Lion Tracking Experience in East Africa

Lion tracking is an exciting experience that has currently gained popularity among adventurous travelers on East Africa Safaris. The immersive experience offers travelers a deeper encounter with the kings of the jungle beyond a normal game drive.  Travelers join researchers and a team of conservationists, giving them a bigger opportunity to learn the behaviors of lions, the ecology, and the normal lifestyles of these big cats in the wilderness. Unlike in the normal game drives, where travelers struggle looking for the lions, the experience is different in the lion tracking adventure. Travelers are 100% sure of meeting the cats. Superfine Safaris is your best guide for a lion tracking experience in East Africa. In this article, we give you details about the experience. What the day is like and the best places for lion tracking in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania

How is lion tracking conducted?

Use of Radio Collars and GPS

In order to locate lions, researchers and park rangers use radio collars and GPS. In this modern technology, a radio caller onto the man Lioness in the pride.  The radio callers send out signals through GPS, alerting researchers and travelers to the exact location of lions.  Researchers and travelers follow signals from the radio callers to the point where lions will be at that point

Move with Expert Guides

At the start of the experience, travelers are allocated an armed expert to escort them to and from. These guides read and follow the signals from the radio callers, giving you a chance to see the lions without any hustle. Also, these pert guides extensively educate you about lions, their social behaviors, habits, and conservation efforts to save lions in the wilderness.

Off-track Driving

In lion tracking, travelers drive off track to allow travelers to the exact point where the “Kings of the Jungle” will be. This is so different from the usual game drives where safari vehicles must stay in designated tracks.  Lion tracking allows off-track driving, making it more experiential. Drivers are advised to switch vehicle engines when they approach the lions to avoid disrupting them

The focus in conservation

The main focus of lion tracking is to conserve the endangered cats.  The money collected from the sale of lion tracking permits is put back to fund conservation projects, support anti-poaching patrols, pay rangers and trackers, and also facilitate with local communities to prevent human wildlife conflicts

Best Places for Lion Tracking in East Africa

Where are the best places for lion tracking in East Africa? Wondering where to go for lion tracking in Uganda, Kenya, or Tanzania? No worries, here is the list of the best places for lion tracking in East Africa.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the main destination for lion tracking in Uganda. The experience is done in the Kasenyi plains run by the Uganda Carnivore Program (UPC), a body that conserves and monitors carnivores in Queen Elizabeth National Park. During the drive, travelers get a chance to see other wild animals in the park such as Elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, leopards, and impalas, among others. Also, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the rare tree-climbing Lions seen in the Ishasha sector, southern region of the park. The common tourist activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include game viewing, boat cruising on the Kazinga channel, bird watching, visiting crater lakes, and community tours, among others. The other best places to see lions in Uganda include Murchison falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks

Serengeti National Park

Famous for the annual wildebeest migration, Serengeti National Park is also a great spot for lion tracking in Tanzania.  The experience is operated by the Serengeti Lion Project, which guides travelers to track lions, giving you a chance to get up close with the kings of the jungle in the wilderness

Ngorongoro Conservation crater is another best spot for lion tracking in Tanzania.  The project is run by the Kopelion project, which works together with local communities adjacent to the park to promote lion and general wildlife conservation.  The kopeLion project is an extension of the Serengeti Lion Project in Serengeti National Park

Ruaha National Park, located in southern Tanzania, is yet another interesting spot for lion tracking experiences in Tanzania.  The park gives travelers chances of seeing high concentrations of Lions

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Park in south western Kenya is known for sheltering a high number of Lions in the world. The high concentration of lions in the savannahs of Masai Mara National Park offers travelers a high chance of seeing these amazing big cats

Cost of Lion Tracking Experience

The cost of lion tracking is different in each country. This cost is not part of the normal park entrance fees, meaning a traveler pays for it separately from the park entrance. In Uganda, lion tracking costs $20 for foreign nonresidents, $150 for foreign residents, and 200,000 shillings for East African citizens. Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Superfine Safaris Limited helps you reserve them on time

Do I need to book in advance?

YES, lion tracking requires booking to enable timely and smooth preparations. Also, the number of travelers allowed to engage in lion tracking is limited, which favors advance bookers.

Best lion tracking packages

Our customized 3-day lion tracking tour is enough for you to experience this lifetime adventure. On day 1, you arrive and transfer to When Elizabeth National Park. Day 2 is for lion tracking and boat cruising at Kazinga channel, while day 3 is for an early morning game drive and departure.  If you have much time, Superfine Safaris can customize an extended trip that includes lion tracking and other wildlife experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park and other  tourism destinations in Uganda

Age limit for Lion tracking

Travelers aged 15 years and above are the ones eligible for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.  Travelers are asked for passports and other travel documents  to confirm their age

In conclusion, lion tracking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you should experience on your next Uganda safari. Contact us at Superfine Safaris for a customized, affordable lion tracking adventure in Uganda