Best National Parks to see lions in Tanzania 

Tanzania has the largest lion population in Africa.

The vast land is set for conservation by the government of Tanzania. One-third (⅓) of Tanzania’s land is dedicated to conservation.

Best known as the king of the jungle. King of the Beast.

Lions are the top wild cats on the travel bucket list for many clients visiting Tanzania.

Panthera Leo is the scientific name for lions. Well, spread worldwide.

But lions are still on the top list of the world’s favorite cats to be seen on Earth.

Tanzania hosts around 10000- 15000 lions across Tanzania parks and game reserves.

Each park and circuit offers a different number of lions and lionesses.

The question is: Where are the best places to see lions in Tanzania?

What are the best places and parks to see lions in Tanzania?

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park – Home to the deadliest African lion

Well known for the wildebeest migration in Africa.

Serengeti is home to the highest concentration of wild cats on Earth, including lions.

The lion population is found in the Maasai Mara ecosystem. ( Serengeti- Mara ecosystem ).

The Serengeti is home to nearly 3,000 lions. There is ample food and space on the rolling plains of the Serengeti.

Give lions the best chance to prosper in this park.  Along the migration, millions of herbivores cover this land.

Provide the best opportunities for hunting and expanding their pride.

Given that, the migration spans two countries, Kenya & Tanzania. The great migration does not involve wildebeest alone.

But also tens of thousands of zebras and gazelles.  Join the movement from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya.

As a result, this offers the best chance for visitors to see thousands of lions. In open landscapes. ( the endless plain) .

The fantastic view of the Serengeti is incomparable with any other park in Africa.

The Serengeti Lion Project is a notable study that has been ongoing for over 40 years.

They track the population and habits of lions available in the Serengeti.

And nearby parks like Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater.

“Nowhere else in Africa supports quite such concentrated plenty of hoofed meat. amid such an open landscape.
and so the Serengeti is a glorious place for lions and an ideal site for lion researchers”– David Quammen, National Geographic Magazine

When is the best time to see lions in the Serengeti?

The best time to see lions in the Serengeti is from July to October. You should visit during the time of year when you can see the lions in the Serengeti.

Suppose you want to coincide with the wildebeest migration. If you plan to witness the Mara River crossing, the best time is July to September.

In case you miss the river crossing session. You should consider visiting Serengeti from January to March.

This season is known as the Serengeti calving season. This is when Serengeti is at its most natural.

The hunting and killing in the southern Serengeti are at their peak. It could not be suitable for the heart and stomach, but it is the law of the jungle.

Lions do what they are supposed to do ( Hunting and Killing ).

If you don’t like the crowded season, focus on the low season, which runs from November to March.

During this time, you could have a more relaxed adventure. And witness the green terrain washed by rain.

It is also the best time for a photography safari and low-budget trips in Tanzania.

A Serengeti National Park lion safari can be combined with Tarangire or the Ngorongoro Crater.

For the fix of other pride of lions available across the northern circuits of Tanzania.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater- Largest lions of Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater is an incredible, extended caldera. Formed as the result of a massive volcanic eruption.

It is a bowl-like structure that attracted thousands of wild animals within its rim.

Ngorongoro remains a permanent lion sanctuary to think about while in Tanzania.

Lions found in the Ngorongoro Crater are larger than other lions found in Tanzania.

There is ample food and easy-to-catch prey within the crater.

Gives these lions the best opportunity to grow in numbers and extend their pride.

The only challenge for these lions is inbreeding.  This is pausing the immunity challenge for diseases.

Additionally, Ngorongoro remains the best wildlife destination in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro Crater shares an ecosystem with the Serengeti. You can combine your lion safari with the Serengeti.

For a quick fix of other available lions, consider this wildlife circuit in Tanzania.

When is the best time to see a lion in the Ngorongoro Crater?

Lions can be seen year-round in the Ngorongoro Crater.

The dry season, from June to October, is the best time for game drives.

Visiting during this time will give you the best opportunity to experience lion hunting on-site.

Also, if you will be visiting the Serengeti for the wildebeest migration, it will be the best combined trip in Tanzania.

Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve- The best place to see maneless lions

Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa, covering 55,000 km².

Selous is home to various lion species, including maneless lions.

