems to be patient, as she was willing to wait until Kovu became an adolescent before putting her plans into motion. However, she generally shows little affection even for her children unless they are of use to her, and is willing to kill them if they will not follow her path of vengeance. However, despite her strengths, she suffers the same downfall as Scar; her hatred blinds her, and thus destroys her in the end. Zira does seem to care for her family and her Pride, despite her vindictive nature, showing horror and sadness when Nuka dies, and pride when Nuka and Vitani say or do things that appeal to her plan.