Best National parks in Tanzania to see lions on a game drive

Tanzania is a wildlife haven in Africa and opens more chances of seeing lions while on a game drive in most of the National Parks of this country. The Serengeti National Park tops the list of Tanzania National Parks with high opportunities to see lions. 

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The Great Wildebeest migration is the highlight for all safaris in Tanzania, where pride of lions have plenty to choose from as wild animals start their great exodus each season. The weak wild animals become victims of these savages. The great wildebeest migration starts from Serengeti National Park about June to about September until animals cross the Mara River into Masai Mara National Reserve.

While on the Tanzania safari, you may also get the opportunity to see lions in Ngorongoro National Park, Ruaha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and others.

To get the most out of your Tanzania safari, open your mind to seeing other animals living in the National Parks of Tanzania. These animals include Rhinos, herds of elephants, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, Jackals, wildebeests, impalas, elands, gazelles, waterbucks, bushbucks, and others. Although not all these animals live in Tanzanian National Parks, most of these parks are game-rich and scenic.

You need to pack the right Tanzania safari gear, not forgetting a pair of binoculars, as sometimes the lions move into the deeper ends of the Park where there are no tracks. Some of the lions have tags that are used to monitor them. During a safari in Tanzania and your interest is to see lions, you may use the trackers to find these lion but prior booking is needed. You need to make this booking with the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.

Where To See Lions On Tanzania Safari?

Seeing lions is not a guarantee all the time while on safari in Tanzania, as game drives are a probability activity where animals are not confined to a particular location. To get the best of your Tanzania safari too see the lions, you may use the service of trackers but this may not be as exciting as you feel when you meet them with no device assistance.

Serengeti National Park

The highlight of all Tanzania safaris is a visit to Serengeti National Park. There are high chances of seeing lions in Serengeti National Park, although not a guarantee all the time. Serengeti National Park is famous for hosting the genesis of the great wildebeest migration each year. The great wildebeest migration is one of the world's natural wonders where millions of animals travel from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania northwards to Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. 

What triggers these wild animals to start their trek is still a mystery, and so is the starting time of the great wildebeest migration. Most ungulates join the great wildebeest migration like wildebeest, impalas, elands, waterbucks, gazelles, zebras, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes and others.

During the great migration, even carnivores like lions, cheetahs, Jackals, and hyenas get their fill, especially with the weak migrants who cannot continue with the journey. This is the Fiesta season for these savages to select what to eat without having to struggle. 

The climax of the great wildebeest migration is at the Mara River crossing 

as most of these animals push their way through the crocodile-filled Mara River to the other side of its banks where there is better pasture. The lions choose the best at this moment to feast on as the Mara River turns bloody.

Serengeti National Park is open for safaris all year round, even though it is not the great wildebeest migration season. While on safari in the tracks within this Park, you may have a chance to see the pride of lions in the jungle. Look out for other amazing animals too like gazelles, leopards, hyenas, zebras, elands, impalas, cape buffaloes and others.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of the game-rich National Parks in Tanzania, with opportunities to see lions. There are opportunities to see lions in action in Tarangire National Park especially during the mini wildebeest migration in this Park. The Park gets its name from Tarangire River that conditions the different vegetation zones of this Park.

During the game drive through the tracks of Tarangire National Park, you may spot animals like lion, leopards, cape buffaloes, impalas, hyenas, herds of elephants, waterbucks, zebras, elands, impalas, oribi and others.

Keen birders may get an opportunity to spot interesting birds that spend time in Tarangire National Park.

Ngorongoro National Park

Chances of spotting lions in Ngorongoro National Park are more open as this park seats on the floor of the famous Ngorongoro crater the world's Largest dormant crater. Masai natives share this Park too as they may be seen grazing in it sometimes.

During the game drive in Ngorongoro National Park, you may spot wild animals like lions, hyenas, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, impalas elands, leopards, wildebeest, hartebeest, cheetahs and others.

While on Safari in Tarangire National Park, you may visit the Olduvai Gorge, where Louis Leakey discovered the skull of early man.

For a Masai cultural experience, you can take a walk to the Masai Manyattas to learn more about their unique cultures that depend on cattle keeping for survival. Learn about their conservative cultural behavior where women are the stewards of the home and much more.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a game rich destination of Tanzania where you may get chances to see animals like lion, cheetahs, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, cheetahs, elands, gazelles, wildebeest and several others.

While on a game drive in Ruaha National Park, you enjoy its incredible scenery and rich vegetation cover. There is a long list of birds that live in this Park, with more than 571 bird species recorded.

