Best Places to see Lions in Uganda : The best spots in Uganda to watch lions are, Uganda is so endowed with natural beauty that Sir Winston Churchill dubbed it “The Pearl of Africa.” of the several national parks of Uganda, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a variety of wild animals is protected. These include endangered mountain gorillas. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, which is in charge of preserving and protecting these Uganda tourist sites for future generations, is tasked with protecting and conserving the wild game that these national parks in Uganda preserve, including lions.
One of the few large cats found in Uganda’s national parks is the lion. Over 80% of tourists request that their guides keep an eye out for lions when on game drives, making lions one of the most sought-after wild animals on a Uganda safari. When lions are encountered or sighted, excitement and thrill are evident. A female lion typically weighs between 120 and 182 kilogrammes, and a full-grown male lion weighs between 150 and 250 kilogrammes.
Lions typically live up to 14 years in the wild, although they can live up to 20 years in zoos. In contrast to other animal species and people, female lions typically carry out the majority of the hunting. The average daily meat requirement for male lions is 7 kg, compared to 5 kg for females.
Facts about Lions of Uganda.
Lions live for up to 12 years in the wilderness.
A lioness usually gives birth at the age of 4, and usually to a litter of about 3 cubs.
Male lions develop manes after about 1 year and a half after birth.
Lions roar to attract mates.
Lionesses, the female lions, do the hunting while the males are the protectors.
Hunting in done in packs.
Unlike other species where children or little ones get the first attention, here the little cubs are often times the last in line for their share of food. Lions in male form grab the lion’s share.
The best places to see lions in Uganda include;
Kidepo Valley National Park.
The ideal place for a traditional African safari is Kidepo Valley National Park, which is considered the most remote national park in Uganda. Since lions are always seen on errant rocks throughout the area, Kidepo Valley National area is where most tourists go to see lions there. The robust and expanding lion population in Kidepo Valley National Park is largely attributable to the park’s lion research and conservation initiatives. The Kidepo Valley National Park is not just known for its prides of lions; it also boasts enormous herds of elephants roaming free, leopards, and other exotic animals. CNN listed Kidepo Valley National Park as one of the top travel safari destinations in the world in December 2015.
Murchison Falls National Park.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest sites to watch lions in Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park. Lions can be seen in Murchison Falls National Park, which is a stunning savannah area with Borassus palm trees as a backdrop. During a game drive safari in less than an hour, you can see a pride of lions in Murchison Falls National Park. The lions at Murchison Falls National Park are classified as diurnal, which simply means that they are most active in the morning and in the late afternoon as the sun is setting. If the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is included to Murchison Falls National Park, you can see the African big five animals there.
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park are the area where game drive tourists most frequently visit because it is there that they are most likely to see lions. Typically, the early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see lions.
Everyone who sees the renowned tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park is in awe of them. The lions climb trees and spend their time there resting, keeping an eye on their prey so they can paunch on them at the right moment, or even napping. While perched on trees, lions are known to snooze for up to 15 hours every day. After 8 am is the perfect time to go on a game drive to watch the lions that climb trees.
With more than 250 lions predominantly found in the southern and northern sections, Queen Elizabeth National Park does focus on lion conservation, making lions one of the park’s top priorities.
Therefore, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and the gorgeous Queen Elizabeth National Park are the greatest spots to watch lions in Uganda. However, lions can be found in Uganda’s Lake Mburo National Park and Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, however they are typically heard rather than seen. Therefore, don’t count on seeing lions here; instead, schedule a Uganda wildlife safari to Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, or Queen Elizabeth National Parks.