African lion safari options in Kenya

The African lion is fabled to be the king of the Africa jungle. The film lion king has magically shown the lion is truly the king of all animals in Africa and in Kenya. Nothing however compares to seeing the African lion in the wild bush of Kenya Africa. Only in Kenya are the African lions found in so much density and in natural parks in the whole of Africa. There are some main Kenya lion national parks that pull in a lot of visitors that follow the lion to a hunt.

The lions found in these Kenya national parks vary in size and also the family sizes. Other lions have a thick black mane while others do not have any mane at all. Some of the best Africa Kenya lion parks are described below.

1. Masai Mara Game Reserve-Best African Lion Park in Kenya

African lions of the mara are so many that you are much guaranteed of seeing more than 3-4 lion prides or families in a day. The Masai Mara has more than 40 lion families. Masai Mara in Kenya is a continuation of the larger Serengeti national park of Tanzania. The Kenya lion safari in Masai Mara also combines the many other animal found in the park. Masai Mara is well served by luxury African lion safari lodges.

2. African Lions Man Eater in Tsavo -Kenya’s Largest Lion Park

The man eater lions of tsavo were given the name after 2 lions ate their way through 240 railway line workers in a single year in the late 1800’s. Tsavo lions in Kenya are reputed to be the fiercest. Tsavo Kenya lions do not have a mane, which is attributed to biological changes influenced by the heavy bush. The lack of manes makes them better able to pass through the heavy wild bushes. Another explanation of lack of a mane for the tsavo lions is their high levels of testosterone.

The male hormone in tsavo Kenya lions retards the growth of manes and also attributes to their aggressive behavior. Unlike Masai Mara, where the dominant male lion allow other young non-mating lions in the family, the tsavo lions chase away young males and are usually alone with a group of 3-4 females.Thats aggression!!

3. Samburu Kenya Lions-Kenya North African Lion Park

Samburu is located to the north of Kenya in the largely drier areas. The lions here are equally aggressive and they have a tendency if hunting in groups. The Samburu African lion safari is equally interesting as the Masai Mara lion safari. The Samburu lion tour is combined with other parks like the mt. Kenya safari and the Aberdares tree hotel in Kenya tour. There are also many African lion families in this park. Accommodation is provided in the many lion tour Kenya lodges and camps.

4. Shaba African lion park-the small but beautiful African lion park in Kenya

Shaba national park is also located in the north of Kenya and is separated from Samburu Park by the Isiolo Moyale road. There are many lions here as well as beautiful landscape and Kenya luxury lodges

5. Amboseli national park

This Kenyan park is famous for its location below the ice-capped mt. Kilimanjaro and a herd of more than 1000 elephants. The park hosts over 20 lion prides located in the more grassy parts of the park. This park also has hippos and other wildlife. The Kenya lions here are harder to spot but with patience you will obviously see some.

6. Aberdares national park lion safari-Kenya mountain lions park

The Aberdare Mountain is a series of 13,000ft of ranges covered with heavy forest. The park hosts some mountain lions which are very hard to spot. There are two raised lodges with water holes where the lions can be observed at night drinking water and hunting. The two lodges are the tree tops Kenya tree lodge and the ark lodge. Visitors to these Kenya log cabin lodges are restricted and they offer alarms in your rooms to wake you up (on request) when a rare animal come by the water hole.

7. Mt. Kenya national park lions-Kenya mountain lion Park

The Kenya mountain park is such a beautiful location for spotting forest and mountain lions. Te ice-capped Mount Kenya can be spotted in early morning and midday towering above the park. There are various Kenya mountain log cabins and climbers camps in the park including other lodges outside of the park.

8. Lake Nakuru national park lions-Kenya lake park lions and flamingo paradise

Lake Nakuru is largely famous for its large stocks of flamingos that form a pink ribbon around the lake. Lake Nakuru African lions are lesser than 10 families are equally harder to spot. In most cases however and with a good guide and lots of patience, the parks lions can be traced due to the small size of the park. The fun is actually in hunting for the lions in your Kenya lion safari vehicle.

9. Meru National Park-Kenya African lion Wilderness Park

The Meru national park is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas that has remained unspoilt for many years. There are many African lions in the meru national park but these are harder to spot due to the dense brush in most of the areas. The meru Kenya lion tour park however offers the best African jungle experience for those who do not want to be in crowded parks. There are even fewer meru park lodges and camps which makes the experience truly African.

10. Kora National Park-Born Free Lions Park In Kenya

Made famous by the born free documentary of free living lions, the kora national park is set in remote location in the east of Kenya and bordering Meru national park. Lions of this small park can easily be found in the many rock kopjes and hills in the park.

There are many more other African Kenya lion parks located in off the beaten track parks. Some of the other Kenya national parks that host several prides of lions include;

Nairobi national park safari

Nasalot national park

Sibiloi national park in north Kenya safari

Chyulu Hills national park

Bisanadi national park

Marsabit national park

Mt. Elgon National park

Ngai Ndethya National reserve

Marsabit national reserve

Dodori national reserve

Rimoi national reserve

Buffalo springs national reserve

Kitui south game reserve

Kitui north national reserve safari

Tana river primate national reserve safari

Boni national reserve

Rahole national reserve

Your African lion safari adventure

Lions can also be encountered during Kenya walking safari. Make sure you are always in the company of an experienced and if possible armed guide while on such walks. Usually however human beings will not be translated to food by the African lions. This means you are generally safe from lion attacks while on a trekking safari but on condition that you do not come too close.

It is only when you enter a lions sphere of influence (getting too near for its comfort) that instinctively it may attack, more on defense than on need for food. Young African lion males are however exempted from this rule and can attack at will and when the mood suits them. Keep well at bay of excited lions. A simple way to know an attack is eminent is when the lion starts to wag its tail with definite sharp lashes. My advice here is to FLEE while always keeping eye contact and not to create an impression that you are running and scared out of your wits.

Have an eye contact-full Kenya African lion safari.



Thanks to Robert Muhoho for contributing this article to our Safaris blog:

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