An African safari’s greatest prize is frequently a lion. No animal can roar in the night or stalk the plains with the same strength and dignity as a lion. Despite the difficulties they face, lions can still be seen, frequently with ease, in several southern and eastern African parks and reserves. For our list of the top ten locations in Africa to observe lions, continue reading.

1. Kenya’s Masai Mara

There are many lions in the Masai Mara. Large prides of lions wander the Mara from the Masai Mara National Reserve to the more upscale Maasai-run conservancies that border the reserve to the north and east. This is the typical safari landscape. In addition to providing excellent visibility for lion viewing, the savannah grasslands and light forests are the perfect habitat for lions. For those who wish to avoid the crowds, the conservancies are particularly good.

The dry season, which runs from June to October, is the greatest time of year to spot lions in the Masai Mara. They play a significant role in the great migration experience, which peaks in September and October and starts in the Mara in July or August.

2. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti’s expansive plains are ideal for lion viewing. There are usually plenty of lions around, regardless of whether the huge wildebeest migration is passing through. Lions are most frequently sighted in the Seronera area of the Central Serengeti, but you can see them anywhere in this amazing park when you go on a game drive. It’s a very Serengeti sensation to see a family of cubs playing on top of one of the kopjes (rocky outcrops) that are so common here.

The best time to watch lions in the Serengeti is from July to February or March, when it’s usually dry and ideal for lion viewing. Beginning in January and February in the southern part of the park, the great migration travels north through the park until it enters Kenya’s Masai Mara somewhere between July and September.

3. South Africa’s Kruger National Park

There is nowhere better in Africa than Kruger National Park if you want to watch lions. This is a great area to watch not only lions but also big cats in general, thanks to its hundreds of kilometers of conveniently accessible safari routes and first-rate lodging options. With so much open terrain and a variety of prey to attract lions, visibility is also very good.

The mildest and driest weather is often experienced from May to September, although there is never a poor time to watch lions in Kruger.

4. Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park

The finest site to see lions in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park. You’re most likely to spot them in Kasenyi and, to a lesser degree, Ishasha. Several prides that prey on the vast herds of kob antelope that flourish on the plains can be found in Kasenyi, where sightings are most common.

Ishasha, on the other hand, is home to fewer lions, although it is notable for being one of the few locations where they frequently scale trees. Nothing compares to peering up into the branches of an umbrella acacia or African sycamore fig and seeing a whole pride of lions staring back at you.

The dry seasons, which span from January to February and June to July, are the ideal times of year to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park in order to spot lions.

5. Timbavati & Sabi Sands (South Africa)

The privately managed Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Nature Reserve, which are part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, are equally as good as the national park itself (there are no walls separating them), but they are less crowded. These two reserves are among the best spots in Africa to watch lions and are well-known for their big-cat sightings. Additionally, Timbavati is one of the few locations in Africa where a few white lions may be found.

When is the best time to watch lions in Timbavati and Sabi Sands? Sabi Sands and Timbavati are open all year round, just as Kruger National Park, although May through September are typically the driest months.

6. Botswana’s Okavango Delta

There’s a reason why the Okavango Delta is the setting for so many lion-focused wildlife movies. Although sightings are never assured, the Delta has one of the greatest lion concentrations in southern Africa, and lions prowl the islands and canals of this magnificent location. This holds true for both the Moremi Game Reserve and the exclusive private concessions that make up a large portion of the Okavango.

The greatest months to spot lions in the Okavango Delta are July through October. The majority of the lodges remain open throughout the dry season, and the water levels are high, which prevents the animals from spreading out into the surrounding area.

7. Namibia’s Etosha National Park

The finest site to watch lions in Namibia is at its top safari park. It is estimated that around 700 lions roam this amazing habitat, and they are frequently seen hunting, feeding, or simply lounging by the park’s numerous waterholes. Because there isn’t much foliage in a large portion of the park, lions can be seen from a great distance, which just heightens the excitement.

The best time to visit Etosha to view lions: Come between July and October, when it’s dry, to see Etosha at its best and have a better chance of sighting lions.

8. Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which spans a sizable portion of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, is renowned for its golden grasslands, its status as the San people’s homeland, and its potential to host some of Africa’s largest lions. For instance, male Kalahari lions are distinguished by their rich, dark manes. They starred in the beloved novel “Cry of the Kalahari,” published in 1984.

The best time of year to watch lions in the Central Kalahari is any time of year, although May through September can be extremely cold at night and in the morning. Generally speaking, December through March are the finest months.

9. Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park

Cecil, a majestic male lion who was murdered by a hunter just outside of Hwange in 2015, caused an international uproar, will always be known as the previous home of Hwange National Park. It’s one of the only sites in Africa where lions are known to hunt elephants, and Cecil’s young and many other lions still inhabit this wonderful park. If you’re fortunate enough to witness this, it will be an incredible battle.

Best time to watch lions in Hwange: July through October, which is the middle and end of the dry season, is the best time to see wildlife in Hwange. Around October, when water is in short supply, lion-elephant battles typically take place.

10. Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is a profoundly underappreciated park, and Zambia receives considerably less safari visitors than it merits. Among many other species, lions and leopards are among its most well-known inhabitants.

Despite being one of the most visited parks in the nation, South Luangwa’s safari routes are far more sedate than those of many other African parks, and you often won’t have to share every lion sighting with a lot of other cars.

The best time to visit South Luangwa to observe lions: The best time to go lion hunting in South Luangwa is from July to October, which is the middle and end of the dry season.