Where to see lions in Tanzania?
Lions are always on the bucket list of most safari-goers coming to Tanzania. With approximately 15,000 lions, Tanzania holds the world’s largest lion population. If you want to spot these canines, Tanzania truly deserves your lion safari adventure. With 22 parks and a myriad of conservancies, we can guarantee that you’ll spot large prides in almost every safari you embark on.
And to elevate your experience, the country boasts many other predators worth seeing. But where do you go to see lions in Tanzania? We are here to address the elephant in the room. Here are the top places to see lions in Tanzania.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti comes first in the list of the best parks to see lions. This spectacular park boasts more than 3,000 lions spread across its vast wilderness. And because lions love vast, expansive plains, they are very abundant in the central region of the park, also called Seronera.
The Serengeti lions form social groups (prides) of up to 30 individuals. However, it’s common to encounter prides having more than 40 lions, especially in the Eastern Plains (Namiri). The Serengeti hosts more than 300 lion prides.
The Lion King, A film featured in the Serengeti, showcases the abundance of lions in the ‘endless’ plains. To date, Serengeti continues to attract headlines regarding the life of lions.
In March 2023, for example, Bob Junior, the then King of the Serengeti, fought with three younger lions. The fight resulted in the death of Bob Junior, leaving his throne, which he had reigned for years.
While in the Seronera, drive through the plains, watch for a pride near kopjes, where they find shade and vantage points to scan the plains for possible prey.
Lions are spread throughout the park. The southern plains also have a good count of these predators. When the migration is in the south, lions gather around the region to pick off any weak or young wildebeest.
Lions also follow the wildebeest migration as it makes its way northwards. You can see plenty of lion prides during the Mara River crossings.
Ngorongoro Crater
A one-hour drive east of the Serengeti gets you into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In this conservation area, there’s a masterpiece – the Ngorongoro Crater. Though it’s just 264 square kilometers in size, it has a higher density of lions than the Serengeti. This crater has about 70 lions, which is the density of a lion per 3.8 square kilometers.
With just a drive down the crater floor, you are 100% sure to spot a lion sighting. The crater also hosts other members of the Big Five: leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino. You can also watch other animals like wildebeest, zebra, impala, gazelle, and hyena.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara welcomes you to a unique lion species – tree-climbing lions. Lions are land-bound animals, but those found in Lake Manyara and Queen Elizabeth National Park can climb up trees.
Their climbing behavior helps them to escape the heat in the midday and certain insects. Seeing a lion pride resting on acacia branches is a special treat, a scene worth a photo. Apart from these unique lions, you can see other predators like leopards and hyenas.
You can complement your lion safari with a treetop canopy walk in the dense forests or a canoe safari. The other thing you can do is watch the pink flamingos on the shallow shores of Lake Manyara.
Tarangire National Park.
Hidden in the Northern Circuit, Tarangire is another lion area, especially if you want to see them off the beaten path. Here, you’ll see a lion on your own. The number of lions is staggering during the dry season.
Lions travel a long way from other places following their prey. As wildlife congregates in the Silale Swamp to seek out waterholes, lions never stay away from the herd.
Our tip to spot lions in Tarangire is to drive along the life-giving Tarangire River, where they like to hide, waiting for antelopes and zebras. The best time to see lions in Tarangire is from June to October.
Ruaha National Park
If you are looking for an unpopular park with an incredible lion stronghold, Ruaha is no exception. It holds 10% of Africa’s lions in its rugged landscape. It’s the second-largest park in Tanzania and contributes a fair share to Tanzania’s lion population. Estimates put the lion population between 2,000 and 3,000.
The park is large and remote, giving you the chance to spot lions that no one has come across. On your way, you can spot large herds of elephants and occasional African wild dogs.
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve) is also home to large prides of lions. With just a handful of visitors going there, lions are undisturbed, living in a pride of 30 individuals.
The vast plains and woodlands also host elephants, leopards, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and rare antelopes like roan antelopes and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. You can also marvel at the colorful birds along the Rufiji River.
When to see lions in Tanzania?
Lions are available in Tanzanian parks year-round. However, the dry season offers exceptional encounters with large lion prides. The grass is short, allowing you to spot lions easily. The scarcity of water also forces lions to gather around a few remaining water sources.
The bottom line
A lion’s roar can be heard from 8 kilometers away. This is only enough to remind you that you’re in the African jungle. Watching them hunt is an unforgettable experience.
We help safari-goers tick animals off their wish list. With years of guiding clients, we know exactly where to take you to watch your favorite animals. If you’re ready to embark on a Tanzania adventure, please call us.
