Lion Tracking Experience in Uganda | A Research and Conservation Partnership

Finding lions in the vast savannah can often feel like a game of chance. On a standard trip, you might spend hours scanning the horizon only to see a distant tail in the tall grass. The lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park changes this. It is a specialized activity that moves you from a passive observer to an active participant in wildlife science. This program is run by the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It is only available in the northern Kasenyi Plains. Unlike a regular drive where you stay on the road, this research mission allows the vehicle to move off the track. This brings you within a few meters of the prides while they hunt, rest, or socialise. Most visitors to Uganda have one major fear: traveling thousands of miles and missing the lions. This experience removes that worry. Because the researchers use radio telemetry, the success rate for sightings is 95%. You are not just looking for lions; you are finding them with scientific precision.

How the Lion Tracking Search Works

Lion tracking is done in the Kasenyi plains, which host a large number of them. It is a unique experience and an active way of learning about lions, making it more of a research. Lion tracking is a research program conducted by The Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP), a program committed to research and conservation of carnivores such as lions, leopards, and hyenas in Uganda. Researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Program actively monitor lions in the Kasenyi plains using locator devices under the supervision of a Senior Research Assistant with a history of being involved in numerous wildlife interventions, including the rescue and relocation of lions. During this experience, you will learn numerous habituation calls of the lions, monitor the weather and the environment of the areas lions call home, and their behaviors. Lions tracked on this experience have radio collars attached to their necks, and with the help of a directional antenna, you can trace them. The antenna detects the movement of the lions, and when they pass by, the antenna is automatically alerted.

Costs and Permit Logistics for 2026

Understanding the budget is a common struggle for travelers. The fees for lion tracking are separate from your daily park entrance fee. Foreign Non-Residents: $100 per person, Foreign Residents: $80 per person, and East African Citizens: 100,000 UGX per person. You must also pay the standard park entrance fee of $40 for adults (Foreign Non-Residents). We recommend booking your permit at least three weeks in advance. Only a few people are allowed per session to keep the lions calm. There are usually two sessions: one at 6:30 AM and another at 4:00 PM. The morning session is often better because the lions are still active before the heat of the day.

Lion Tracking vs. Standard Game Drives

The biggest advantage is the intimacy. On a regular drive, if a lion is spotted, ten or twenty vans might crowd the area. During a tracking session, you are often the only vehicle there. You can hear the lions breathing and watch the cubs play without the noise of a crowd.

What You Will Learn in the Field

This is not a tour; it is a mobile classroom. The researchers share data that you cannot find in books.

You will help record information on a datasheet that goes into the Uganda Large Predator Program database at Makerere University.

You will learn to identify individual lions by the whisker spots on their faces. The researchers will explain the history of the pride. For example, you might track the famous “Kasenyi Pride” and learn about the dominant males like Jacob, who survived a snare trap

Lions in Uganda face real struggles. Habitat loss and poisoning are major concerns. By participating, $10 of your permit fee goes directly to the Uganda Carnivore Program. This money pays for new collars, fuel for patrol vehicles, and community education. Your presence helps keep these lions safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe?

Yes. You stay inside the vehicle at all times. Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are used to the sound of the research engines. They view the car as a neutral object and do not see the people inside as prey.

How long does it last?

The session usually takes between one and three hours. This depends on how far the lions have moved during the night. Sometimes they are near the main road, and other times we must drive deep into the bush.

Can children join?

The age limit for lion tracking is 15 years and above. This is a rule set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure everyone can stay quiet and follow the researcher’s instructions

Making the Most of Your Session

To have the best experience, we suggest a few simple things. Wear neutral colors like khaki, green, or brown. Avoid bright reds or whites as these can distract the animals. Bring a good pair of binoculars. Even though we get close, binoculars let you see the details of their eyes and scars. Most importantly, bring an open mind. You are witnessing real-time science. Sometimes the lions are hunting, which is exciting. Other times, they are sleeping for hours. Both are part of the natural life of a predator

How to Book Your 2026 Permit

Whispers Safaris Uganda manages the entire booking process for you. Because spots are very limited, we handle the paperwork with the UWA offices in Mweya or Kampala. We ensure your vehicle is a 4×4 with a pop-up roof, which is required for the off-road parts of the search. If you are obsessed with seeing the “King of the Jungle” up close, this is the most reliable way to do it in Africa. It combines the thrill of the search with the satisfaction of helping save a species.

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