6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa

Are you a big cat lover, then here are the 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa ( best places to visit in 2024). The African Lion, a member of the big cats family can be largely found in different parts of East Africa. Lions are among the African big five animals – a popular crave for most wildlife enthusiasts. These large carts wander territories of up to 100 sq m, consisting of scrub, grasslands, or open woodlands. Lions are the most fascinating of all the big cats, their social structures are unique. The 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa are the best national Parks to visit for lion sighting during your safari to Africa. The 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa include; Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongor, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. If you are still wondering where to see lions in Africa or where are lions in Africa? Or where can i see lions near me? Here is a comprehensive guide to best places to see lions in Africa.

Best places to see lions in Africa – 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa

Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

The Award-winning Serengeti National Park is known to be the real African paradise for those who love big game adventures. The National Park is teeming with large numbers of wildlife and breathtaking views that are charming to witness during your safaris to Tanzania. Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania, where it is adjacent to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, all together forming the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. This Ecosystem is also made up of other conservancies like the Ngorongoro and Loliondo among others.

The Serengeti national park currently supports the highest concentration of large predators (Lions) in East Africa with more than 3000 lions within the park boundaries. For any wildlife lover, a wildlife safari to this award-winning safari park is a must. Sighting lions in Serengeti is easy as you can spot the prides just a few meters from your safari vehicle. You catch a sight as the prides are making a kill if you are lucky enough.

The Lions can be seen during the game drives which is the main way of exploring this vast safari park and also offer excellent opportunities to explore other parts of the park. Safaris here are much more than just lion sightings but also opportunities to spot other natural wonders like the great wildebeest migration. Serengeti is also one of the best safari parks for wildlife photography in Africa. This amazing park therefore makes the top of our 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa list.

Maasai Mara Game reserve – Kenya

The Masai Mara National Reserve, covering an area of 1,510 sq. km, is a renowned wildlife destination in East Africa. Kenya’s Masai Mara is another top lion sighting destination in Africa. Maasai Mara game reserve is Kenya’s(world’s) jewel – an extraordinary wildlife destination. Masai Mara is one of the 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa since it is adjacent to Tanzania Serengeti National Park, all together making one of the great wildlife areas in the world.

It is home to an estimated 400 lions, making it one of the best places to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This national reserve is one of the best places to visit in Africa, where visitors are able to see the Lions just near them. If you are wondering where can i see lions near me, visit Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

The Great Wildebeest Migration, which takes place annually, is another major attraction of the reserve. The migration is a breathtaking spectacle that involves millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures. In addition to lions, visitors can also spot other members of the Big Five, including leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses, during game drives.

The reserve’s vast expanse of savannah grassland dotted with acacia trees and other vegetation provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable safari experience. If you are looking for where to see lions in Africa, Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is a perfect destination for you.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation in Tanzania is one of the best places to visit for wildlife and lion sightings. This area is also famous for its natural wonder, the Ngorongoro crater. The Ngorongoro Crater floor is a phenomenal geographical feature located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is the largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera in the world, formed around 2-3 million years ago. The crater measures approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) in diameter, with walls soaring up to 600 meters (1,968 feet) in height. A great destination to visit for adventures.

The crater floor attracts a number of wildlife including the lion. There are around 60-70 lions inhabiting the crater. The abundance of prey in the form of herbivores such as wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, and buffalos make it an ideal habitat for the lions. The lions in the crater are known for their impressive hunting skills and have adapted to the unique conditions of living within a closed ecosystem.

The combination of stunning scenery, rich wildlife, and the coexistence of predators and prey make the Ngorongoro Crater an exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site and a prime tourist destination in Tanzania.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda – 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most renowned tourist destination, known for its classic big game, primates, and birds. Covering an area of 1,978 km², QENP boasts diverse ecosystems that include sprawling savannahs, humid forests, and more, making it an ideal habitat for lions to thrive.

This unique safari park is a place to visit for unique wildlife and nature encounters. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s popular safari parks especially for its tree climbing lions. Have you ever seen a tree climbing lion? The tree-climbing lions are residents of Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National park – one of the most exciting sightings to behold during your Uganda wildlife safari. The majestic cats rest lazily on top of the acacia tree branches during warm hours of the day. This is a unique and uncommon character in lions.

For those looking for more unique and new experiences, we recommend Queen Elizabeth National Park as one of the best places to visit in 2024 (6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa) – one of the best destinations in Uganda. Besides the tree climbing lions, you can also explore the Kasenyi plains and North Kazinga plains for lion and wildlife viewing experiences.

Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most thrilling and magnificent wildlife destinations in Uganda. It is known for its unique and diverse range of wildlife species, with many of them not found anywhere else in Uganda. The park’s extended savannah landscape provides a home for a variety of big cats, particularly lions. Visitors can witness these majestic creatures during their game drives, especially around the narrus valley region.

The park is also home to other wildlife species such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and numerous bird species. The stunning scenery of Kidepo Valley National Park, including its rugged hills, valleys, and vast plains, makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers and safari enthusiasts. Besides being one of the 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa, Kidepo Valley National Park is also one of the most beautiful safari parks in Africa.

Akagera National Park – Rwanda – 6 Best Places to See Lions in East Africa

Akagera National Park is located in the north east of Rwanda, covering an area of 1122 sq. km. This diverse park boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, including the largest protected wetland in Central Africa. The park is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers, with a wide range of activities available for visitors to enjoy. Lions are one of the wildlife resident in the park although the numbers are not that too much compared to Serengeti and Masai Mara National reserve.

Apart from lions, the park is home to other larger predators such as leopards, hyenas, and the side-striped jackal. These predators, along with the diverse range of herbivores, create a well-balanced ecosystem within the park. Visitors can also expect to see many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, as well as various antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and elephants.