Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest national park located in western part of Uganda in four districts that is Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri. It is unbelievable that lions can actually climb trees, yes they can and the only chance to spot these amazing wild tree climbing cats in Africa is in the Ishasha plains of Queen Elizabeth National park in Western Uganda. Touring the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park to see the tree climbing lions is one of the top activities while on a Uganda Safari.
Tree climbing lions of Ishasha, Lions are the largest cats and yes, the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park form a star attraction not only in queen Elizabeth park itself but even in the whole of Uganda if not the whole of Africa. Every visitor coming to Uganda definitely would find his trip incomplete if he or she fails to spot the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth Game Park.
These amazing tree climbing lions in Uganda are estimated to 45 plus in number. They are uneasy to spot making tourists to think that their presence is just a myth and the only way tourism Is being marketed in the country. However these animals are real and they mostly love climbing acacia and sycamore fig trees where they spend the day on top of the trees. The male lions sport manes that are black which is also very unique but there is a very low chance of seeing the male lions with the manes.
Many people have been wondering why these lions would climb trees, others suggested that its due to cultural beliefs while others think that they actually hide away from insects and other pests that would feast on them. However a clear reason as why these animals climb trees still remains unknown.
Tree climbing lions are not easily spotted during the game drive though if the visitors have a well experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority tour guide, they will be able to spot these mysterious animals on the acacia or a fig tree since they seem to be knowing every tree in Ishasha region. Your driver may not be having enough ideas of how to identify the lions so you might end up missing this greatest adventure.
Animals such as leopards, numerous antelopes, buffalo herds and elephants can be seen during the game drive in Ishasha with great opportunities of taking clear pictures of the plenty Uganda Kobs that spread on the ground as well as birds like compact weaver, black coucal and water birds such as storks and Herons near the Lake Edward marshlands.
Why Do Lions Climb Trees?
The tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector climb the huge fig trees so as to protect themselves from hot heat of the sun during the dry season when there is little rain expected therefore trees give them shelter. The tree climbing lions don’t climb only in the dry season but the fig tree branches acts as resting grounds for the lion after a hunt of the day.
Climbing the acacia and fig tree branches gives the lions a clear sight of viewing the prey animals that are feeding 9n the open savannah grassland of Ishasha sector so that they don’t go a miss when hunting such as the Uganda jobs, the impalas, the zebras among other animals.
Some people believe that the lions in Ishasha climb trees to avoid the heat from the ground cool off and rest in a cool breeze. It’s also believed that the lions in Ishasha sector climb trees to have a clear view of the surrounding in order to spot the prey.
Some people also believe that the lions in Ishasha climb trees as an ingrained cultural preference or behavior learned from the generation before them. Other people believe that the lions in Ishasha climb trees to avoid biting insects and pests such as tsetse flies and mosquitoes which live in the lower grounds.
Best Time to Visit Ishasha for Tree Climbing Lions
Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and its one of the best destination to visit in the park due to the famous tree climbing lions. Ishasha sector can be visited all year round though the best time to see the tree climbing lions is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and tracks in Ishasha will be passable plus vegetation will be thin which makes viewing of tree climbing lions and other wildlife species easy.
Visitors interested in seeing tree-climbing lions in the world will need to spare time, plan, and travel to Uganda to see these tree-climbing lions. It is only in Uganda where you will find tree-climbing lions in the wild just in the Ishasha sector found in the southwestern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.
How to get to Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha sector is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby visitors will drive from Kampala via Mubende-Fort Portal road or Masaka-Mbarara road to Queen Elizabeth national park which takes about 6 to 7 hours drive and then connect to Ishasha sector which takes about 2 hours drive.
Ishasha sector can also be accessed by air transport means where by visitors can book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya airstrip or Kihihi airstrip and then connect to Ishasha sector which takes about 2 hours drive.
Where to stay during your Safari in Ishasha Sector
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Ishasha where visitors can stay during safari including Enjojo lodge, At the River Ishasha, Ishasha Ntungwe River camp, Ishasha Jungle lodge, Savannah resort hotel, Ishasha wilderness camp, Topi lodge among others.
In conclusion the tree climbing lion adventure is one of the number reasons why there are many travelers that visit the Queen Elizabeth national park because these unique lions that climb tree are not easy to find except in queen Elizabeth of Uganda. For more unique wonders book with Primate Safari Experiences Ltd and earn yourself a life time adventure experience in the African jungle.
