The tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector
The tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector; Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park. Ishasha sector is famously known for its tree climbing lions which are usually seen lying up in acacia/fig tree branches during the game drive. Ishasha sector also harbors other animals like buffaloes, Uganda kobs, elephants, waterbucks, topi, giant forest hogs, warthogs and variety of bird species. Apart from Ishasha sector the tree climbing lion can also be spotted in Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania.
Why lions in Ishasha sector climb trees
Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees due to various reasons like to have a clear view of the prey and the surrounding as sometimes the grass is tall especially during the rainy season.
Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees climb trees to run away from biting insects from the ground such as tsetse flies.
Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees to cool off and have fresh air from ground heat as the grounds become hot during the day especially in the dry season.
Best time to see the tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector can be spotted anytime of the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this time there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore vegetation will be short or thin which allows you to have clear views of the tree climbing lions and other animals.
During the dry season access roads to Ishasha sector and game drive tracks will be dry and passable which make game drives easy compared to the rainy season when the game drive tracks are muddy and slippery hence making game drives difficult as the vehicles will get stuck.
How to get to Ishasha sector
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, Bushenyi or Kampala, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kasenyi and then to Ishasha sector which takes about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.
You can also access Ishasha sector from Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive. And from Kigali Rwanda where you will pass via Kayuna border and then through Kabale, Ntungamo-Kasese road which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive.
Ishasha sector can as well be accessed by air transport means where you will book a scheduled or charter domestic flight from Entebbe international airport of Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi, Mweya or Kasese airstrips and then connect to Ishasha sector by road which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive.
Where to stay in Ishasha sector
There are various of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury in Ishasha sector where you can stay during your safari including 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, Elephant hab lodge among others.
Other things to do in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Queen Elizabeth national park offers other interesting activities that travelers can engage in during the safari including
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park are commonly done in Kasenyi plains and Mweya peninsular where you will be able to view different animals like lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs among others.
Queen Elizabeth national park also offers night game drives where you will be able to explore the park at night with sport light torches and armed ranger guides.
Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park
Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park is done on Kazinga channel a water channel that joins Lake Edward and Lake George. Boat cruise on Kazinga channel is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at 9:00am and the afternoon session which starts at 2:00pm. During the boat ride, you will be able to view animals like hippos and Nile crocodiles in water, view buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, warthogs along the water shores, view water birds among others.
Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is a home of over 600 recorded bird species which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth national park can be done during the game drive, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, nature walk in Maramagambo forest among others. During bird watching, you will be able to view different bird species like cormorants, kingfishers, bee-eaters, fish eagles, martial eagle, handsome francolin, saddle billed stork, palm nut vulture, collared pranticole, swamp flycatcher, broad-billed roller, African skimmer, pink-backed pelican, papyrus gonolek, great blue turaco among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth national park is done in Kyambura gorge also known as the valley of apes and trekking starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Queen Elizabeth national park offers other interesting activities like guided natural walks where you will be able to explore the park on foot, lion tracking experience, cultural tour where you will be able to 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 to book an affordable safari package to Queen Elizabeth national park.
