The Tree Climbing Lions in Uganda are found in Queen Elizabeth national park. On a lucky day, they can be spotted nesting on the low branches of the fig trees and the cactus trees in the Ishasha sector of the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is found in the south western Uganda has key 2 tourism hub sectors which include the northern sector that is; Mweya peninsular which hosts the visitor information centre and hosts the famous boat cruise that takes place on Kazinga channel, and then Kasenyi plains suitable for game drives being the mating grounds of Uganda cobs which attracts pride of lions.
The second hub is the Ishasha sector found in the southern part of the park which is about 50km away from Mweya peninsular. Ishasha sector is also about 30km from Buhoma sector one of the famous sectors that host mountain gorillas and also hosts headquarters in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Accessing Ishasha sector;
Ishasha sector can be reached using the marram road starting from Katunguru near park headquarters on Mbarara-Kasese Highway most especially if you are connecting from the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. You can also access it by air using local flights arranged from kajansi or Entebbe landing at Kihihi airstrip.
Ishasha sector will be accessed through Katoke gate managed by UWA.This is where you will make the payment for park entrance fees, assigned a guide if you need one and recorded officially. However, if your entrance permits from the northern sector is still valid, you do not need to pay again. Ishasha sector is in the border between Uganda and DR Congo.
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector;
Ishasha plains is well known to host the tree climbing lions which is a key tourist attraction with about 5 prides of lions resident in Ishasha sector. You will embark on a game drive where you will have an opportunity to view these tree climbing lions lazily resting in fig trees.
Why do these lions climb trees;
These tree climbing lions hide in fig trees to get a good view to spot the various preys that loiter around the park. These tree climbing lions pounce easily on their prey without easily being noticed. Tree climbing lions also hide in fig trees to get shelter from the heat and the rain. Largely, lions are not good climbers because they are large cats and their climbing is limited to lower branches. Because of their size, it’s much harder to climb because of gravity. Largely, big cats prefer to lie on the ground. Tree climbing lions can only be found in Ishasha sector in Uganda and in Lake Manyara in Tanzania.
Best way to see tree climbing lions; You will take a game drive along Ishasha plains to see these tree climbing lions. The best time to see them is between 10;00am -3;00 pm.
Other mammals available in Ishasha Sector.
Ishasha sector also hosts other mammal species that can be sighted during the gam e drive in the search for tree climbing lions. Some of these mammals include elephants, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, topis and other antelopes like water back, bush back, Uganda cob among others. The game drive can be done on transit to Bwindi impenetrable national park for gorilla trekking or you can choose to spend a full day in Ishasha and do both morning and evening game drive and have a night in Ishasha.
How to include tree climbing lions in a safari;
You can combine it with a safari of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Buhoma sector. It can also be added on a road trip starting from Kampala, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth then to Ishasha sector and then to Buhoma
Accommodation in Ishasha
- Ishasha wilderness camp. Managed by Wild Frontiers, and located along R. Ntugwe where wildlife normally come to bath
- UWA owned accommodation inform of bandas near the visitor information centre in Ishasha.
- Camp site along Ntungwe river managed by UWA.You will come with your camping gears and enjoy the camping experience.
- Ishasha jungle lodge
