Best places to see lions in Uganda

Best places to see lions in Uganda; Lions also known as the king of the jungle are the largest carnivores and one of the big five mammals in Uganda. lions live in prides of 2 to 40 lions and in the wild they can live for up to 14 years while in the zoo for about 20 years. a full grown male lion can weigh between 150 to 250 Kilograms while a full grown female lion can weigh between 120 to 182 Kilograms. The gestation period of lions is 110 days and females produce at the age of 4 years for 1 to 4 cubs which can weigh about 1.2 to 2.1 Kilograms. Male lions are usually thrown out of the group by the dominant males at the age of 3 to 4 years and they try to take over a pride when they are about 7 to 10 years old. Females lions are responsible for hunting and also raising their cub.

Lions are one of the top attraction and most sought after animals in Uganda after the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In Uganda, the lions can be seen in three savannah national parks that is Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park.

Where to see lions in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest protected area in Uganda and one of the national parks that harbours lions. Queen Elizabeth national park is a home of about 95 mammals and over 600 bird species and it’s also famously known for harbouring the tree climbing lions which are found in Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park and will be viewed lying up in acacia or fig tree branches during the game drives. Lions in Queen Elizabeth national park can either be seen during the early morning or afternoon game drives in Kasenyi plains, ishasha sector or during the night game drive in mweya peninsular.

Lions in queen Elizabeth national park can also be seen during the lion tracking experience in Kasenyi plains where visitors will get an opportunity to view different prides of lions at a close range and also learn more about their behaviours, feeding habits among others.

Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is another savannah national park in Uganda that harbours lions. Murchison falls national park is the largest protected area located in north western part of Uganda. lions in Murchison falls national park can either be seen during the early morning or afternoon game drive or during the night game drive in the park with a professional driver guide and an experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide.

Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park is an isolated and one of the most beautiful savannah national parks in Uganda that harbours lions. The national park is located in the north-eastern part of Uganda in Karamoja district between Uganda border with South Sudan and Kenya. Kidepo valley national park in known for harbouring the highest number of lions which can be viewed during the early morning game drives or the evening game drives in a 4WD pop up safari vehicle with a professional drive guide who is well conversant with different game track trails.

When is the best time to see lions in Uganda?

Lions in Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park can be seen all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore vegetation in the parks will be short which gives you an opportunity to spot lions easily and also access roads and game drive tracks will be dry and passable.

Lions in Uganda can also be seen during the low/rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there are few tourists in the national parks therefore you will be able to explore the savannah national parks with few crowds.

For more information about the best places to see lions in Uganda, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages to see the king of the jungle in either kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park or Queen Elizabeth national park.