Lake Manyara National Park

If you are looking for tree climbing lions in Tanzania, Lake Manyara National park is the place to be. During the morning or afternoon game drive in this Park, you may get the opportunity to also spot out other animals like leopards, waterbucks, Impalas, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, hyenas, elands and others.

Enjoy the view of Lake Manyara, whose shoreline is often graced by thousands of water birds feeding from its marshy banks. 

When is the best time to see lions on a Tanzania Safari?

The season for the great wildebeest migration offers more chances to see lions in action in Serengeti National Park. In general, lions may be sighted in the different safari destinations in Tanzania any time of the year, but the dry season opens more chances to witnessing lion drama. The dry season is normally June to September and December to February when grass is generally lower with clearer visibility.

Lions may be seen camouflaging in the dry grass to sneak on the ungulates that love feeding in the open plains. This is the peak Tanzania tourism season, so it is best to secure your accommodation to use on safari in advance. There is high demand for safaris and competition for accommodations limit options for last minute tourists.

The wet season is usually the low tourism season too but usually there are less safari vehicles on the tracks so if you wish to have less interruptions while searching for lions and others game, this may be the suitable season.

Sometimes you may get chance for discounts on some Tanzania safari logistics like accommodation, vehicle hire and others as service providers try to break even.

During the Tanzania safari, do not just focus on seeing lions because this may deprive you of the chance to enjoy the entire experience, and there is plenty to see in the wild. Most of the Tanzania National Parks are endowed with great scenery and plenty of fauna and flora to enrich your African safari experience. Lions live in the wild and are not restricted by anything from traversing the open plains as they prowl on their prey.

Is There Age Limit To Game Drives In Tanzania?

There is no age limit to safaris in Tanzania; however, children should be in the company of their parents or guardians. During game drives, do not let children stick out their heads or shout, as this may cause the wild animals to run away or charge.

Do not Keep children out of your sight while at the lodge, as they may wander into the Park where predators are. Brief the children about what to expect while on safari and how to behave on tour so that they are not shocked when on the ground.

Do not expect toilet breaks when on a game drive in Tanzania even for children so prepare them in advance. The wilderness is wild with hungry carnivores that hide in the bushes and may pounce on you when you least expect it.

Why book a Tanzania Safari?

Tanzania is home to the starting point of the great wildebeest migration that is the Serengeti National Park, and you can make history by being present as the season starts. Attending the great wildebeest migration is on the bucket list of most adventure seekers, and you can make memories when you book your Tanzania safari.

When you pay park entrance fees before entering the Tanzania game parks, you contribute to the funds that support the continuous conservation campaign. Part of the money is used for park maintenance, paying salaries for the ranger guides, medical treatment for the injured wild animals and much more.

If you are a wildlife photographer or documentary maker, Tanzania offers some of the best destinations to capture the great moments in the wilderness. There is plenty to add to your wildlife collection and an opportunity to witness everything as it happens while on Tanzania safari.

When you visit the communities living closer to the Tanzania game parks and support them with their crafts, learn about their daily life, and teach them new tactics, you give them a chance to appreciate the relevance of having the wildlife parks in their midst. The Masai are the best beneficiaries of the local community visits during Tanzania safari because of their unique life, even when modernity takes over most African cultures.

What To Pack For Tanzania Safari

• A foldable water bottle where you have to keep some drinking water for quenching your thirst while on safari.
• Safari shoes especially if you have to walk as the ground is sometimes very hot and also your feet need to be protected from the rough surfaces in the wilderness.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects that may cross your way like tsetse flies
• If you have to trek the chimpanzees, ensure you carry the right safari boots that will protect your feet from the harsh conditions in the jungle.
• Safari hat or cap to protect your head from the dust and buzzing insects
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• Some warmers because most safari destinations in Tanzanian experience cold conditions early morning and late afternoon.
• Safari wear in colors that are wilderness friendly in colors like khaki, tan and others. Try not to use colors that can attract stinging insects like blue, black and white.
• For chimpanzee trekking safaris in Tanzania, you need a mask as this is one adopted measure to prevent chimpanzees from catching human communicable infections. Chimpanzees have about 98% human DNA which makes them susceptible to human communicable infections which may lead to there massive death.
• Extra batteries fully charged to exchange with in case you one runs low.
• Duffel bag so that you can carry your belongings in case you have to help yourself.
• Some cash to use for on ground purchases as credit cards are no easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
• Snacks to munch on when you are on safari in case you get hungry.
•  A camera to keep memorable moments while on safari in Tanzania. There are many moments that happen.
• Travel Adapter and charger in case you need to recharge your gadgets. 
• First aid kit in case of any emergency during your visit in Tanzania 

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