Lions

Lion

The lion is the most sought after species by safari goers. Lions can be observed in most of the popular, protected wildlife areas. Including areas with particularly high densities offers good chances for observing behavior. These charismatic big cats are most active at night and only eat every three or four days, however they are opportunists who will use a nearby water source to ambush diurnal species. They also stay attuned to the signals of vultures soaring to snatch an easier meal in the daytime. Lions often sleep for hours during the day earning them the nickname of ‘flat cats’. Selecting regions with a high population density and/or access to night drives allows for the chance to enjoy behavior beyond nap time.

As majestic and iconic as they are, lions make for challenging neighbors, and predator-livestock conflict continues to be one of the major obstacles for lion conservation. This reinforces the need for conservation tourism models that include substantial benefit to local communities in order for the programs to be successful long-term.

Lion Itineraries

Quintessential Tanzania: River Crossing Season

-Top wildlife regions of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit
-Biologist informed planning to see the world famous Great Migration river crossings
-Private naturalist guide from The Wild Source (name and bio provided at booking)
-Private vehicle with unlimited mileage and fuel
-Learn from biologists at our Njozi Northern Serengeti Camp

Quintessential Tanzania: Calving Season

-Top wildlife regions of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit
-Biologist informed planning to see Great Migration calving and herds in the thousands
-Private naturalist guide from The Wild Source (name and bio provided at booking)
-Private vehicle with unlimited mileage and fuel
-Learn from biologists at our Njozi Ndutu Camp

Botswana: Best of the Delta

-Unbeatable value (under $10,000 per person for a 10-night peak season safari in Botswana)
-Three private concessions of the Okavango Delta
-Opportunities for some of the best leopard, wild dog and sable antelope sightings in all of Botswana
-Track wild dogs with your Bushman guides, whose ancestors have nomadically patrolled this land for 10,000 years
-Magic under canvas – all three authentic tented camps

Ultimate East Africa: River Crossing Season

-The best of The Wild Source private guiding in both Tanzania and Kenya
-Designed to cater to full-day, serious wildlife viewing, flexible meals in the bush, and avoiding crowds
-Wildlife biologists who have unmatched knowledge of the local animals
-Strategically planned for best chances of Great Migration river crossings
-Authentic tented camps with a classic safari feel

Ultimate East Africa: Calving Season

-The best of The Wild Source private guiding in both Tanzania and Kenya
-Designed to cater to full-day, serious wildlife viewing, flexible meals in the bush, and avoiding crowds
-Wildlife biologists who have unmatched knowledge of the local animals
-Strategically planned for best chances of Great Migration calving and herds in the thousands
-Authentic tented camps with a classic safari feel

Kenya Expedition with Top Private Guiding

-Private guiding with Kenya’s most legendary guides (Ping or Peter Kiyaa)
-Best of the world famous Mara Reserve plus additional exclusivity of a private conservancy
-Support local ownership – Enaidura is majority guide-owned and operated, Mara Siana is 50% Masai owned and 50% female owned
-Full days on safari with ultimately flexibility of a private vehicle
-Diversity of activities – game drives, night drives, off-roading, walking safaris, Maasai culture

Botswana: Ready For Action

-Dry season safari, with high chances to see large quantities of animals gathered around limited water sources
-Best timing for African wild dogs denning with puppies
-Plentiful groupings of buffalo in the Mababe Depression increase chances of seeing daytime lion hunting
-Authentic tented camp Okavango Origins, site of BBC and Disney Nature filming of wild dogs
-Sunken photo hide at Mababe provides wonderful viewing opportunities of elephant herds

South African Splendor: Cape Town and Sabi Sands Safari

-A diverse itinerary in regions and activities, but with the simple logistics of traveling to one country – great for first-time safarigoers
-The best of a Big Five safari experience in the Sabi Sand private reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park
-Safari in the private reserve means fewer vehicles and camps, and no day trippers or public campsites like Kruger
-Delicious wine, stunning scenery and outstanding culinary delights in the charming Cape Winelands
-See Africa’s cosmopolitan side and breathtaking coastline in modern Cape Town

