Ishasha sector Tree Climbing Lions In Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda Wildlife Safari Tours
Things In Queen Elizabeth National Park": wondering whether Lions Climb Trees? Tree-climbing lions In Queen Elizabeth National Park are a few most fascinating cat species that you need to catch a glimpse of while on safari in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tree-climbing lions can be found in the southern part of the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The habit of lions climbing trees is not often. Queen Elizabeth is the only park in Uganda where tree-climbing lions can be found.
It is somewhat uncommon for lions to climb trees. There are no more than 2 populations in the whole world of such lions that climb trees as one of their day-after-day behaviors. One of these populations is found within the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is found in the southern part of the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The other population is found in Lake Manyara National Park in southern Tanzania.
Why Lions Climb Trees In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Research suggests that tree climbing is a behavioral adaptation, rather than a product of evolution. Scientists hypothesize that the lions have adopted this unusual behavior. It is supposed that this type of lion climbs trees as a way of protecting themselves against the numerous biting tsetse flies on the ground level, whereas other people claim that they climb into the branches to escape from the heat on the ground and enjoy the cool breeze; nonetheless, the reason why they climb up into the tree branches remains unknown.
Also being perched on tree branches serves as a useful vantage point when the lions are hunting.
Visitors on Uganda safaris generally end up visiting the Ishasha region primarily to see the population of the resident Tree Climbing Lions although they are also rewarded with views of other wildlife species.
The Ishasha Sector is today very famous because of its mystifying population of tree-climbing lions that are a very exceptional attraction and one of the major Uganda safari tour highlights for which most guests visit this park.
The Lions are normally seen lazily lying up within the branches of the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs that graze in the open Ishasha plains – and these are the main prey to these lions.
They are commonly seen sleeping on branches in the afternoon as they digest their food after lunch.
The lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
In 2005, the Wildlife Conservation Service launched a lion-monitoring project in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The project found that 20 to 35 lions live within the Ishasha sector. The study revealed that male lions travel freely between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo when leaving their pride. The dominant male excludes male lions from the pride at the age of 3-4 years.
The project also found cases of lions traveling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to lead a pride in Uganda. The project found that the Maramagambo Forest is a crucial migratory route for lions that travel from the central sector of Queens to the Ishasha Sector.
Game viewing in Ishasha Sector In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Although tree-climbing lions are the main attraction in the Ishasha sector, it is also home to other majestic mammals, including Ugandan kobs, buffaloes, elephants, and zebras. The Ishasha sector is an excellent location for game drives as it is a quieter section of the park. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of the wilderness without the distant drone of other safari engines.
Your sweeping view of the plains will not be spoiled by the ant-crawl of vehicles. The absence of traffic means that you can spend more time with the lions. However, the roads are less well maintained than the park's busier sections, so a good 4x4 vehicle and a knowledgeable guide are required and we can arrange all this for your visitation.
Threats Ton Lions Conservations In Queen Elizabeth National Park
The lion population in the Ishasha sector has declined over the last decade. The Wildlife Conservation Service estimates that the number of lions has fallen from 6 lions per 100km² to 4 lions per 100km² in the last 10 years.
Human behavior is a major threat to lions in Ishasha. Conflict between lions and local herdsmen is common. Herdsmen often leave their cattle unattended at night, and lions have been known to attack their livestock.
Some herdsmen retaliate by poisoning the carcasses of their livestock and in 2018, 11 lion carcasses were found in Ishasha. Insecticide poison was found in their bodies.
The Wildlife Conservation Service is working tirelessly to mitigate the human-lion conflict. The WCS has cleared land outside the park, allowing herdsmen to relocate to fertile grazing lands outside the territory of the lions.
Best Time To Tour Tree Climbing In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree-climbing lions can be spotted at any time of the year at Ishasha. But the dry months are the best for you to catch a glimpse at the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The dry months of the year start in June, July, August, September December, January then February. During these months, the ground is less slippery compared to wet months, April, May, October, and November.
