WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LIONS IN UGANDA’S NATIONAL PARKS
OVERVIEW:
Lions are one of the big 5 animals categorized together with the elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and the Rhino. Many people refer to lions as the "King of the Jungle" because they are big, strong cats. Lions in Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda are renowned for their unique behavior of climbing trees. These tree climbing lions are a major tourist attraction, offering a unique viewing experience. While they can be found in other national parks like Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth is particularly famous for this behavior.
WHAT CAUSE LIONS TO CLIMB TREES:
According to research, tree climbing is not an evolutionary phenomenon but rather a behavioral adaptation of lions. According to scientific theories, lions developed this peculiar behavior as a means of avoiding the discomfort that tsetse fly bites produce. According to other hypotheses, lions climb trees in order to escape the heat of the lower earth. . When the lions are hunting, it's also helpful to be perched on a tree branch.
KEY FEATURES OF LIONS INCLUDE:
SIZE AND APPEARANCE:
Lions are the second largest cat species, with males usually larger than females. Lions live in groups called prides, which are typically made up of related females, their young ones, and a few adult males. Young lions have rosettes and spots on their sandy coats, but these generally disappear as they mature. A pride of lions is usually made up of related females and their cubs, plus a male or a small group of males who defend their pride. The lionesses rear their cubs together and cubs can suckle from any female with milk.
LIONS ARE BIG EATERS:
They can eat up to 40kgs of meat in single meal around a quarter of their body weight. Their tongues have sharp pointed rasps called papillae which are used to scrape meat off the bones.
LIONS DO MOST OF THEIR HUNTING AT NIGHT as their eyes have adapted to the dark and this gives them a huge advantage over their prey. Interestingly though, lions also hunt during storms, the noise, rain and wind make it harder for the prey to see and hear them, increasing their chances of a successful hunt. When hunting, lionesses have specific roles: some play the role of Centre and others the role of wing- the wings chase the prey towards the Centre.
LIONS ARE THE ONLY CATS WHO ROAR TOGETHER:
Lions are the only cat species where individuals roar together with even young cubs joining in with their mews. The calling sequence usually lasts about 40 seconds.
HABITAT:
Lions are found in grasslands, savannas, and shrub lands in Uganda. Males have prominent manes, which can vary in color and length and are a sign of dominance.
HUNTING:
The main hunters in a pride are lionesses, who frequently cooperate to kill big game like buffalo, zebras, and wildebeest.
VOCALIZATIONS:
Up to five miles distant, lions can be heard roaring loudly and powerfully.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Due to population declines in numerous regions, lions are officially categorized as vulnerable.
OTHER FASCINATING INFORMATION:
The only cats who live in social groupings are lions. For short distances, they may travel up to fifty miles per hour. Lions are capable of leaping up to 36 feet. Without water, they can live for up to four days. Lions sleep for up to 20–21 hours a day, which is a considerable amount of time.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LIONS:
Africa's largest and most formidable carnivore is the African lion Panthera leo. Lions are regarded as the "king of the beasts" in Uganda and are frequently used as representations of bravery, strength, and monarchy. The dominant male or males kick the males out of the group when they are 3–4 years old, and when they are 7–10 years old, they will attempt to take over a pride. Males typically only hold a pride for two to three years before being overthrown by another male or group of males. Females raise a litter of cubs every two years and often remain in the same region as their mothers, occasionally relocating to an adjacent pride when sub adult. Lion cub mortality is the highest, with buffalos or other predators frequently killing entire litters.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park are the homes to the majority of Uganda’s lion population. Tourists traveling to Uganda are most interested in lions, mountain gorillas and other animals. Tourists' willingness to remain longer simply to view lions was one influential factor.
BEST TIMES FOR GAME DRIVES:
The dry season, which often lasts from June to September and December to February, is the ideal time of year to spot lions in Uganda's national parks. Because there is less foliage during these months, it is simpler to see animals moving over the landscape, such as lions. Additionally, as water sources grow more concentrated, animals including lions are drawn to these regions, perhaps making sightings easier and animal behavior more predictable. Since lions are more active in the colder hours, game drives in the early morning and late afternoon are advised. The Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park is well-known for its tree-climbing lions, especially in the afternoon. They frequently scale fig trees to avoid the heat or mosquitoes, which makes for an unusual sighting.
