Experiential Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Experiential lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda gives tourists a chance and allows them to track and observe lions in their natural habitats. For one to participate or carry out lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you should have booked in advance before visiting. Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is approximately 220$ per person for international tourists, 150$ for foreign residents, and 200,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.
The money paid to participate in or carry out lion tracking contributes to the conservation of the lions. About 10$ per fee paid by the tourists is given to the Uganda Carnivore Project which is responsible for lion tracking. You make your payments or bookings to an authorized tour operator like Native Africa Tours. Tracking the lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done in the morning or evening. These lions are tracked using the radiation collars that are put around their necks. Experiential Lion Trekking is one of the latest tourism activities on the block or in Uganda and below is some of the information to know before going for it.
How is lion tracking done in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The game rangers get lions in different parts of the national park under the Uganda carnivore’s project which is responsible for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lions are put to sleep and collars with GPS are installed or put around their necks gently. These collars help in the tracing down of lions during tracking since the researchers use the signals from the GPS to locate them. With the help of a trained lion-tracking guide, and protection from game rangers, you will track down lions until you find them in different groups and see them from a safe distance for some time.
What is the age limit for lion tracking in Uganda?
Tracking lions is not the same as trekking chimpanzees, gorillas, or game drives. Different rules were put up to prevent any form of accidents. One of the rules is that only people above the age of 16 years are allowed to participate in lion tracking.
How long does lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park take?
Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 2-3 hours depending on different factors such as where the lions are located, and the hardships found along the tracking trails, to mention but a few.
How many people are allowed to track lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
About 4-6 people are allowed to track lions per time since tracking lions is a new and still experimental activity, it is risky for many people to participate at once. Also, lions are not used to being around people and are carnival, making it harder to manage many people around them.
Safety measures are put up to avoid any form of accidents
Since lions are carnivals, they are not to be trusted around human beings since they can easily attack and eat tourists. So, to avoid that precautions were taken such as viewing the lions from a safe distance of about 10-20 meters, pre-taking and briefing on lion behavior, habitat, and safety, insights into lion social dynamics, hunting strategies, and habitat use. To mention but a few.
Why are only a few people or tourists accepted to track lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park per given period?
First and foremost, most lions happen not to be the usual games seen during game drives, lions are easily stressed and happen not to be around people so to avoid any forms of eco-system damage. It is better to track them down in small numbers. In addition, lions are very hard animals to monitor, so for researchers to get accurate information. The lesser number of tourists per period is the best way to get accurate results of the lion lifestyles. Since lions can easily be scared by any form of noise, many people are not comfortable with maintaining silence while tracking hence scaring away the lions.
While few people can easily control their noise during the tracking. When people are few, they can easily get a chance to take flash-less photos of the tracked lions when they find them since less noise is made other than when there are many if any accepted to track down lions. To mention but a few reasons.
Other activities that can be done in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Apart from lion tracking, other activities can be done or carried out when you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park which include,
Game drives
Both morning and evening game drives can be done to enable you site different wild animals like Uganda kobs, antelopes, elephants, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, and lions, to mention but a few. These game drives are most times conducted in a 4×4 tourist van that gives you comfortable space to sit and spot out wild animals. Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park take about 2-3 hours of spotting wild animals, taking pictures of wild animals is allowed but maintaining silence is a must-do. The key factor to consider when going for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park or any other park in Uganda is to always keep your eyes wide open so that you do not miss any chance to spot animals around.
Boat cruise
Cruising on the Kazinga Channel is one of the many activities that can be done when you visit or decide to embark on a Uganda trip or Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. A boat cruise takes about 3-4 hours of marveling eyes with the beautiful birds, bathing hippos, crocodiles, and other animals like antelopes, and Uganda kobs to mention but a few will be seen on the banks of Kazinga Channel taking water. Both morning and afternoon boat cruises can be conducted on the Kazinga Channel. Taking photos of the wild animals during the cruise is allowed.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Yes! Chimpanzees can be trekked in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This can be done at Kyambura Gorge located within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimpanzee trekking can be done both in the morning and the evening time according to your itinerary and the timing of the activities. Also, Chimpanzee habituation is done in Kyambura Gorge where one gets to spend time in the presence of these amazing creatures. Permits for Chimpanzee trekking can be acquired at about USD 100 making Chimpanzee trekking cheaper in Queen Elizabeth National Park compared to other Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a good destination for bird lovers since it has different places where birds can be spotted such as Kyambura forest, Maramagambo forest, along Kazinga Channel, and Kasenyi plains, to mention but a few. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to not only wild animals but also birds such as Black bee-eaters, Yellow warblers, billed storks, and Wattled plovers, to mention but a few. About 600 different bird species can be spotted in the park making it a bird haven for bird lovers hence highlighting Queen Elizabeth National Park as one of the many Birding destinations in Uganda.
Community visits
When you decide to embark on a Queen Elizabeth National Park safari or tour, one of the extended activities you should include on your itinerary are or is a community visit. A community visit can be conducted around the Lake Katwe region so that you get the chance to interact with them and learn more about their way of life, culture, and traditions through listening to their stories. You will also have a chance to experience and watch them performing their cultural dances and if interested you can also join them and live in the moment.
Where to stay when you go for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Like any other national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park happens to have different accommodation facilities where tourists can rest when they visit. These accommodation facilities range from luxury to budget-friendly. Some of them include Elephant Plains Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, and Ishasha Wilderness Camp which are luxury accommodation facilities. The mid-range accommodation facilities include Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge and Enjojo Lodge. The budget-friendly accommodation facilities include Park View Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, and Topi Lodge. Enjoy your Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari or tour.
