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Top Places to See Lions in Tanzania: A Safari Guide

Tanzania, formerly known as Tanganyika, has countless places where tourists can spot lions.

These include:

Serengeti National Park

This park is located in north-central Tanzania and is home to carnivores that feed on meat. Most of them are very fast, capable of chasing and tiring their prey, such as leopards, cheetahs, and lions (Serengeti is renowned for its large lion population).

Reptiles, which are vertebrates with backbones and are cold-blooded, also inhabit the park. These include snakes, lizards, turtles (which hide under their hard shells when threatened or move into the water), and crocodiles (which move into the water to protect themselves when threatened).

Herbivores, a major part of the food web, include elephants, zebras, rhinos, buffaloes, pandas, and many others. The recommended means of transport are air and road transport. Air transport, while the fastest, is more suitable for tourists with a luxury budget.

You can fly from either Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport, which is located 200 miles from the park’s southern entrance, and it takes 1-5 hours to reach your final destination. Road transport is commonly used by tourists traveling with their families.

They move in safari vehicles from Arusha, buying bracelets styled with beads of different colors, safari African hats, medium-sized wooden flags of Tanzania, and clothing, which enhances the tourists’ experience.

The entry fee at the park is as follows: Adults (nonresidents) pay US$70, residents pay US$35, children (nonresidents) US$20, and residents pay US$10. Children below the age of five are privileged to enter for free.

You will never find a rainbow when you are looking down. Look up into the sky and fly with a hot air balloon safari at Serengeti, where you soar like buzzing birds in the air while enjoying the fresh, gusty, howling wind.

Lion viewing during a nature walk will quell all your doubts, and you’ll come to realize that sometimes fairytales can turn into reality.

The scratching noises from the birds in trees will provide a bedtime lullaby. Accommodations include Mbalangati Serengeti, Seronera Wildlife Lodge, African Safari South Serengeti Ndutu, and many others.

Ngorongoro Crater

The means of transport to this park is either by road, which involves moving in a safari car arranged by the chosen tour guide. It takes two to four hours to cover the 185 km distance to reach the shining Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha.

Alternatively, one may opt for air transport, the fastest means, by flying from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip, and finally to the twinkling crater. It’s always a good idea to see for yourself so as not to be deceived.

At this park, tourists can walk around and see yellowish-gold lions with brown amber eyes, especially during the dry season when they are all over the park looking for water. This makes tourists eager to visit the glittering crater again.

The interaction of tourists with the local people fosters a bond between the two parties. Each learns from the other; for example, the exchange of different languages brings natives and visitors closer.

The local people strive to understand elite words they may not know, while the tourists make an effort to use local language words to fit into the society. Not to forget the African vigorous dances of the local people, which leave tourists speechless.

Ngorongoro Crater leaves tourists whispering to each other after taking a glance at the elegant, angelic first-class rooms in luxury hotels such as Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, The Retreat at Ngorongoro. Mid-range hotels include Ngorongoro Collider Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, and humble hotels like Samawe Suites, High View Hotel, Crater Rim View, Green Hills Lodge, and many others.

The entry fee at this park is as follows: Adults (residents) pay 35.4 USD if above 16 years, while children between 5-16 years pay 11.8 USD.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park offers a variety of remarkable activities, such as lion viewing, where lions can be seen climbing Acacia tree branches and posing as models.

This activity is accompanied by taking photographs of lions during night drives when the lions have woken up from a twenty-hour nap to eat.

The campfire at the park allows tourists to connect with the environment as they get the chance to see the entire landscape of the park while following the tour guide to the camping site.

Campfire involves eating roasted meat, drinking, and talking about different life experiences. However, it’s advisable not to discuss horror lion stories, as this may end up scaring your companions.

Some tourists prefer indoor sleeping while viewing the bright lights in the sky. Accommodations include Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge, Tarangire Treetops Lodge, Octagon Lodge, to name a few.

The entry fee for resident adults is 25 USD in high season, while in low season, they pay 22.5 USD, and children pay 7.5 USD. Citizens’ adults pay 11,800 TSh, while children (5-15 years) pay 2,360 TSh.

Tarangire National Park

To view lions at this park, you need to pay an entry fee of 50 USD if you’re a foreigner, while tourists from East African countries pay 10,000 TShs. The means of transport to this park can be by road, a three-hour drive covering 140 km, or air transport, where tourists fly from Kilimanjaro International Airport (46 km from Arusha).

The park is home to a variety of animal species, including zebras, giraffes, antelopes, rhinos, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, monkeys, baboons, snakes, lizards, and many others.

Activities in the park include hiking, tracking, bird watching, and more. Accommodations include Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Tarangire Safari Lodge, Tarangire Baobab Tented Camp, Tarangire Treetops, and many others.

Ruaha National Park

At Ruaha National Park, you can see carnivores, herbivores, primates, and reptiles, and you can enjoy activities like lion viewing, birdwatching, visiting nearby communities, nature walks, trekking, and more.

You cannot access the National park premises unless you pay 30 USD if you’re a non-resident, and children pay 10 USD (5-15 years).

Accommodations include Jabali Ridge Lodge, Kwihala Camp, Ikuka Safari Camp, Asilia Africa Lodge, and more.

Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park is located in South Eastern Tanzania and is the largest national park in Tanzania. It is home to carnivores, primates, reptiles, and herbivores.

This park is also part of the Selous Game Reserve and offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from luxury to midrange to humble. You can choose the one that suits you best.

The entry fee for this park is $50 for both residents and non-residents, while children pay $30.

Tanzania is a welcoming destination for all people, and it is a tradition to extend a warm welcome to foreigners, as long as they do not pose security threats. Come and experience the paradise of crystal-clear waters in Tanzania.



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