Deserts of Namibia

-Experience the other worldly landscape of Namibia’s sand dunes, ancient deserts, magnificent rock formations and exquisite stargazing
-Wildlife viewing in Namibia’s best national park, Etosha, where large congregations of animals gather around water holes
-Hand feed giraffes in a historical guesthouse at the start of your journey
-Travel on your private journey with an expert, local naturalist guide from Ultimate Safaris
-Stay at luxurious lodges designed to blend in with Namibia’s unique landscape

Into the Botswana Wild with Victoria Falls

-Visit one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, during high water season
-Scenic cruise on the mighty Zambezi River
-Safari along the Chobe River where elephant flock in huge numbers during the beginning of dry season
-Two authentic tented camps in private concessions of Botswana’s Okavango Delta
-Full variety of activities that make southern Africa special (walking, mokoro, motorboat, fishing, off-road game drives, night drives)

Botswana Desert and Delta Safari

-Top wildlife viewing regions of Botswana at 40-50% discount off peak season
-Focused on private concessions where there are very few vehicles traversing extremely large areas
-Expert guide AND a tracker per vehicle to increase chances for wildlife sightings, especially predators
-Green season magic – well-fed and watered animals, lots of baby herbivores, dramatic lighting for photography
-Avoid the higher crowds and inaccessible prices of peak season

Kenya Family Safari

-Family-oriented with private guides, family tents, and a private bush house with a pool
-Special kids’ activities, including bush tracking, local school visit, Maasai cultural learning
-Explore the best regions of the Mara for charismatic big cat sightings
-Visit the unique Laikipia region, inspiration for the animators of “The Lion King”
-Diverse activities to beat boredom! (day and night game drives, guided walks, horse riding, camel treks, sleep outs, Samburu cultural visits, mountain biking)

Tanzania Elevated

-The quintessential “bush and beach” combination – perfect for honeymooners
-Luxurious safari camps offering the best locations with peak service
-Private naturalist guide from The Wild Source and private vehicle throughout safari
-Classic game driving plus crater hikes, cultural visits and beach adventures
-Snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments and more on stunning Pemba Island

Kenya Elevated

-An off-season luxury safari at a 40% discount compared to peak season
-Secret February wildlife – resident Loita herd of 200,000 wildebeest in the Mara calve in mid-February, big cat viewing is typically excellent
-Crowds much smaller than the high season
-Stay at exquisite luxury camps, including the most famous in Kenya, Mara Plains
-Pair the Mara with the stunning, unique scenery of Northern Kenya and the Chyula Hills

Botswana Elevated

-Exquisite luxury camps offering supreme service
-Combines the best two regions of Botswana for diverse wildlife viewing: the Okavango Delta and Selinda Reserve
-Private concession areas only, limited to a small number of guests traversing extremely large areas
-Off-road game driving with incredibly close viewing of predators
-Variety of activities including walking, night drives, boating, mokoro canoeing and off-roading

Ultimate Uganda

-The best that Uganda has to offer for wildlife aficionados in under 2 weeks
-Ample time on foot with our primate relatives, with both chimp and gorilla trekking
-Boating safaris – ply the waters of the famous Nile River and the Kazinga Channel, watching for elephant and crocodile on the shores, and hundreds of bird species
-Track lions on the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and game drive in a private concession area of the park, staying along the water
-Witness vibrant community and local life as you drive through large swaths of the Ugandan countryside

African Explorer Safari

-Unique pan-African itinerary combining two of the continent’s best wildlife viewing regions
-Authentic, intimate tented camps with legendary guiding by Diesel or Dicks in Botswana and Ping or Peter in Kenya
-At Okavango Origins camp, pay homage to the Bushman, who nomadically patrolled this area for 10,000 years
-Visit a natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, between your two safari countries
-Seasonally dependent possibility to view world famous Great Migration river crossings in the Mara

Zambia Walking and Waterways Safari

-A vintage safari experience staying in remote, intimate bushcamps, with excellent guiding and lots of adventure including river-based activities
-Explore on foot in the South Luangwa,the birthplace of walking safaris, where animals are habituated to humans on foot
-True night drives, staying out for long periods of time rather than just a quick sundown drive on the way back to camp for dinner.
-Exceptional guiding by local Zambian guides
-Wildlife ranges from the iconic safari species (lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, hippo, zebra and more) to rarer species such as the African wild dog.

