The Top 5 Places to See Lions In Tanzania

The Top 5 Places to See Lions In Tanzania

Tanzania is an ultimate safari in Africa with some of the biggest and most varied populations of lions. In its national parks and game reserves, you can see prides patrolling the savannahs, lionesses hunting at dawn, males roaring to show their territory and even the rare occasion when lions are found resting in trees. Tanzania is the place to see these powerful predators in the wild; regardless of whether you are on a luxury safari, a budget camping trip or a photographic expedition, there are year-round opportunities to view these awesome predators in their natural habitat. The trick is to know where to go and when to go on your lion safari to ensure that you get the best out of your trip.

The following are the top five places in Tanzania where chances of seeing lions are not only possible but very likely, and also the best seasons, landscapes, and wildlife encounters that make each park unique.

1. Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is the jewel of Tanzania and one of the most recognised Tanzania safari destinations on the planet. The 14,000 square kilometres of its sweeping plains, rocky outcrops (kopjes), and woodlands scattered across the land are home to more than 3,000 lions, making it one of the largest lion populations anywhere on the continent. The Serengeti is the best place to observe lions at work-lions napping in the shade, defending their territory, or stalking in the open plains.

It also hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration, a wildlife show where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles cross the plains to find greener pastures. This perpetual movement of prey attracts lions in large numbers and provides dramatic predator and prey scenes, particularly between June and October. There are lions throughout the year, even in the absence of the migration, because the Serengeti has resident wildlife, which means that lions may be found throughout the year, and prides are frequently seen around Seronera Valley, Lobo, and the kopje-strewn Moru region.

2. Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is the phenomenon of nature, a huge volcanic crater full of wildlife. It is about 260 square kilometres in size and has steep crater walls surrounding it, hence having one of the highest concentrations of lions in Africa. This closed ecosystem has large herbivores like wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, and gazelles as its source of sustenance, thus supplying its pride of lions with a steady source of food.

The Ngorongoro lions are reported to be so comfortable with vehicles to the extent that intimate encounters are common. This is in part because they have no major human threats in the safety of the crater, and due to the year-round supply of prey. The open grasslands make it relatively easy to see, and the sightings of the lions are not uncommon, with lions being spotted even a few meters off the roadside.

3. Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a lion-watching destination that is easily overlooked because of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. In northern Tanzania, Tarangire is a striking landscape of baobab trees, sweeping savannahs, and a large herd of elephants, and it also has healthy populations of predators, including lions.

The Tarangire River is the lifeline of the park, which draws a huge population of herbivores during the dry season (June to October). This density of the prey facilitates the observation of lions, who usually sleep in the shade in the middle of the day or hunt the unsuspecting prey that come to drink. There are also smaller and more personal safari experiences in Tarangire than in the more renowned parks, fewer vehicles, and more intimate wildlife experiences.

4. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is an inaccessible and wild safari park in the south of Tanzania and has one of the biggest populations of lions in East Africa- there are thoughts that it has over 10% of the surviving lions in the world. Ruaha is a large national park of more than 20,000 square kilometres, with large open wilderness in which lions co-exist with elephants, buffalo, and other big mammals.

The size of the prides is one of the most amazing features of Ruaha. Some prides can contain over 20 members and are therefore among the largest documented in Africa. These huge prides usually prey on large animals like buffalo and even giraffes, and some of the most exciting predator-prey action you will see during a safari.

The parks of Ruaha are not as popular as the ones in northern Tanzania, so the sightings are more exclusive and untouched. The most suitable time to visit is during the dry season (June to October) when animals concentrate at the Great Ruaha River, providing good opportunities of seeing lions and other predators. The remoteness of the park is also ideal for the traveller who wants a real wilderness experience.

5. Lake Manyara National Park

The most well-known thing about Lake Manyara National Park is the rare tree-climbing lions. These big cats, unlike the lions in most other parts of Africa, have acquired a strange habit of sleeping in the acacia trees where they sling themselves around branches to avoid ground heat or insects. A rare sight to see one of these lions sitting in a tree, against the beautiful landscape of Lake Manyara.

Tanzania Advice- Best Lion Sightings

Visit during the dry season (June to October) and see how the wildlife congregates at the water holes, and also see the lions easily. Plan to drive early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are the most chances of viewing lions when they are active, because they mostly rest during the heat of the day. The more parks you visit, the more sightings you will increase, giant prides in Ruaha and tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, among others. And finally, employ local guides who are conversant with the area where the prides are and their locations.

Conclusion

Whether it is the vast plains of the Serengeti, the rich floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, the baobab-dotted vistas of Tarangire, the wild unknown of Ruaha, or the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa to see lions. The two parks have their scenery, natural dynamics and photography potential. You may wish to observe the crude drama of a hunt, the beauty of a lion in repose, or have a glimpse of unusual behaviours, and the parks of Tanzania will provide memorable experiences to all safari visitors.