The king of the jungle, the lion is one of the most sought animals that very many people are interested in watching while out on a wildlife safari. While most of the lions live on the ground in bushes and thickets, there are those that spend most of their time up in the trees. Tree climbing lions are found in two places in East Africa, one being in Lake Manyara National Park located in Northern Tanzania and then the other is the Ishasha sector found in Queen Elizabeth national park. The only difference is the fact that they are rare in Manyara yet chances of seeing them in Ishasha are higher.
It’s not clear why this type can climb the trees while others don’t but it is believed that these lions climb trees to protect themselves from the tsetse flies and other biting insects that you can find on the ground. According to others, they climb up to escape the heat so they prefer to stay up in the cool branches. .
Ishasha area found in Queen Elizabeth National Park- Uganda is the best place to watch these lions because it is not crowded by tourists; there is a huge population of wildlife species, birds and plants therefore you will have the best wildlife adventure there. When you visit Queen Elizabeth NP, you should not skip the Ishasha sector, spend at least two nights so that you have enough time to search for them in the big fig trees where they hide. The park rangers will know where to send your guide.
Ishasha Sector is very popular because of these lions that are exceptionally attractive and are among the must see animals on your Uganda Safari. Often, they are seen lying within the tree branches watching their potential prey like the Uganda Kobs, impalas and other animals as they graze in the nearby bushes.
When you visit the Ishasha, you can spend your night in some of the accommodation facilities so you don’t have to worry about driving to the other side of the park. There are also some camping sites which are very safe, near the Ishasha River which is an opportunity to be near hippos. This kind of setting brings a beautiful wild ambiance more so during evening hours and this is a feeling that every tourist would love to experience. If you’re lucky, you might sight the rare shoebill stork in the swampy areas near Ishasha air strip. Ishasha is really a magical place that should be on every one’s must visit places while planning a Safari in Uganda.
How to get to Ishasha Area
The direction depends on where you will be coming from but once you book such a trip with AA safaris and tours, our well trained tour guide or driver will be with you and drive you to your destination as well as provide you all the information you may need to know about the wildlife, birds and the vegetation you may come across during your journey towards Ishasha, the home of the tree climbing lions.
