13 Best Places to See a Lion Pride in Action

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There is nothing quite like seeing a lion pride in action. It’s no secret these magnificent creatures are powerful, graceful and complex social creatures. Among the most sought after animals to see on safari are lions, known as the ‘kings of the jungle’. Watching cubs literally tussle playfully or a coordinated hunt by the pride is unforgettable.

So where do you go to see such a beautiful thing? Right from African savannahs to lesser known parks are the amazing places wherein lion prides can be found. Here are the 13 best places to see lions in action if you’re planning a trip or just dreaming about one.

Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve

Lion lovers will be in paradise in the Masai Mara. The reserve is famous for its incredible wildlife density and amazing scenery, and includes several well recorded lion prides. Come during the Great Migration (July — October) and you might see lions hunting migrating wildebeest, with all the skill of a nature documentary, live.

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is just as phenomenal, and is located right next door to the Masai Mara. The park, known for its wide-open plains, is also prime lion spotting territory, with chances to see the cats lounging in the grass, or stalking up to their prey. Prides basking in the golden sunrise is an early morning sight here, something that you will not forget.

South Africa, Kruger National Park

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Many wildlife enthusiasts love Kruger. Its guided safaris and well developed infrastructure make it the perfect place to watch lion prides. Visitors also have the best chance of seeing other large African species including elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard, especially lions, who have a dense population in the south, particularly around Sabi Sand.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

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Lions are among those that the Okavango Delta attracts like a magnet, because it is a unique ecosystem. Prides have adapted to hunting in watery environments and this sprawling wetland is home to them. Big cats have to tread carefully through shallow waters, and it’s fascinating to see.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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With Ngorongoro Crater, you have a caldera full of wildlife. A haven for lions, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An abundance of prey within the crater means prides are particularly active here, and therefore easier to spot during the day.

Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park

For lion lovers, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is a hidden gem. The park has a great lion population and its expansive landscapes and diverse ecosystems are home to this great population. Visit in the dry season when waterholes become meeting places for prey and their predators.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park

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Lions are best experienced on foot, which is why South Luangwa is famous for walking safaris. You won’t get any close on foot, but with so many prides in the park, you’re almost sure to see them, especially around the Luangwa River where they prey gathers.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

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A stark but stunning backdrop for lion watching, Etosha’s vast salt pans and surrounding savanna are a backdrop. Lions use waterholes here as hotspots for wildlife activity and to take advantage of the gatherings to hunt. You should bring a camera as the setting itself is picture perfect.

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

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Ruaha is a quiet gem for lion sightings that is often overlooked. Thanks to fewer visitors than you’ll find in other Tanzanian parks, traversing here feels more intimate. According to Africa Geographic, Ruaha prides are known to contain up to 20 members and are also very large.

South Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park

Addo is better known for its elephants, but it also has lions. Unlike other parks that offer the land safari vibe, this park provides a slightly different vibe since its terrain consists of forest, coastal areas and a unique type of terrain. Seeing a lion pride here is like finding a hidden side of the park.

Tsavo National Park, Kenya

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It is well known for its maneless lions. Not all the lions here are maneless, but the park’s rugged terrain and dramatic landscapes make any sighting feel like a fun adventure. Predator activity is particularly well known in Tsavo East.

Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park

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Uganda’s iconic tree climbing lions, a rare behavior that is fun to see. Most lions prefer the ground, but in prides here, they often perch in fig trees to get away from heat or insects. That is quite unusual and this is what differentiates Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park

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Kidepo is remote and every lion sighting in this park feels special because of how isolated it is. Prides seem straight out of a wildlife film on the rugged arid landscape.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.