Lions are among the most sought after members of the big 5 game. There are a few places that offer excellent lion sightings in Africa and Uganda is one of them. If you are visiting Africa this 2023 for a holiday and you would like to have a thrill of watching the African lions in the wild, then you have every reason to make your safari to Uganda.
Uganda is a special destination where you won’t see only great apes but also all the big 5 game. But when is the best time to see lions in Uganda? On a Uganda safari, the most favorite time to see lions is during the early morning hours and late in the afternoon. This is when lions become active and during hot day, they can be spotted in shady areas as they try to avoid the heat.
The most favorite time to travel to Uganda for lion watching is during the dry season (June to September and December to February). These are the best months when low or no rains are recorded and you can move through the park without worrying of getting stuck in the muddy trails.
Setting off on an early morning game drive/afternoon game drive is a great opportunity to come across these amazing mammals. They are a few most fascinating creatures to watch and you can observe them at the comfort of your 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof.
Amazing facts about lions
African lions (Panthera Leo) survive in the grasslands and savannas unlike primates that live in the tropical forests. They are listed among the vulnerable species under IUCN Red List, with about 23,000-39000 of them still living on earth. Lions can survive in different habitats including zoos unlike mountain gorillas. They are the only cat family that lives in groups (also better referred to as prides), each pride consisting of about 40 members.
During hunting, female lions work as a team and some prides often specialize in hunting mainly bigger prey like giraffes and elephants. Male lions often come to assist at the last moment/bring down the big prey. The lion coalitions often consist of two to four males that usually hunt and fight off threats as a team. The more they work together, the stronger they become hence making it easier for them to take control of their territory or fight any intruder.
Lions are the largest carnivores in Africa with weight range of 150-250kg when they are fully grown. Lions can spend up to 20 hours sleeping in one day. They survive in the savanna grassland protected areas. When they roar, you can hear at distance of 7-8 km. Their night vision is six times more sensitive to light than humans.
The best places to find lions in Uganda
On a Uganda tour, lions should be a must-see but these mammals live in fewer tourist sites. In Uganda, the best places to visit to see lions in their natural habitats include Queen Elizabeth National Park (which also harbors the tree climbing lions), Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park to see lions
Lying in the extreme Northeastern Uganda, Kidepo National Park is one of the best locations to find the African lions in the wild. About 132 lions are believed to be freely roaming in the savannas of Kidepo. The park expands up to 1442 sq.km and this is most visited for game drives. On a morning/afternoon game drive in Kidepo NP, it is possible for you to come across other wildlife including cheetahs, leopards, cape buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, and bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park located in Western Uganda offers outstanding lion viewing safaris. The park is ideal for spotting the tree climbing lions at the Ishasha sector while along Kasenyi plains, you can find more of them roaming in the savannas.