THREATS FACED BY LIONS:
The main threats are retaliatory killing of lions to protect people and livestock and decreasing natural prey populations and habitat. When their natural prey is scarce, lions can cause grave losses to livestock, which can massively reduce the income of local people.
CLIMATE CHANGE:
Climate change is another increasing threat. Extreme weather may cause more droughts or delay the rains, affecting lion’s prey.
Lions are hunters naturally and much as they are the jungle master, winning of their prey is not a guarantee. Some animals like the larger ones-buffaloes and elephants aggressively hit back at them and in the process they may lose their lives. Lion cubs are eaten by the hyenas and other animals. When lions take up longer hunting, their cubs are left without protection and hence a big exposure to other animals.
THE GESTATION PERIOD OF LIONS:
The gestation period of a lion is 105days and most times it gives birth to 3 babies or cubs. They usually give birth to premature babies or cubs whose survival largely depends on how many times the male mounted a female. According to the findings lions can mate for 7 days. A male mounts 80 times a day and it does so every after 15 days. However, the number of times reduce with the days. It mounts 80 times on the first day, 70 times on the second day and keeps reducing until 20 or even 10times on the last day of mating. If a male is strong to be able to mount those times, it gives high chances for the cubs to survive.
LIONS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDA:
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited lion destination among these three national parks. This is primarily due to the tree-climbing lions that are primarily found in Queen Elizabeth National Park's Ishasha area.
Comprehending Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Three major cities in Uganda provide access to Queen Elizabeth National Park: Kasese- if you are traveling from Fort Portal, Rubilizi- if you are traveling from Mbarara, and Kihihi-if you are traveling from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Connecting from Fort Portal is the most popular trail. Prior to visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, most travelers frequently stop by Kibale Forest National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
Best Places to See Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
The Kazinga Channel divides Queen Elizabeth National Park into two main sections. The Ishasha sector, located in the park's southern section, is nearly entirely distinct from the northern section, which consists of Katunguru town, Mweya, and the Kasenyi plains.
Sector of Ishasha
Though it is difficult to spot the lions in the Ishasha area, this is the most well-liked lion-tracking location in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Technical understanding of the lions' whereabouts and the ideal time of day to visit the sector would be necessary. National parks differ from zoos, where animals are kept in cages. In Ishasha, lions roam freely and relocate for a variety of reasons. Although there is currently no public data regarding their mobility in this area, prior experiences suggest that you should visit this sector either extremely early in the morning, just before sunrise, or later in the evening, just before sunset. Seeing them on a day when they are extremely content is challenging, though, because lions have the tendency to sleep for nearly the whole day if they are content. However, lying on trees is also typical on these days. Going to the Ishasha area is an authentic wilderness adventure that will not just go as planned. You should allow adequate time for the game drive and exercise patience.
Plains of Kasenyi
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most suggested location for lion tracking is the Kasenyi plains, despite the fact that the Ishasha sector is the most popular. Although tree-climbing lions are not found in Kasenyi Plains, there is a greater probability of encountering lions there than in any other area of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Similar to any other location in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you have a higher chances of seeing lions very early in the morning as well as later in the evening. It is not very common to see lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park hunting. Most of the people commonly find them after killing their prey. They mainly feed on buffaloes. You are more likely to observe lions extremely early in the morning and later in the evening, just like at any other spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, lions are rarely seen hunting. After killing their prey, the majority of people typically discover them. Their primary food source is buffalo.
Sector Mweya:
One of the locations in Queen Elizabeth National Park that is more visited for its scenery than its animals is the Mweya sector. The Mweya Peninsula, which is home to the Mweya Safari Lodge, is located in the Mweya sector. Occasionally has lions that come from the grasslands of Kasenyi. Lions are most likely found in the Mweya sector if they are not found in the Kasenyi plains. Because it provides boat cruises along the Kazinga waterway, this sector has an advantage over Kasenyi plains. In contrast to the plains of Kasenyi, Mweya provides a boat experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Town of Katunguru:
The primary commercial district of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Katunguru town. You can take a boat tour in this town at any time of day. Additionally, cars are fueled in this town. It serves as the primary refilling location for the majority of the essential items you will require.
Come and enjoy the life of lions and other tourism creatures in Uganda’s National Parks through Beyond Travel Africa.