Top 5 Places to see Lions in Tanzania : Tanzania is one of the greatest tourist destination/ country in Africa to observe lions, with 40 to 50 percent of the world’s lion population, and they remain a popular safari destination. According to a new survey, Tanzania has the most lions compared to other African countries. Thanks to a large network of protected areas in the form of national parks and game reserves covering at least 300,000 square kilometers, the country now has between 14,000 and 15,000 lions.
The lion is the most gregarious member of the cat family. They live in prides of 15 to 20 members, each with up to three males, numerous adult females (one dominant), and a variety of sub-adults and cubs. Males typically have a territory of 20–400 square kilometers, which they share with multiple female prides. Females do the majority of the hunting, with males assisting in the capture of large animals. They prefer wildebeest and zebra, but they have been found hunting other animals such as buffalo and warthogs outside of the annual migration. They sleep about 20 hours a day due to their high metabolism, and kills are sometimes carried out at night.
In Tanzania, a lion is known as Simba in the local Swahili language, and it is one of the most sought-after animals by many safari visitors. Tanzania has various national parks, reserves, and conservancies where lions can be seen. Tanzania has some of the famous national park and if you visit these best national parks in Tanzania, you will have a good chance of spotting lions on your safari game drive. On safari in Tanzania, where can you see lions? Here are five spots in Tanzania where you can observe lions during your safari.
Serengeti National Park
This is the first place where you can easy see lions in your Tanzania safari tour. The Serengeti National Park is home to around 3000 lions, making it Africa’s largest lion population. About 300 lion prides live in the national park, which may be observed on a safari through the boundless plains of the location. Serengeti National Park is one of the greatest sites to watch lions on safari in Tanzania, and if you travel during the Great Migration, which takes place from April to October, you’ll have an opportunity to see them hunt prey during the wildebeest migration.
Wildebeest, zebra, leopard, gazelle, giraffe, spotted hyena, elephant, serval, agama lizard, rock hyrax, secretary bird, rhinoceros, buffalo, cheetah, jackal, and a wide variety of bird species are among the other famous wild animals you may observe during your safari tour to Serengeti national park, Tanzania.
Ngorongoro crater
Ngorongoro crater is a wildlife viewing site in Tanzania’s northern region and one of Africa’s natural wonders. As a report of 2020, there are approximately 65 to 75 lions on the crater floor, with approximately 8 prides. Apart from the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is another fantastic spot in Tanzania to see lions up close and personal during your safari.
Apart from lions, you might witness wildebeest, leopard, hartebeest, elephant, mountain reedbuck, zebra, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, buffalo, gazelle, and the endangered black rhinoceros on your Ngorongoro crater safaris, Tanzania.
Lake Manyara National Park
This is another good place to see in Tanzania where you can see lions in your safari holiday. The lions in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park are known as “tree-climbing lions,” as they spend the day on tree branches before descending to the ground at sunset. At this park, you can encounter lions, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, servals, and honey badgers, African wild cats, spotted hyenas, African civets, genet (Genetta) species, and many mongoose species, among others. Cheetah and African golden cat sightings are uncommon, Top 5 Places to see Lions in Tanzania .
Elephants, baboons, lesser flamingos, greater flamingos, Cape buffalo, leopards, hippopotamuses, wildebeest, bushbuck, impala, giraffe, zebra, white pelican, yellow-billed stork, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, Nile monitor, white-breasted cormorant, palm-nut vulture, and cobras are among the other notable mammals you will see in your safari tour to Lake Manyara national park, Tanzania.
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park is another site to watch lions. Ruaha is home to 40% of Tanzania’s lion population and 10% of Africa’s overall lion population. The Lions of Ruaha create large prides, with some numbers exceeding thirty, yet the territories are limited, allowing visitors to observe multiple prides in a single day. The Greater and Lesser Kudu, Sable and Roan antelopes, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, zebras, impalas, elands, jackals, and bat-eared foxes are among the other creatures you will see in this national park.
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere national park is the largest national park in Tanzania and is another best place to see lions in your Tanzania safari experience. The lion is the most feared and admired of all the big cats in Nyerere National Park. The “King of the Jungle” is the largest of Africa’s big cats. These fascinating creatures can be spotted in Tanzania while on a wildlife safari in Nyerere National Park. In Nyerere National Park and the adjoining Selous Game Reserve, there are estimated to be between 1,700 and 6,900 lions.
Other outstanding national parks in Tanzania where you can see lions in your safari holiday to Tanzania includes: Selous Game Reserve, Saadani National Park, Burigi chato national park, Tarangire national park, Katavi National Park, Mikumi National Park etc.
When is the ideal time to see lions in Tanzania? Sighting lions in Tanzania is possible all year, although the ideal months to do so are December to February and then June to October, which are cooler than March to May and November.
