Lion Tracking In Queen Elizabeth National Park

With the population of lions in Uganda declining, the Uganda Wildlife Authority in partnership with the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) has put an initiative commonly known as lion tracking or experimental lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is an activity like no other. Though many people could be tempted to relate it to Rhino tracking, chimpanzee tracking, and gorilla trekking, the lion tracking experience is different from all these other experiences because it involves encounters with predators.

What is required to Track Lions In Queen Elizabeth National Park

Similar to gorilla trekking, you are required to possess a lion tracking permit to track lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This can be secured at Uganda wildlife Authority offices in Kampala. On top of the lion tracking permit, you are also required to pay the community support fees. However it is important to note that unlike other tracking activities in Uganda, lion tracking is only done 3 times a week.

This is one of the reasons that it is highly recommended to organize your permits in advance, this will you missing out on tracking lions in Queen Elizabeth National park.

How is lion tracking different from the normal game drives in Queen Elizabeth National park

The usual game drives that after often done in Ishasha sector, Kasenyi plains or Mweya are often based on luck. You drive to any of the sectors in case you find the lions well and good, in case you cannot find them, you try your luck the following day. But when it comes to lion tracking, the lions are collared thus having tracking devices in their neck. You will be sure that when you set out for lion tracking, you will find the lions.

The reason for the collars is to monitor the lions are ensure their safety. They are also monitor for research purposes to ensure that they do not go extinct.

If you are on a self drive trip, it is important to organize the tracking permits before hand. Failure to organize the permits in advance will likely make it impossible to make provision for you to track the lion. There are often two tracking sessions, the one that starts at 8:00am and the other one starts at 3:00pm

How much is Lion Tracking?

A lion tracking permit goes for $100 but this is not inclusive of the community support fees. The community support fee is $10 per foreign none resident. On top of this, you will also have to pay park entrances of $40 per foreign none resident. In total each person is expected to pay $150 for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth national park.

For the foreign residents, the rates vary. Each permit goes for $80 per person. The community support fees remain at $10 per person. The park entrances for the foreign resident go for $35. In total, each foreign resident pays $125 per person for lion tracking.

East Africans pay 100,000 for the lion tracking activity. On top of this they have to pay community support fees of Ugx 20,000 plus park entrance of ugx 20,000. In total they have to pay Ugx 140,000