Lion Tracking
Lion Tracking: Observing and studying lion behavior up close is the process of tracking lions. A researcher working for the Uganda Carnivore Project, a division of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s research department, tracks lions equipped with radio collars. They trace the movements of the lions wearing radio collars using the radiation trackers.
Learning more about the ways of the king of the wild in the national park’s natural plains of Kasenyi is part of the experience of lion tracking. One of Uganda’s most intriguing experimental tourism activities is lion tracking.
This is truly encouraging news; on February 11, 2019, a source reported seeing a fresh pride in Hamukungu, the area where the 11 lions that perished from poisoning. There are seven cabs and two lionesses in the pride. This disproves the myth that these lions who climb trees are going extinct.
Fees associated with this lion tracking experiment in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The cost of a lion permit, approved by Uganda’s wildlife administration, is US$50 for visitors from outside the country and UGX 100,000 for East African Community members. The Uganda Carnivores Project, which is in charge of lion protection in Queen Elizabeth National Park, receives $10 USD from this sum. The Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fee is included in this payment.
Since tracking lions is a scientific project, a small group of people are permitted to accompany the researcher as they monitor the lions across the park’s savannah plains. The Uganda Carnivores Project (UCP) provides the researcher.
Access to a natural area is restricted to a small number of participants. This implies that in order to secure a spot on the squad, you must make reservations in advance. Only twice a day, in the late afternoon and early morning, is this activity conducted over the course of two to three days.
Why does the lion tracking require a restricted number of participants?
Lion tracking is a scholarly endeavor, unlike any other game-watching hobby. Thus, only a restricted number of participants are allowed to track lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park in order for the research to go properly or to achieve research goals such as gathering precise data.
Another justification is to prevent overstressing the animals; as lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are unfamiliar with humans, many people may inadvertently cause them stress. The sustainability of the eco system is seriously jeopardized by this.
Additionally, a little number enhances the lion tracking experience for you. You can all get a chance to take sharp photos if there aren’t many people participating in the activity. If they are lucky enough to be allowed, each participant will get the opportunity to glimpse the lion before it is scared off by the cacophonous sounds of the ecstatic tourists.
Not to mention, only a select group of people are permitted to participate in Queen Elizabeth’s lion monitoring program, which enables a thorough comprehension of the lions’ habits and activities as described by the researcher.
In what manner are lions tracked in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Starting the lion tracking exercise at Queen Elizabeth National Park with time awareness is a great idea. In theory, tracking lions in the Mweya Peninsula should begin with rising early, at approximately 8 a.m., in order to track, monitor, and conduct research on these majestic creatures.
Researchers use radiation locators and radio collars to follow lions and determine their hiding places. The information gathered by the research team aids in wildlife conservation and improves our knowledge of wildlife.
Lions travel in prides, which are made up of three to twenty-five members. However, as a result of the tracking effort, there are more lions. To prevent confusion, it is therefore best to retain or write down the number that was seen first.
The male lions differ from the lionesses in appearance due to their black manes. Although lionesses typically lack manes, you shouldn’t underestimate them since occasionally they can be stronger than the males in the pride and will engage in combat to keep the male from killing their cabs.
Observing the various indicators that can aid in locating the lions is a good idea. The hyenas’ howling and other strangely upsetting calls for prey, as well as their nighttime vocalizations (loud roars) are examples.
The bent grass in the plains is something else you should notice. You might find it useful to know which way the lion has moved. If you follow all of these steps, there is a 95% probability that you will be able to view lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s savannah plains.
Lion tracking 1: Lions stroll around the park
Is there a behavioral difference between lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and other lions worldwide?
For many, this is a no-brainer because lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are known to scale trees. How special is this? In Queen Elizabeth National Park’s savannah plains, lions in the Ishasha sector are often seen lounging in the candelabra tree branches of sycamore and acacia trees.
Because these lions are territorial, they mark out areas and must abide by them, or else bad things may happen between two males from separate prides. Two kings cannot control one country, which may be why they are referred to as the king of the jungle.
There are several methods used to create the territories: The male digs its rear foot roughly 20 centimeters into the earth. Such a grave indication that the landowner is hostile to his own land.
To keep his domain from falling into the hands of another pride, the monarch keeps urinating on the tree stems surrounding it.
By stroking their manes through the plants, male lions mark their territory. The male lion’s hair is distinct from the female lion’s hair and has a black mane.
The lions’ marking of territory above demonstrates that they are, in fact, conquerors and rulers. It is also my opinion that the male lions are rude and dislike interruptions.
There is never enough to do while visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can engage in more activities at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Among them are the following:
Monitoring chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge environment. It has a rain forest that the Kyambura River sustains. Here, you may discover the ecology of monkeys and the behavior of habituated chimpanzees while also taking in the gorge’s breathtaking views.
Another fascinating activity you shouldn’t pass up while visiting Kyambura Gorge is birding. Birding International has designated Queen Elizabeth as an Important Birding Area (IBA). There are about 619 bird species in Queen. You can observe and learn about the birds of Eastern and Central Africa thanks to the forest foliage that connects Uganda and the Congo.
Get out of the tour vehicle and stretch your legs while taking in the sights, sounds, and scents of the wild during hiking and nature hikes across the Mweya Peninsular and Maramagambo Forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You can learn about the excellent nature conservation efforts by seeing the customs of the nearby towns. Their lovingly crafted handicrafts, created specifically for you, will also delight you.
Watching the bats at the bat cave beneath Maramagambo forest will also be enjoyable for you.
You may watch the pythons emerge from Nyanzibiri Cultural Cave to bask in the afternoon heat.
You can take a boat ride around the Kazinga Channel to enjoy the refreshing breeze from the cool water.
Additionally, you will be able to witness the buffaloes wallowing in the mud on the channel’s banks and the hippos cooling off in the water. There is a wide range of fauna to be seen here, including birds like the magnificent fish eagle, which perches in the dry tree limbs, waiting to pounce on its prey—fish.
A three-hour activity called “mangoose tracking” will teach you about the habits of these little creatures. This is accomplished on foot along the tracks in the Mweya Peninsula, which face the Kazinga Channel, under the guidance of a guide.
Engaging in all of these activities will make your trip to Uganda—especially to Queen Elizabeth National Park—unforgettable. Since Queen Elizabeth National Park is only a short drive from the Northern Buhoma region, it should really be a must-see for tourists that visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
How accessible Queen Elizabeth National Park is!
If you take an airplane, you can get to Queen Elizabeth National Park in a matter of minutes. There are three aviation runways in the park: Mweya, Ishasha, and Kasese. This makes the area easily accessible. By car, the park is accessible from the North gate via Fort Portal, which is located approximately 410 kilometers away, or from the South via Mbarara, which is approximately 420 km away.
A traditional African safari should involve a drive through the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park, where visitors may engage in trekking, birdwatching, and nature walks. Don’t forget to take part in a scientific lion tracking experience in the Southern Savannah plains of Kasenyi and Ishasha sector.