It is very common to see lions ( males) with manes, but here the story is different.

It’s still a mystery why these lions have evolved this way.

Selous Game Reserve hosts thousands of lions in Tanzania and across Africa.

The estimated population ranges from 1,600 to 6,900 lions.

In addition to its immense pride, it also hosts the highest population of other wild cats.

Including endangered species of African wild dogs. Selous is also the best destination for walking safaris.

While other parks focus on game drives, Selous offers the best opportunity to track lions on foot.

This experience is well known as walking safaris guided by armed rangers.

When is the best time to visit Selous for a lion safari and tracking?

Like other parks, Selous is worth visiting during the dry season.

The dry season runs from June to October and from January to March.

When the grass and bushes are scattered, it is the best time to see lions hunting and killing prey for food.

How to combine the Selous lion safari with other parks?

Selous National Park is best combined with Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks.

These parks are located in southern Tanzania. Selous is also accessible from Zanzibar.

Or from other parks in Tanzania by using chartered flights.

Selous is the giant of the south, renowned for the Big Five or for thousands of birds.

Don’t forget that while on your lion safari in these parks, you can enjoy the camping experience.

And night game drives to experience the live hunting by lions during the night.

Ruaha National Parks- Largest lion pride in Tanzania

You might have heard of the “lion glade.” There is no other place on Earth than Ruaha National Park in the southern highland of Tanzania.

Ruaha is a lion’s pride in heaven in Africa. Ruaha is Tanzania’s second-largest national park after Nyerere National Park.

Ruaha accounts for 40% of Tanzania’s lion population and 10% of Africa’s lion population.

Ruaha is magnificent for the lion population. It is the only park in Tanzania where you can see a pride of more than 200 lions.

Ruaha is a less popular park in Tanzania and one of the few parks where humans have not yet made their mark.

The Ruaha River (Ruvaha) provides the best kill zone for lions to hunt large prey.

Lions in this park hunt African Cape Buffalo, the same as those on Duba Island in Botswana.

When is the best time to visit Ruaha for a lion safari?

You can visit Ruaha National Park for a lion safari during the dry season. The heavy rain in March, April, and May is unsuitable for game drives.

Especially if you’re looking for lions, they do not prefer wet environments, except in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

In the case of Ruaha, you should focus on visiting from July to October and from January to February.

How do I visit Ruaha National Park, and where should I stay?

You can drive from Dar es Salaam or fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam.

The flight cost is higher than at other parks due to the limited number of routes to this park.

You should plan to stay for 2-3 days to enjoy this giant park in southern Tanzania.

There are a few luxury and mid-range camps and lodges inside and outside of this park.

You could plan with your safari operator to secure your booking.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park – Meet the Tree-Climbing Lions

Lake Manyara is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania.  Lake Manyara is nested within the Great Rift Valley of East Africa.

This park is well known for tree-climbing lions in Tanzania.

It is a magical experience for many visitors to these parks to see lions hanging in trees.

There are many reasons these lions have adapted this behavior. This behavior is typical among leopards.

The park’s wet climate may be the primary reason this lion learned to climb trees. Many wild cats do not prefer water.

If you need to see tree-climbing lions in Tanzania, you should visit Lake Manyara National Park.

This park is near Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

It is an ideal plan to combine your lion trip in Tanzania with visits to other parks for a quick fix of the lion safari.

When is the best time to visit Lake Manyara for a lion safari?

The good news is that Lake Manyara can be visited at any time of year. However, focusing on the dry season could be the best idea.

This park offers sunrise and nighttime game drives when combined ,You could be in a better position to spot lions either hunting at night or in the daytime.

Conclusion

Tanzania is a destination beyond imagination for lion populations and wildlife safaris.

The highest level of conservation gives Tanzania the green light.

It is the best safari destination to think about while planning to visit Africa.

Lion populations are increasing year over year. Despite the global threat to the lion population.

Poaching activities for trophies and medicinal reasons are posing a threat to lions.

A joint effort is the only way to ensure the lions remain in the wild and survive and thrive.

Not only in Tanzania but across the world.  Welcome to  “SIMBA SAFARI DESTINATION IN AFRICA”

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Our team will be happy to assist in designing your bespoke safari experience. Feel free to contact us now. 

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