Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second-largest national park in Uganda, located in the western part of the country. This park covers approximately 1,978 square kilometers spanning across about four districts, which include Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri districts. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a variety of attractions that you should look forward to spotting or seeing once you visit there. Some of the attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park include elephants, antelopes, lions, spotted hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, different bird species, including migratory birds, primates like monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees. From the various attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, several tourism activities are also conducted or driven from there, and among them is the lion tracking activity. And below are the frequently asked questions about Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or all you need to know about the Lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What is the meaning of lion tracking?

Lion tracking is a tourist activity which involves searching for lions in 4x4 wheel vehicles with the help of trained tour guides and experienced researchers who track down these lions using GPS that are put on the collars which are put around the necks of these lions.  

Where is lion trekking done in Uganda?

Lion trekking in Uganda is only done in one travel destination or national park, and that is Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Kasenyi plains, located in the northern sector of the park.

How is lion tracking done in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

During the lion trekking experience, a group of not more than 4 tourists guided by trained game rangers, guides, and a group of experienced researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) is driven in a 4x4 wheel vehicle to track down lions with the help of the GPS that is put on the collars around their necks. These lions at times tend to move long distances of approximately 40 kilometers away from the areas where they can easily be spotted in search for food, mostly when preys are scares in the park. The lion tracking activity is done in three sessions or three times a day (Morning session, Midday session, and the Evening session), which sometimes goes up to nighttime. Each session of lion tracking activity takes about 2- 3 hours while driving a round searching for lion prides, which may have approximately 3- 25 lions. You will also get to learn more about the lifestyle of these lions, depending on the data collected by the researchers. After locating or finding a certain lion pride, you will be given time to watch these lions from a safe distance and get to witness how lions behave.

What is the best time to do lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The best time to do or carry out lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the dry season of the year (June to August and September to December). This is because during the dry season, the driving trails are dry and more accessible than during the wet season, when the trails tend to be muddy and slippery, which hinders accessibility. Also, during the dry season, the lions tend to be more active and in more open areas than during the wet or rainy season, where they tend to go into hiding from the rain.

Is there an age limit for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes! There is an age limit on the lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is 15 years of age. This means that people or individuals who are 15 years and above are the ones allowed to participate in this activity.

What to pack for a lion tracking experience?

There is nothing special to pack for a lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park; you will have to pack items or things that are packed for game drives on safaris. These items include a pair of binoculars, a refillable drinking water bottle, insect repellent, a personal first aid kit, a camera with extra batteries, sunscreen, a hat or cape, to name a few.

Other activities done in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Apart from Lion tracking, there are other travel activities that are done in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and these include game drives, birding, boat cruises, guided nature walks, and chimpanzee trekking, to name a few.

How much is lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs approximately USD $ 100 to $200 for foreign non-residents, $80 to $150 for foreign residents, and about Shs100,000 to Shs200,000 for East African citizens. Those interested in lion tracking, all you have to do is book with a licensed tour operator or company like our and we will be able to make the necessary arrangements, and all you have to do is show up on that day. Always remember to book as soon or early as possible since the lion tracking permits are limited. Here is a sample for a Uganda lion tracking safari.