Yes, lions climb trees! Here are the 4 top places to see tree-climbing lions in Africa

Wait, can lions climb trees?

Oh, yes. Lions can climb trees and some lions in Africa do so more than others. These unusual lions have made it a habit to climb trees and have thus become known as tree-climbing lions.

As the biggest cat species in Africa, lions are not known for their tree-climbing abilities, but in certain pockets of the African bush, it is possible to see prides of lions that climb trees regularly. They are not a sub-species of mutants, but rather regular lions that have developed the habit of scaling branches and tree trunks. 

If you want to see tree-climbing lions, then add this experience to your wishlist when you get in touch with us. Our team of travel experts at African Budget Safaris is here to help you plan your affordable African safari adventure, as a free service.

African tree climbing lions in Serengeti by Rene Mayorga

Where to see tree-climbing lions in Africa

Tree-climbing lions are most commonly sighted in East Africa, especially Tanzania and Uganda, with rarer sightings further south in sub-Saharan Africa. These are the 4 best places to spot tree-climbing lions in Africa.

1. Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to several prides of lions, but the tree-climbing variety is generally spotted in the Ishasha sector of the park. This area has more suitable trees for climbing and a population of about 130 tree-dwelling wild lions.

Tree climbing lion in Uganda by Noel Reynolds

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda has long been one of the best places to see lions in the trees. It remains an exceptional safari destination for spotting tree-climbing lions in Africa.

• Queen Elizabeth Park Uganda Safaris

2. The Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit - Serengeti, Lake Manyara & Tarangire

In northern Tanzania, there are three places where lions are in the habit of climbing trees. Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. These three top African national parks are located close to each other on the famous Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Serengeti's Tree Climbing Lions

In the past, tree-climbing wasn't very popular with the lions of Serengeti Park. But, these days tree-climbing is a growing trend in Serengeti's lion populations. More and more, lions are seen climbing trees on safaris in Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti tree climbing lions, Africa by Discover Corps

Whether these big cats are taking to the trees to escape the heat or scan the savannahs for prey from above, or for other reasons, is uncertain. One thing is for sure, Serengeti National Park has become one of the very best places to see tree-climbing lions in Africa.

Serengeti lioness in tree, Africa by Jasmine Halki

Lake Manyara Park's Tree Climbing Lions

The Lake Manyara National Park of Tanzania is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. It used to be the place to see tree-climbing lions in Africa and is still a top hotspot today. Lions are still regularly seen in the trees on Lake Manyara safaris. 

Tree climbing lion in Africa, Lake Manyara by Dmitrii Zhodzishskii

Difficult to spot at first, these big cats make climbing a daily habit, generally only coming down to hunt. Hiding among the boughs of acacia trees, the lions are well-camouflaged. Once your eyes become attuned to wildlife spotting, most visitors can spot a lion in a tree. 

Tarangire's Tree Climbing Lions

Tarangire National Park is also home to tree-climbing lions although this unusual behaviour is less commonly seen here. Tarangire safaris do however boast excellent lion sightings.

Can lions climb trees, Tarangire Safari by Christoph Strassler

• Northern Tanzania Safari Tours

3. The Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa

Another place to see wild lions in Africa that climb trees is in South Africa’s Kruger National Park region. Tree-climbing lions have been sighted in both the national park (Kruger National Park) and private game reserves of Greater Kruger Park (notably Sabi Sands Game Reserve).

South African tree-climbing lion in Kruger by Regina Hart

Much less common than sightings in East Africa, sharp-eyed rangers are often the only ones who have the pleasure of seeing these bough-loving cats. The majority of sightings have taken place near the Crocodile Bridge Camp in Kruger Park. So if East Africa is too far away for you, then consider adding a Kruger Safari or a Sabi Sands Safari to your African safari bucket list. 

• Kruger Safari Packages & Sabi Sands Safaris

4. The Okavango Delta in Botswana

The last of the best places to see tree-climbing lions in Africa, is the Okavango Delta region in northern Botswana. Here the lions are increasingly spotted in the boughs of trees. 

It is not a common sight, but you could get lucky and see tree-climbing lions in certain areas of the Okavango Delta such as the Duba Plains and Moremi Game Reserve.

• Okavango Delta Botswana Safaris

Tree-climbing lions in Africa

While lions can climb trees, not all of them do so. Just like humans can climb trees, but choose not to, they have lost the agility they had as children. Similarly, adult lions are not good at climbing. Normally, these felines prefer to sit in the shade, particularly in the heat of the day. Adult males can weigh more than 180kg, so this weight makes it difficult for them to scale branches. 

It’s not so much the ascent as the descent that causes the biggest problems for these big cats. Unsure of whether to go tail or head first, these chunky felines are not well-suited to arboreal heights. Compare a lion’s physique to that of a leopard. With muscular back legs and lean, agile bodies, the anatomy of a leopard is perfectly suited to tree climbing. 

African lions in tree by Chris and Kayla Anderson

Nonetheless, certain populations of lions in Africa have developed this behaviour and if they do climb trees, they tend to favour the lower branches of large acacia or sycamore-fig trees. These trees have wide branches that are strong enough to support their weight and provide good shelter in both sunshine and rain. 

Get top tips for your African lion safari and find out all about these African big cats in Lions in Africa

Why do some wild lions in Africa climb trees?

Why certain populations of lions in Africa climb trees is somewhat of a mystery. There has been little research into the behaviour, but theories suggest that they do it because it is cooler than on the ground. Trees provide a good vantage point for spotting prey and lions can avoid the pesky tsetse flies that harass them on the ground with irritating and painful bites. 

Tree climbing lions in Africa by Chris and Kayla Anderson

Let’s take you to see wild lions in Africa!

While their land-loving fellows are found in many parts of Africa, to see tree-climbing lions in Africa it is best to visit Tanzania or Uganda. Contact the team at African Budget Safaris and ask them to include this rare spectacle in your next African safari.

Tree climbing lion in Tanzania by Frank Vanbetlehem