The tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha area
The tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, situated in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is the second largest national park in Uganda, following Murchison Falls National Park. The Ishasha area is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, typically observed resting on the branches of acacia and fig trees during game drives. The Ishasha sector also hosts various creatures, including buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, waterbucks, topi, huge forest hogs, warthogs, and a diverse array of bird species. In addition to the Ishasha area, the tree-climbing lion can also be observed in Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
The reason lions in the Ishasha area ascend trees
Lions in the Ishasha region ascend trees for several reasons, including obtaining a clear vantage point of prey and the environment, particularly when the grass is long during the rainy season.
Lions in the Ishasha area ascend trees to evade ground-dwelling biting insects, such as tsetse flies.
Lions in the Ishasha area ascend trees to mitigate heat and access cooler air, since the ground temperature rises during the day, particularly in the dry season.
Optimal period for observing the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector can be observed year-round, although the optimal period is during the dry season, specifically in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During this time, reduced rainfall results in sparse vegetation, facilitating unobstructed views of the tree-climbing lions and other wildlife.
During the dry season, access roads to the Ishasha area and game drive paths will be arid and navigable, facilitating game drives in contrast to the wet season when the routes become muddy and treacherous, resulting in cars becoming immobilized.
Directions to the Ishasha sector
The Ishasha sector is situated in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is accessible by road. The journey from Kampala involves driving through Masaka, Mbarara, and Bushenyi, or alternatively via Mubende, Fort Portal, and Kasenyi, taking approximately 7 to 8 hours.
Access to the Ishasha sector is also available from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, requiring an approximate driving time of 3 to 4 hours. From Kigali, Rwanda, you will traverse the Kayuna border and proceed over the Kabale-Ntungamo-Kasese road, which requires around 5 to 6 hours of driving.
The Ishasha sector is accessible via air transport, with options to book a scheduled or charter domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi, Mweya, or Kasese airstrips, followed by a road connection to Ishasha sector, which requires around 2 to 3 hours of driving.
Accommodation options in the Ishasha sector
The Ishasha sector offers a diverse array of accommodation options, including budget, midrange, and luxury facilities for your safari. Notable establishments include Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Topi Lodge, At The River Ishasha Lodge, Ishasha Pride Lodge, Bull Bush River Camp, Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp, Savannah Resort Hotel, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge, and Elephant Hab Lodge, among others.
Additional activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides additional engaging activities for guests to partake in throughout the safari, including
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park often occur on the Kasenyi Plains and Mweya Peninsula, where various species including as lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, Uganda kobs, and warthogs can be observed.
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides nocturnal wildlife drives, allowing exploration of the park at night with spotlight torches and armed ranger rangers.
Cruise aboard a boat in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The boat ride at Queen Elizabeth National Park occurs on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat tour on Kazinga Channel occurs in two sessions: the morning session begins at 9:00 AM, and the afternoon session commences at 2:00 PM. During the boat excursion, you will observe aquatic species such as hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, and warthogs along the coast, in addition to other waterfowl.
Avian observation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park hosts approximately 600 documented bird species, establishing it as one of Uganda’s premier birding locales. Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be conducted during game drives, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, and nature walks in Maramagambo Forest, among other activities. While observing avifauna, one can encounter various species such as cormorants, kingfishers, bee-eaters, fish eagles, martial eagles, handsome francolins, saddle-billed storks, palm-nut vultures, collared pranticoles, swamp flycatchers, broad-billed rollers, African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, papyrus gonoleks, and great blue turacos, among others.
Trekking for chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park occurs at Kyambura Gorge, popularly referred to as the Valley of Apes. The trekking commences early in the morning with a briefing on the norms and regulations to adhere to during the expedition. Following the briefing, you will commence hiking in the jungle, which may last between 2 to 5 hours, contingent upon the location of the chimpanzees, since they frequently relocate in pursuit of food. Upon locating the chimpanzees, you will be permitted to spend one hour in their natural habitat.
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides other engaging activities, such as guided nature walks for on-foot exploration, lion tracking experiences, and cultural tours for interaction with local communities, among others.
For further details regarding the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha area, please contact us or visit our website to reserve an economical safari package to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
