Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha
Tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park are a tourist sensation in the park that brings out the uniqueness of this conserved area. A trip to Queen Elizabeth national park is not complete without seeing these spectacular creatures.
Visitors who want to see tree climbing lions in Uganda can only do so in the Ishasha sector located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. The national park is found in the south western region of the country and is one of Africa’s finest protected areas.
Queen Elizabeth National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1952; covering an area of 1,978 km² thus making it one of Uganda’s oldest and biggest national parks.
Most visitors usually wonder if lions actually climb trees! Although it is quite uncommon, some lions do actually climb trees; and what better place to see these mighty tree-climbing creatures if not in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are only a few other countries in the world where tourists can view tree climbing lions and these include; South Africa, Kenya, and Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania.
Visitors can still view lions that can be found in other national parks in Uganda such as; Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks. However, if you want to see tree-climbing lions, the Ishasha sector is the place to be!
The tree climbing lions of Ishasha love climbing candelabrum tress like the sycamore fig and acacia trees. However, in Ishasha, tourists will mostly find them in sycamore-fig trees; taking a nap and refuge from the scorching ground heat.
No one really knows why the lions in Queen’s Ishasha sector love climbing trees, but some speculate that it is for the following reasons;
- The view from up the trees provide a great spot for the lions to view prey they can hunt. Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park has a rich variety of wildlife animals that they lions can hunt, such as; antelopes, Uganda Kob, waterbuck, and topi among others.
- Escape the extreme heat on the ground. Sometimes the temperatures in Queen Elizabeth can be quite high reaching over 28 °C, especially during the dry season in the park.
- Some visitors think that the lions in Ishasha climb trees to flee from insect bites, especially during the rainy season when insects tend to infest the ground.
For whatever reason the lions in Ishasha choose to climb trees, they are a sight to anticipate while on tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are believed to be an estimated number of at least 40 lions in the Ishasha sector, split into three prides. Visitors who which to see tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector will have to make sure that your tour operator or guide knows exactly how and where to locate the lions in this part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Most tour operators do not usually take their visitors to explore this park of the national park, as they are so focused on selling gorilla trekking in Bwindi and simply use the Ishasha sector as a detour to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. However, visitors who get to explore the richness and beauty of the Ishasha sector will agree that this part of Queen Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of the highlights of a visit to the national park.
Tourists visiting the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park are also rewarded with other attractions, aside from the tree climbing lions. These include; the Uganda Kob, antelopes, waterbuck, topi, warthogs, elands, elephants and impala to mention but a few.
In addition to the above attractions, the undulating and pristine landscape of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth is a sight that most tourists visiting this area of the national park will find incredibly dazzling. Visitors can also get to explore the historical crater lakes like Lake Katwe, on which salt mining is carried out; Lake Nyamunyange (known for having migratory flamingoes) and Lake Bunyampaka, where salt mining is also done.
Best Time to Visit the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector.
The tree climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth national park can be seen at any time of the year. However, the best time for visitors to see these tree climbing lions would be during the dry season, which is between June-September. During this period, the grass in the Ishasha sector is short and thus making it easy for tourists to view the wildlife and lions in the area.
Where to stay when visiting tree climbing lions in Ishasha.
In case you are wondering where exactly you can get accommodation while visiting the tree climbing lions in Ishasha, the following accommodation facilities provide excellent lodging for guests visiting the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park; Mweya Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge, Ihamba lakeside safari lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp and Queen Elizabeth bush lodge among others.
How to get to Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Tourists visiting the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park are advised to use 4×4 wheel drive safari vehicles. The Ishasha sector can be accessed via Kihihi, Ishaka and Rukungiri district in western Uganda. Alternatively, visitors can use the Mweya peninsular to access the Ishasha sector, which will take you about 2 hours of driving.
Visitors traveling from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport to see tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector might have to travel the entire day. Ishasha sector can be accessed from Fort Portal which is a 4 hours’ drive; 6 hours’ drive from Lake Mburo national park and 2 hours from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The tree climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park are one of the highlights of any visit to the national park. The experience that they offer to visitors is extraordinarily rare and a good recommendation to any tourist on a Uganda wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Do contact us in case you have any inquiries or wish to book a wildlife safari to Ishasha/ queen Elizabeth national park.
