Can you see lions a year round in Tanzania, Tanzania is widely considered as one of the best safari destinations in the entire world to see lions in the wild. This beautiful country in East Africa is a home to a very large number of these big cats, and then the good news for the travelers is that you can indeed see lions all the year around. Because the weather in Tanzania is generally warm and then the national parks are so large, the lions do not leave or hibernate. They stay in their territories throughout the year, meaning that the whether you visit in the dusty dry season or the lush green rainy season, your chances of spotting a pride of the lions remain very high. However, the safari experience of finding them changes depending on the month you choose for your African safari adventure.
The best places for the reliable lion sightings.
When you are planning an African trip specifically to see lions, some parks are more reliable than others because of their geography. Serengeti National Park is the most famous because it has thousands of lions living across its endless plains. Because there are so many lions there, it is almost impossible to go in a multi day safari in Serengeti without seeing them. Another fantastic place is Ngorongoro Crater. This is a large, sunken volcano caldera with the high walls that keep the animals inside. Because the animals do not leave the crater floor, the lions are very easy to find even for the first time travelers. You can often see them sleeping right next to the safari road or hiding in the tall grass near the water sources.
Viewing lions during the dry season (June to October).
The dry season is traditionally called the ‘’peak season’’ for tourism in Tanzania, and it is an excellent time for the lion watching. During these months, it does not rain very much, which causes the grass to become very short and then yellow. This makes it much easier for your safari guide to spot a lion from a long distance because they cannot hide as easily. Additionally, water becomes scarce in the bush, so the lions will often causes wait near the remaining water holes and then rivers. They known that other animals like the zebras and wildebeest mist come there to drink, so the lions stay close by to hunt. This season offers the best chance to see a lion hunt in action because the predators and their prey are al crowded around the same small areas of water.
Seeing lions in the green season (November to May).
The green season, which includes the rainy periods, offers a different but then very beautiful experience for seeing lions. During these months, the dust disappears, and the landscape turns into a bright green paradise filled with flowers. While the grass grows taller and can make spotting lions a bit more difficult, this is also the time when many animals giver birth to their babies. In the southern Serengeti, for example, thousands of wildebeest calves are born in February. Lions love this time because there is plenty of food available, and then you will often see the lionesses with their own small cubs during these months. The air is very clear, which is perfect for the travelers who enjoy taking professional quality photographs of the lions against a colourful, green background.
Unique Lion Behaviours Throughout the year.
One of the most special things about seeing lions in Tanzania is observing their unique behaviours that change with the environment. In places like Lake Manyara National Park and then sometimes in Serengeti national park, you can see famous ‘’tree climbing lions.’’ These lions have a habit of climbing up into the branches of the large acacia trees to escape the heat of the ground or to get a way from the biting insects. You can see this behaviour throughout the year, but it is a very common when the ground is damp, you can watch the same pride grow and then change over time. Your guide can often tell you the history of the specific pride, including which lions are the leaders and then how many cubs have survived the season.
In conclusion, Tanzania is a dream safari destination for any traveler who wants to see the King of the jungle in its natural home. While the dry season from June to October is the easiest time to spot them because of the short grass and then thin bushes, the rainy season provides a lush and then quiet atmosphere with many baby animals. No matter which month you choose to fly to Tanzania, the lions will be there waiting in the savannah, and with the help of an experienced guide, you are almost guaranteed to have the magnificent encounter with these powerful and then royal cats.