Where to stay in the Ishasha sector In Queen Elizabeth National Park
There are many accommodation options available for your overnight stay in the Ishasha area. They include Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Mweya Safari Lodge, Park View Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, and Ihamba Lodge a mention but a few.
Enjonjo Lodge In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is located at the southern border of the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Ishasha. it offers a wide range of activities like birding, viewing the tree climbing lions and other animals like baboons, Talons, Colobus monkeys, antelopes, buffaloes, and many more other animals. It is surrounded by lush green vegetation making it a good place for relaxing after a long day in the Park.
They have three thatched cottages which are interlinked, a safari house that offers privacy to the tourists and these can house up to 16 guests. There is also a bar and you can get to enjoy the local cuisines that are prepared by the locals and the entertainment from the women and children who live just at the boundaries of the Park.
You will also be able to get yourself souvenirs that are sold by the local people and enjoy bicycle rides with qualified tour guides.
Ishasha Jungle In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha Jungle Lodge is located in a cool environment in Ishasha near the southern gate and it gives one the best view of the tree-climbing lions in the area due to its vicinity with the lions. It gives off a good and clear view of the natural surroundings and other various animals that are located in the area. The monkeys and baboons are courageous in that you can see them lounging on your poach at any time of the day. The rooms are very neat and self-contained and you can also enjoy an English breakfast and other types of food prepared at the lodge.
The Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions View Lodge In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
The lodge has a very good view of the lions as they laze up on the trees in the Park hence its name. It has luxurious rooms that are self-contained and offer comfort to visitors, free WIFI, and also offers free entertainment to the people, especially in the evenings to the locals. They offer biking, hiking, and guided village walks to the tourists and also give guided game drives where tourists get a closer look at the lions.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is located in the southern part of the park near the River Ntungwe and it offers good quality accommodation to the tourists. The camp offers tourists different activities that can be carried out like campfire cooking, and viewing of the animals due to its strategic location like the buffaloes that come to graze along the River banks, the elephants that come to cool off the heat from the River and the famous climbing lions can also be spotted from the camp.
Topi Lodge Ishasha In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Topi Lodge located in the heart of Ishasha offers exquisite accommodation to the tourists. You can relax on the verandah while enjoying a drink as you watch the different animals pass around the lodge. The environment surrounding the area is relaxing and the local food that is served at the lodge is also to die for. The rooms are all decorated with different art pieces and it also offers game drives through the park for its visitors it is located just a few meters away from the southern gate into the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The tree-climbing lions are extremely rare and for someone to see them, they have to go to the Queen Elizabeth National Park to see them. As you head to the Bwindi Impenetrable Park, you will be able to view these climbing lions resting in sycamore and Acacia trees. Most people do not stop but view them in passing but it’s advisable to make a stop at Ishasha to get a glimpse at these big cats up in the trees.
Even though some people think one day is enough to see the tree-climbing lions and get to know their various characters, it is still hard to do all this in just a few hours. One needs to spend more than just a few hours to enjoy this glamorous view of the big cats enjoying the sun up in the trees. You can also enjoy Gorilla trekking in the neighboring Bwindi. And do not forget that Ishasha is one place that you would not want to miss when you take your safari to Africa due to the sightings of the tree-climbing lions that are located in this remote area in Uganda.
Access to Ishasha sector In Ishasha In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha sector is found in the southern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park about 5 to 6 hours’ drive away from Kampala's capital city. A 4-wheel drive safari vehicle is ideal for you to navigate smoothly through the remote routes to western Uganda to the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Your journey can start from Entebbe or Kampala through the Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route about 420 kilometers or from Entebbe/Kampala through Mubende-Fort Portal then to Kasese about 410 kilometers. Or take a flight from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi Airfield then land in at Kasese, Mweya, or Ishasha airstrip.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Safari tour of the amazing tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.
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