Essential Diversity: River and Desert

-Luxury on the wild side – designed for the safari connoisseur seeking rarity and luxury along with the full diversity of wildlife
-Private guide and vehicle at both camps for ultimate flexibility and exclusivity
-Explore the lush, diverse river ecosystem of the Lower Zambezi National Park, where night drives are a highlight
-Visit the best place to find rare species – Tswalu Kalahari – including possible pangolin, aardvark, meerkat, and brown hyena
-Combine and contrast the extreme diversity of river and desert ecosystems with smooth logistics

Ruaha National Park view of elephants crossing the river

Serengeti and Ruaha Research Safari

-Rare opportunity to travel outside of the Northern Circuit with your private guide from The Wild Source
-Research-focused itinerary where you can participate in hands-on conservation work at your camps
-Classic, down-to-earth camps with authentic canvas style and no frills
Iconic big cats and Great Migration viewing in the Serengeti
-Explore the lesser-known Ruaha National Park to look for buffalo, large prides of lions, and exceptional concentrations of elephants

Classic Zimbabwe: Hwange and Mana Pools with Victoria Falls

-Adventurous itinerary that features the thrilling walking safaris and ‘big games approaches’ Zimbabwe is known for
-Excellent value year-round with an affordable safari experience at classic bush camps
-Zimbabwe is known for its incredibly high standard of guiding, with some of the most respected professional guides in Africa originating here
-Outstanding wildlife viewing in Hwange and Mana Pools, especially elephants, and 8 large carnivore species
-Visit the mighty and majestic Victoria Falls

Tanzania’s Wild Frontier

-Tanzania without the crowds – experience seclusion in the Southern parks
-World class chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale Mountains
-Diverse activities with night drives, walking safaris, boat trips, swimming in Lake Tanganyika, forest walks, village visits
-Utterly off the beaten track at boat-in only Greystoke Mahale
-A melting pot of unique animal and plant species not found elsewhere in East Africa

Southern Tanzania’s Untamed Wonders

-Off the beaten path in southern Tanzania
-Intimate, authentic tented camps hearkening back to the original days of safari
-Outstanding predator viewing including possible lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, and hyena
-Hands-on conservation – help set/check camera traps and contribute to biodiversity audit data collection
-A nature lover’s paradise – sleep under the stars, fish and boat, walk and night drive

Best Places to see Lions on Safari

Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti have terrific densities of lions. The Mara Conservancies are particularly good for action with the allowance of night drives and off-roading.

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is great for finding lions in the classic poses on rock outcrops (kopjes). Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania may be the best kept secret; it is lightly touristed yet has some of the highest densities of lions with especially great sightings possible during the dry season.

Despite a smaller population of lions relative to East Africa, Botswana ranks as one of the best locations due to the quality of safari experience within the private concessions. The sandy ground allows for exciting tracking, and off-road and night driving allow observation during the most active times. Many lion prides in Botswana focus on large prey such as buffalo and hippo, which also makes for interesting viewing.

Other Areas of Note

Zambia’s Luangwa Valley is one of the 10 lion strongholds in Africa, according to the Zambia Carnivore Programme, while the Greater Kafue holds the country’s second largest population.

South Africa’s Kruger area and the adjacent private game reserves are strong for lion populations. However, regions should be selected with consideration to avoid crowding pitfalls. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Etosha National Park can all have excellent lion viewing in desert landscapes despite having lower lion densities.

The Selous region of Tanzania and the Niassa Reserve of Mozambique have some of the largest populations of lions, but the areas are large with limited tourism access making sightings less reliable.

Something Extra

In Kenya and Uganda, there are opportunities to go out with lion researchers who track collared lions by radio-telemetry. Similarly, from King Lewanika Camp in Zambia’s Liuwa Plains National Park, guests are staying at the only permanent camp in the entire national park with the opportunity to set out in search of lions with the Zambia Carnivore Programme to find the small, recovering population of descendants of the late Lady Liuwa.