If you are planning a safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one activity stands out above the rest: the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth. This exclusive adventure offers travelers a rare opportunity to go beyond the typical game drive and join researchers in monitoring wild lions in their natural habitat.
Unlike standard wildlife viewing, lion tracking allows you to follow specific lions, learn about their behavior, and witness conservation in action. For safari enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and adventure seekers, this is an unforgettable highlight of any Uganda itinerary.
What Is the Lion Tracking Experience in Queen Elizabeth?
The Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth is a specialized safari activity conducted in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and conservation researchers. It takes place primarily in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the park.
During this experience, visitors accompany trained rangers and researchers who use radio telemetry equipment to locate lions fitted with tracking collars. These collars transmit signals that help the team identify the pride’s location in real time.
This means you’re not just driving around hoping to spot wildlife — you are actively tracking lions with expert guidance.
How the Lion Tracking Experience Is Done
The Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth typically starts early in the morning, when lions are most active. Here’s how it works:
1. Briefing Session
Before heading into the field, visitors receive a short briefing about safety, lion behavior, and the tracking process. Rangers explain how the radio tracking equipment works and what to expect during the excursion.
2. Using Radio Telemetry
Researchers use a receiver and antenna to pick up signals from collared lions. As the signal gets stronger, the vehicle moves closer to the pride. This scientific method greatly increases your chances of seeing lions up close.
3. Observation and Learning
Once the lions are located, you’ll spend time observing them in their natural environment. The rangers share fascinating insights about pride dynamics, hunting strategies, territorial behavior, and conservation challenges.
You may witness lions resting under acacia trees, interacting with cubs, or scanning the savannah for prey. Every sighting is unique.
Why the Lion Tracking Experience in Queen Elizabeth Is So Special
Guaranteed Close Encounters
While regular game drives can be unpredictable, lion tracking significantly improves your chances of spotting lions. Because researchers know which prides are collared, the experience is more focused and rewarding.
Support Conservation Efforts
By participating in the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth, you directly support lion conservation research. The fees contribute to monitoring programs that help protect Uganda’s lion population.
Learn from Experts
This is not just sightseeing — it’s an educational safari. You gain insider knowledge about how conservationists collect data, study predator behavior, and manage human-wildlife conflict.
Perfect for Photographers
Since tracking increases the likelihood of finding lions, photographers have better opportunities to capture powerful and intimate wildlife shots.
Tree-Climbing Lions: A Unique Bonus
Ishasha Sector, located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. While the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth mainly happens in the Kasenyi area, many travelers combine both activities for a comprehensive lion-focused safari.
Seeing lions lounging in fig trees is a rare spectacle found in only a few places in Africa — making Queen Elizabeth National Park even more exceptional.
When Is the Best Time for Lion Tracking?
The Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth is available year-round, but the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer easier driving conditions and clearer wildlife sightings. Early morning sessions are particularly rewarding because lions are more active before the heat of the day sets in.
Who Should Book the Lion Tracking Experience?
This experience is perfect for:
-
Wildlife enthusiasts seeking deeper insight
-
Photographers looking for premium sightings
-
Conservation-minded travelers
-
Repeat safari-goers wanting something different
-
Anyone who dreams of seeing African lions up close
Because the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth is limited to small groups, advance booking is highly recommended.
Why this experience Lion Tracking Experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
A safari in Uganda is already extraordinary, but the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth takes it to another level. It combines adventure, education, conservation, and thrilling wildlife encounters into one powerful activity.
If you want more than a standard game drive — if you want to truly understand Africa’s iconic predators — be sure to request the Lion Tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth when planning your visit.
It’s not just a safari activity. It’s a front-row seat to the wild.

