Tree climbing lions in Uganda
Tree climbing lions in Uganda can be seen in the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. This behavior of the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector is unusual for lions, as they are not commonly seen climbing trees but rather roaming around the savannah plains or resting under tree shades around the national parks.
Many tourists in Uganda visit the Ishasha sector for an opportunity to see the tree climbing lions during a safari around Queen Elizabeth national park. However many other wildlife species can be seen around the national park.
Some of the reasons for the tree climbing behavior among the lions include escaping the insect bites, to observe the prey from the tree branches, to cool off from the heat during day time in Queen Elizabeth national park among other reasons.
The tree climbing lions are often spotted resting on large branches of fig trees or acacia trees, providing a remarkable sight for visitors during their safaris in Queen Elizabeth national park. Another location where tree climbing lions can be seen is Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania.
Queen Elizabeth national park is known for its diverse nature which acts as habitat for the different animals at the destination. The park consists of savannah plains, woodlands, forests which can be explored during safaris.
Activities to do around Ishasha sector
When searching for the tree climbing lions around Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park, tourists can take part in activities which include the following;
- Game drives:
The Ishasha sector is home to various wildlife species apart from tree climbing lions and they include elephants, buffalos, different antelope species like waterbucks, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, impalas, topi, hartebeests among others.
Game drives in Ishasha sector are among the popular activities done in this sector, as tourists get to observe these different animals in their natural habitat in the comfort of their vehicles. The activity takes place in the morning and can also be done during the afternoon hours during safaris in Uganda.
Other parts of Queen Elizabeth national park where game drives are done include the Kasenyi plains in the northern part of the park and also around the Mweya peninsular which is located on the northern banks of the Kazinga channel. Wildlife species around the peninsular are known to gather around the water species making them easy to see during safaris.
During game drives around the Ishasha sector, tourists can see the lions as they rest among the tree branches. Tourists can also enjoy views of the Rwenzori mountains during game drives around the destination in search for the different wildlife species.
- Bird watching
Ishasha sector is another birding spot found in Queen Elizabeth national park. During birding around the area, tourists can see various bird species including savannah bird species.
Some of the bird species found in the Ishasha sector include Palmnut Vultures, Hooded Vultures, African White-backed Vultures, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vultures, Wood pecker, Grey backed fiscal, White Headed Barbet, Long tailed Night jar, Black Headed Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, Vultures among others.
- Bush breakfasts
Tourists can also enjoy bush breakfasts overlooking the savannah plains during their tours around Ishasha sector. This experience can be arranged by the lodge where the tourists spend the nights when visiting Queen Elizabeth national park.
The lodges around Ishasha include Ishasha wilderness camp, Enganzi game lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Engiri lodge and many other lodges ranging from budget, midrange to luxury lodges.
- Community tours
Community tours can also be done during safaris in Ishasha sector when visiting Queen Elizabeth national park. This activity involves interacting with the locals such as the Bakiga, the Bakonzo and getting to know about their culture and way of life and also learning different traditions and customs.
Visiting the fishing villages is another community tour experience that can be done when visiting the Ishasha sector during tours in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Other attractions to see in Queen Elizabeth national park
Apart from visiting the Ishasha sector, tourists can also explore other parts of Queen Elizabeth national park including Kasenyi area which is commonly known for game viewing experiences, the Kazinga channel for boat safaris, Mweya peninsular for game drives and encounters with many elephants and other wildlife species.
Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking experiences, nature walks and hikes, Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee and other primate encounters, Maramagambo forest, the Katwe area for salt mining experiences among other locations.
The Kasenyi area is located in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and is home to a large population of Ugandan kobs, as well as lions, elephants, buffalos and various bird species. Attractions in the national park are in different parts of the destination which can be explored during safaris throughout the year.
Best time to visit Ishasha sector
Visiting the Ishasha sector can be done at anytime of the year, however, the best time to see wildlife species including the tree climbing lions is during the dry season around January, February June, July, August, September and December.
The dry season is a good time for safaris in Ishasha sector due to the little or no rainfall received making it easy to drive around Queen Elizabeth national park in search for the wildlife species. Vegetation is also shorter during this time of the year making it ideal for spotting wildlife species on safari.
How to access Ishasha sector
The Ishasha sector can be accessed by road transport and air transport during safaris to Queen Elizabeth national park. The park can be accessed by road using the Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese route or the Kampala-Fort Portal-Kasese route.
Flights to Queen Elizabeth national park can be booked for tours to Ishasha sector. These flights are offered by domestic airlines in Uganda like Aerolink and can be got from Entebbe international airport to Mweya airstrip or Kasese airstrip.
From the Ishasha sector, tourists can also drive to Bwindi national park which is the home to gorillas in Uganda.
