Beauty is all around you if you take a step and go for lion safaris in Africa, a continent of natural beauty with a variety of flora and fauna in different national parks in the respective countries on the continent. The magical routes in different countries of Africa, with fancy tour cars, give you an adventurous journey to your final destination because you get a chance to glimpse the lavish interiors in different palatial shops and hotels as you make stopovers. You can also experience the unique African cultures and lifestyles, such as dressing codes. For example, the Maasai people of Kenya adorn themselves with ornaments on their bodies, with a Maasai garment called a shuka (a woven, thick, cotton blanket), usually red in color with a striped pattern that is blue. The Baganda of Uganda wear Gomesi for ladies and kanzu for men, although historically they used to wear animal skins called “bark cloth.” There are various languages like Swahili, Zulu, and Luganda, as well as music and dances like the jumping dance among the Maasai people, locally known as Adamu, and the Maganda dance among the Baganda of Uganda. The Kisoga dance among the Basoga tribe of Uganda makes your safari delightful.
Africa, as a continent, has a variety of countries, and some of them are safe and adventurous for lion safaris, especially during the dry season when vegetation is sparse. This allows for easier lion sightings. These include the Northeast Congo lion, African lioness, Katanga lion, white lion, primitive cave lion, Eurasian cave lion, West African lion, black lion, and many others. These lions feed on flesh and hunt for prey like antelopes, zebras, kobs, and many others. They usually roar together, leaving tourists mesmerized. The weaker lions can become prey for antelopes, although the greatest and most feared enemy to lions is humans. Humans hunt and encroach on their habitats, and some are taken to zoos to attract both foreign and local tourists who cannot visit national parks. This, in turn, generates revenue for the government, which is used to renovate hospitals, roads, pay government workers, and more. Lions are of great value in Africa. Additionally, there have been reports of lions attacking and eating human babies, so it’s advisable to always move with a tour guide who has extensive knowledge about wildlife. Lions can also be found in large numbers near watering holes, where they can easily access water. They can also survive in dry seasons by obtaining water from plants and their prey. Even one can easily spot lions very early in the morning and late afternoon because lions prefer cooler hours when they are out to enjoy the bracing and exhilarating weather.
The countries with lions include:
Tanzania: famously known for its largest population of lions in national parks like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, to mention a few. Kenya: In national parks like the famous Maasai Mara, Samburu National Park, Lewa National Park, and many others. South Africa: Famous for having large lions in national parks like Kruger and Kgalagadi National Park. Zimbabwe: In this country, you are free to walk with lions in national parks like Hwange National Park, Matobo National Park, and Mana Pools National Park. Uganda: In national parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park (famously known for its climbing lions), Murchison Falls National Park (which also has reptiles, herbivores, and primates for a breezy safari), Kidepo Valley National Park, and many others.
The types of lions include: • Masai lion (common in areas of Northern Uganda, Southern Kenya, around Lake Manyara, Mountain Kilimanjaro, and Tanga) • African lion (powerful lions) • Katanga lion (mostly in Zaire, Angola, Western Botswana, and Western Zimbabwe)
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You first need to work on your visa, depending on the country or countries you want to tour. For example, if it’s East African countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, you can use a Joint Tourist Visa valid for forty days. Other countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi require tourists from the UK, United States of America, New Zealand, and Australia to process a visa. The required documents include: • Copy of passport with at least six months’ validity • Copy of a recent passport-sized photograph • Vaccination certificates (both COVID-19 and yellow fever) • Return ticket • Travel itinerary
Before embarking on your lion safari in Africa, you need to equip yourself with enough pocket money to buy cultural artifacts that capture the attention of many tourists and other fancy items of your choice. You will need African safari clothing like safari hats, safari shoes and boots, safari jackets and fleeces, safari skirts, dresses, safari lotions, head torch, and a camera to record what transpires during the tour. You should also bring plug converters, among other items. In South Africa, you’ll need safari sweaters, safari boots, insect repellent, a waterproof bag, and a safari water bottle, among other things. In Uganda, you’ll need safari-appropriate light clothing, safari skin and hair care products, waterproof bags, and more. In Kenya, you should bring luggage and packing essentials, African safari clothing, USB flash drive memory cards, and other items. In Zimbabwe, you’ll need safari fleeces, safari shoes and boots, safari jackets, and more. Additionally, you should have a full understanding of the budget, which ranges from humble to midrange and luxury, depending on the country or countries you plan to visit.
- South Africa: For a humble experience, you have to pay $225; for midrange, it’s $225, and for luxury, it’s $550 per day if you decide to go as a solo tourist.
- Tanzania: For a humble experience, you have to pay $275; for midrange, it’s $400, and for luxury, it’s $600 if you decide to go as a solo tourist.
- Zambia: For a humble experience, you have to pay $200; for midrange, it’s $400, and for luxury, it’s $575 if you decide to go as a solo tourist.
- Kenya: For a humble experience, you have to pay $20; for midrange, it’s $300, and for luxury, it’s $500 if you decide to go as a solo tourist.
The national parks in different countries in Africa also offer a variety of activities that are commonly done. These include the exhilarating night game drive, usually done to catch a glimpse of carnivores such as lions, leopards, tigers, and many others, as well as herbivores like hippos. It’s during this time that most of them hunt for food, especially the lions. Night game drives are typically conducted in a tour vehicle with a guide who informs you about the dos and don’ts while touring at night. Other activities include: • Boat trips • Birdwatching • Hiking • Nature walks • Hot air balloon adventures
In African lion safaris, you get a chance to experience many luxurious places depending on your budget in the best African safari destinations. For example, in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, you can find well-facilitated accommodations such as:
- Cresta Thapama Hotel
- Woodlands Stopover and Lodge In the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, tourists have the opportunity to observe herbivores like buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and antelopes. They can also see carnivores that feed on flesh like lions, leopards, tigers, cheetahs, reptiles like crocodiles, turtles, and snakes, as well as primates like monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees, and birds like the black-bellied bustard, robin, hooded vultures, and many others. Activities include hot air balloon safaris, nature walks, and interacting with the local people in the community. Before setting off for this safari, you are recommended to pack: • Safari hats • Safari clothes • Safari sweaters • Waterproof bags Luxury places to stay include (Kenya): • Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi • Giraffe Manor • Fairmont The Norfolk • Hemingway Nairobi • Nairobi Serena Hotel In Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park is known for its large population of lions, and the place is busy throughout the year. The national park also has other carnivorous animals like leopards, tigers, and cheetahs, as well as herbivores like rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope. You can also find reptiles like snakes, turtles, lizards, and birds like the hooded vultures, brown-backed scrub, and robin. Recommended items to pack are: • Plug converters • First aid kit • Head torch • Safari fleeces Activities include birdwatching, nature walks, game drives, and hot air balloon safaris. Luxury accommodations include: • Tembo House Hotel • Doubletree Resort • Maru Mary Hotel • Antonio Garden Hotel • Spice Palace Hotel In South Africa, tourists visiting Kruger National Park can experience luxury accommodations far from home, with carnivores like lions (white lions), leopards, tigers, cheetahs, and many others. Reptiles like snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles can be found, along with herbivores like elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and lions. Luxury accommodations include: • Kapama Karula • Lukimbi Safari Lodge • Imbali Safari Lodge • Inyati Game Lodge
Look no further than Africa when it comes to lion safaris because, as a continent, it offers a beautiful experience and exceptional services.
