In contrast to traditional game drives, lion tracking is one of the best ways for visitors to experience Uganda and gives them a chance to get up close and personal with lions in their natural environment. Driving after them allows you to observe them up close while learning about their feeding habits, behavior, and natural habitat.
But the Uganda Carnivore Program’s skilled and informed researchers are in charge of this amazing endeavor. The best method to participate in Lion Tracking is to purchase a ticket and take part in this valuable life event.
Actually, the only national park in Uganda where lion tracking is practiced is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is only accessible in the northern “Kasenyi plains” sector. Furthermore, the park is among the greatest national parks in which to enjoy these exceptional safaris in Africa. It was founded in 1952 and is situated in western Uganda.
In actuality, the park is surrounded by a picturesque scenery that includes forests, meadows, lakes, gorges, craters, savanna grasslands, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. In addition, the park is home to more than 600 different species of birds and more than 95 mammals. Among the animals that can be seen are buffalo, lions, leopards, and elephants.
Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth National Park is about a five to six-hour trip from the center of Uganda. Alternatively, you can take a local flight from Entebbe Airport to Aero Link Uganda, which will take you to Mweya Airstrip, Kasese, or the “1-hour landing” at Ishasha, which is close to the park.
Lions are a major attraction in the park, even though it is a lion conservation unit. More than 250 of the largest cats can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s northern and southern regions.
In addition to the typical lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the world’s largest population of unusual tree climbing lions. The southern section of the park’s Ishasha sector is the greatest place to experience these tree-climbing lions.
The ideal time to see these tree-climbing lions is during an afternoon wildlife drive, when they are hanging languidly from enormous fig trees. Don’t forget to bring along a good camera so you can capture memories for later.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s research division oversees the “UCP” Uganda Carnivore Program. The Uganda Large Predator Project was the name of this program when it began in the 1990s.
Concern that the “canine distemper virus,” which was wreaking havoc on dogs in the Serengeti National Park, was spreading to predators in Uganda led to the creation of the Uganda Large Predators Projects. After further investigation, it was discovered that poisoning, not the distemper virus, was killing Uganda’s lions.
With the endeavor to monitor and conduct some research on predators in the park, a choice was taken continuously. Along with other activities, the project grew to include community conservation. In any case, additional partners joined the project, but it eventually changed its name to the Uganda Carnivore Programs.
They keep an eye on the predators’ movements and provide protection.
They educate young scientists who aid in moving park animals and offer suggestions that enable the government and foreign partners decide on important funding choices and areas of interest.
International volunteers and student researchers with an interest in wildlife conservation are hosted by this project.
Dr. Ludwig Siefert has been in charge of the Uganda Carnivore Project since the 1990s. In addition to being a professor at Makerere University, Dr. Ludwig was the project director and has made important contributions to wildlife conservation and research.
In addition to assisting with predator research in Uganda’s other parks, Dr. Ludwig has helped secure money for the project. and James Kalyewa and Kenneth Mugyenyi, his senior staff assistants working on the project While Mugyenyi is the community scout in charge of community outreach initiatives, Kalyewa keeps a regular eye on the predators.
Following a lion or group of lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park allows you to gain additional insight into their behaviors, feeding patterns, and social dynamics.
You must reserve your permission in advance if you want to participate in the lion tracking activity.
The cost of the Loin Experience is USD 100 per person per day for non-residents, USD 80 for foreigners, and UGX 100,000 for East African members. Note: There is an additional $10 USD to be paid. The Mweya Information Center sells permits directly, however it’s more simpler to purchase them through your travel agent.
For the Uganda Carnivores programs, park officials offer USD 10 per reservation; however, park admission is not included in the price. Only a certain number of persons are permitted to take part in the activity.
For lion tracking, there are three sessions each day: morning, afternoon, and night. Each session lasts two to three hours. Please be aware that we encourage punctuality if you decide to participate in any of the sessions. The lead tracker or researcher will update you on the day of the activity, and you can anticipate an amazing journey with these exceptional lions.
The greatest place to see lions, including the unusual tree-climbing lions, is Queen Elizabeth National Park. Thanks to recent developments in tracking technology, it is quite possible to track them without being let down.
In the end, park armed guides who wear radio collars to make it easy to locate the dominant lioness of a pride can assist with lion tracking. In addition, lions typically stray from the pack to delineate their territory. By remaining with the main group, lionesses allow researchers to keep an eye on all the other lions, including Alpha’s men and cubs.
It is preferred by researchers to collar a lioness who is old enough and in good health but not pregnant. After determining the exact moment, the lioness is rendered unconscious with a sedative before the collar is placed around the lion’s neck.
In actuality, it may take the lioness two days to adjust to the collar. In order to prevent the kings of the jungle “cats” from becoming stuck when traversing dense grasslands, the researchers make sure the collars are flexible and comfy during installation.
A GPS device reads the radio frequencies sent by the battery-operated collars to determine the precise location of the lions each time the frequency is dialed or called up. More specifically, when the lions get close by, the tracking device’s beeping sound gets louder.
Keep in mind that lions tend to travel a lot when there is little game. It can cover an area of 40 square kilometers if there is sufficient prey. Then, their domain can cover up to 400 square kilometers in the food-scarce area.
Researchers can monitor lion pride’s movements and determine whether they are in danger from nearby villages thanks to the radio collars. The researchers typically tell the visitors about the biology, habitats, and risks of the lions while they are being tracked. You will discover that the female lion is the one that searches for food, and that lions live for 12 years.
The male’s job is to keep the family safe and ensure that no one else enters their domain. On average, a lioness gives birth to three cubs.
The truth is that lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park differs greatly from regular game drives.
Vehicles remain on predefined tracks during a typical game drive.
Depending on where the lions are, the driver may choose to veer off the main road and enter the savannah while monitoring them. To prevent the prime of lions from being chased away, the driver cuts the motor as soon as the group is close to them. If you’re lucky, you might watch researchers taking samples from the lions after the tranquilizer is applied, including blood, urine, saliva, ticks, and DNA.
You will have a rare chance to see a lion family up close if you are fortunate enough to witness the entire pride. While grownups rest, you will observe the kids playing. Be aware that lions express their concern with location knowledge through a variety of vocalizations.
The lion is a territorial animal.
The dominant male typically marks his territory by rubbing his mane against shrubs, making holes with his hind legs, or even urinating near the big trees in his area. His powerful scent serves as a warning to potential invaders.
A dominant male or two “often brothers” lead lion prides.
The black manes of male lions are much bigger than those of females. Because they carry out the majority of the hunting, lionesses, despite their smaller size, control a lot of the group’s activities.
Even though they may appear smaller, lionesses will defend their cubs from males if they are in danger.
In addition to tracking lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may also engage in other amazing activities while there, including as monitoring chimpanzees, bird watching, cultural encounters, Kazinga boat cruises, hiking and nature walks, and seeing crater lakes.
You can also combine your safari vacation package with a visit to Masai Mara National Reserve, where you can participate in the world’s largest natural migration event, or with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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