Tree climbing lions in Ishasha Sector

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha Sector: Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest and one of the most visited protected areas in Uganda. The national park is located in western part of Uganda in four districts namely Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge and Rukungiri districts. Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and it’s the only destination that harbors the famous tree climbing lions in Uganda. Apart from Queen Elizabeth national park, the tree climbing lions are also found in Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania. Queen Elizabeth national park is also a home of other animals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, topi, leopards, hyenas, giant forest hogs, primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons and over 600 bird species.

Tree climbing lions in ishasha sector can be spotted lying up in acacia/fig tree branches during the game drive with a professional driver guide. Game drive in ishasha sector is best done in the afternoon or in the evening and you will be able to view other animals like buffaloes, elephants, topi, giant forest hogs, hippos, Uganda kobs among others.

Why lions in Ishasha sector climb trees

The tree climbing lions in ishasha sector are believed to climb trees due to various reasons as outlined below.

Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees to run away from the ground biting insects like tsetse flies and mosquitos.

Lions in ishasha sector climb trees to have a clear view of their prey like the Uganda kobs especially when the grass in the park is tall.

Lions in ishasha sector also climb trees to rest, escape from ground heat and have fresh air/breeze especially during the dry season.

Best time to see the tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth national park

Tree climbing lions in ishasha sector can be viewed all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to have clear views of the tree climbing lions and others animals. During the dry season access roads and game drive trucks will be dry and passable which makes game drives easy.

Where to stay in Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth national park

There are a number of accommodation facilities near ishasha sector where you can stay during your Uganda safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Ishasha jungle lodge, Enjojo Lodge, At The River Ishasha Lodge, Topi Lodge, Bull Bush River Camp, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp, Savannah Resort Hotel, Ishasha Pride Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Hub Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Simba Safari Lodge, Kikorongo Safari Lodge among others.

How to get to ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth national park

Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via masaka, Mbarara and then to Ishasha sector or Kampala via Mubende, Fort Portal and then to Ishasha sector which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle.

Ishasha sector can also be accessed by air transport means where tourists will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi, mweya or Kasese airstrips and then connect to ishasha sector by road.

You can as well access ishasha sector from Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive and kibale forest national park which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive.

Activities in Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park offers other activities that can be combined with game drive in ishasha sector including boat cruise on Kazinga channel where you will be able to view large concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in water, bird watching where you will be able to spot variety of bird species, guided nature walk in Maramagambo forest where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, game drives/ lion tracking experience in Kasenyi area, cultural tour where you will interact with the local people among others.

For more information about the tree climbing lions in ishasha sector, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various Uganda safari packages.