Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha: Have a rare sighting of the tree climbing lions in Uganda.
Located off the beaten track in the Ishasha Sector, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The sector is a hidden gem often bypassed by many traveling down to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the magnificent mountain gorillas.
Just a short drive (approximately 3 hours from Bwindi), and an easy add on to any gorilla trekking experience is Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Location of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda (after Murchison Falls National Park), located on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley, and taking up and area of 1,978 km2. The park offers vast scenes and incredible volcanoes features such as cones and crater lakes. Salt mining can be done in some of the crater lakes. Furthermore, you can experience a whole array of safari experiences, from game drives and boat safaris to chimpanzee trekking.
More than just dramatic scenery, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is one of the best locations in Uganda to see large herds of buffalo and Ugandan Kob, and of course the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha.
Located in the remote regions of Ishasha, in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southernmost park, these unique lions have made their home. Seeing these magnificent lions ascending up the trees is a brilliant addition to any Uganda Safari itinerary. This rare activity is only found in only one other park in East Africa, Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
Seeing lions climbing trees in Ishasha Sector means that you won’t head out scanning the grasslands. Your eyes will be drawn to the large Sycamore Fig Trees that dot the landscapes.
This is the only area that when your guide shouts “Look lions!” your eyes will go up.
Why do Ishasha Lions Climb the trees?
No one is particularly sure why these lions have taken to the trees. However, the Sycamore figs do provide excellent shelter during the rains. The local people say it is part of the lions’ culture whilst others say they prefer the cool breeze up in the branches and being away from the biting insects (pests) on the ground.
Also, it is highly likely you will see these unique lions lounging in the trees with the cubs jumping and playing in the branches above. You will enjoy this amazing sight.
Additionally, others allude to the large amounts of Tsetse flies. These flies roam on the ground level and continuously bite the lions. Thus as a way of protecting themselves, the lions climb the trees, where the number of flies dramatically decrease.
Other animals in the region, such as leopards, buffaloes and antelopes also climb trees.
Best Places to stay for Tree Climbing Lions
You are likely to see few vehicles in this area and with only a handful of accommodation options. Often times, it feels like you have the park literally to yourself. Below are our favorite places to stay to spot the tree climbing lions on your Uganda Safari Holiday.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
The Ishasha Wilderness Camp seats on the banks of Ntungwe River. It is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness of the African bush. This exclusive camp offers superb quality accommodation with well-appointed luxury tents and excellent service. Enjoy the sheer wilderness in this unspoiled and remote sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Being within the park means the wildlife is free to pass through the camp. You can relax and watch elephants bathing in the river. The resident troops of black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and more frequent the area. Because of this, they are easily viewed swinging above the camp.
Enjojo Lodge
This lovely lodge seats on 40 acres of acacia wilderness on the border of Queen Elizabeth Ishasha Sector. This location enjoys unfenced boundaries allowing animals to roam freely in and around the lodge. Guests staying here can expect to see elephants and antelopes on the grounds.
The lodge is entirely constructed by local builders using locally sourced materials which blends in with the environment. Importantly, most of the beautiful furniture and decoration have been hand-crafted by the local community.
The thatched cottages allow for a comfortable base as you explore the Ishasha Sector. There is an abundance of birdlife on the land . While here, you can head out on a guided nature walk around the reserve.
