In the remote southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Ishasha sector, a hidden gem often ignored by visitors to this Park as well as visitors connecting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment. This region is only about 3 hours’ drive from the magnificent Bwindi hence a perfect add-on to your Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari (for Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Parks).

Sprawling for 1978 square kilometers in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest National Park in the country (after the popular Murchison falls National Park in north-western Uganda) and sits on the western arm of the Great Rift Valley hence its dramatic landscape. This spectacular Park offers outstanding landscapes marked by volcanic features such as Cones as well as Crater Lakes (Nyamunuka, Katwe, Bunyampaka and many others). Additionally, visitors to this Park are introduced to a wide range of safari activities that include chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat cruises, experiential tours and hot air balloon trips. Beyond the jaw-dropping landscape and wildlife species that can be seen in other Parks of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers something extraordinary-tree climbing lions within Ishasha sector.

The exceptional tree climbing lions are found in the remotest area of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Ishasha sector. It is very uncommon for lions to climb trees and even spend hours except in two places, the second being Lake Manyara National Park in southern side of Tanzania. It is thrilling and breathtaking to see lions ascending up tree branches and this is a wonderful spice to your Uganda wildlife safari. For lion spotting in Ishasha, your eyes won’t be focused on the sweeping savannah plains but rather the huge sycamore fig trees dotted on the landscape.

Why do Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees?

No one knows why Ishasha lions climb trees although a number of theories have been drafted to explain this extraordinary phenomenal. Have you ever wondered why these Ishasha lions mainly climb trees during daytime? Well, it is claimed that they lounge on tree branches to flee from the scotching heat/sunshine on the ground. Some people therefore say the lions climb sycamore fig trees to find cool breeze up in the branches while others believe that climbing trees is a way of protecting them against the numerous irritating insects especially tsetse flies on the ground. Remember that these are just theories without prove although you can visit the sector to relish views of huge lions relaxing in tree branches, cubs jumping and playing in the branches above while staring down at the many Uganda Kobs, a sight to behold.

Other wildlife species to look-out for in Ishasha sector include Uganda Kobs, leopards, Topis, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, common warthogs, Hippos, African bush elephants, Oribis, spotted hyenas and many others that can be spotted at the banks of Ishasha river during game drives.

Best accommodation facilities to stay for the tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector

Ishasha sector receives fewer visitors compared to the northern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park, hence boasts of fewer accommodation facilities. However, the best places to stay include Ishasha Wilderness Camp, @the River Ishasha Lodge, Topi Lodge Ishasha, Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge and many others.

How to get to the spectacular Ishasha sector, southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Ishasha sector in southern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park can be reached by air and road transport. It is served by Kihihi Airstrip (Kanungu) with flights organized from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. The sector is about 6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala via Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road.