The Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Learn in this post about the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, which are an uncommon sighting in all of Africa.
Many people rush down to Bwindi to visit the gorgeous mountain gorillas, but there is a secret gem located off the usual path in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a simple add-on to any gorilla trekking trip and is only a short drive away (about 3 hours from Bwindi). After Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second-largest national park in Uganda. It occupies an area of 1,978 km2 and is situated on the western border of the Great Rift Valley. The park has expansive vistas as well as amazing volcanic features including cones and crater lakes, where salt is harvested from pans. Additionally, a wide variety of safari experiences are available, including chimp trekking, boat safaris, and wildlife drives. The Queen Elizabeth National Park is not simply known for its magnificent landscape; it is also home to a diverse range of species. It is one of the greatest places in Uganda to witness vast herds of buffalo and Ugandan Kob, as well as the renowned tree climbing lions in Ishasha.
Tree Climbing Lions Of Ishasha Uganda | Queen Elizabeth National Park
These distinctive lions have established a home in the isolated areas of Ishasha, which is the southernmost point of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Any itinerary would benefit from seeing these gorgeous lions climbing the trees. Only one other park in East Africa, Lake Manyara in Tanzania, is home to this unusual behavior. If you see lions climbing trees in Ishasha, you won’t be looking out over the grasslands; instead, you’ll be looking at the massive Sycamore Fig Trees that dot the terrain. Only in this location would your eyes immediately lift in response to your guide’s exclamation, “Look, lions!”
Why do Ishasha’s lions climb the trees?
Nobody really knows why these lions have turned to the trees, but Sycamore Figs do offer good cover during downpours. Others claim that they love the cool breeze up in the trees and being away from the vermin on the ground. The locals claim that it is a part of the lions’ culture. It’s also very likely that you’ll spot these unusual lions relaxing in the trees, where you can enjoy watching the cubs play and jump in the branches above. Others mention the abundance of Tsetse (tzetze) flies as well. These flies go about on the ground and keep biting the lions. As a result, the lions seek refuge in the trees, where there is a marked reduction in fly activity. Leopards, buffalo, and antelopes are just a few of the local species that can scale trees.
Best Places to Stay for Tree Climbing Lions
There aren’t many other cars in this region, and there aren’t many places to stay, so you frequently feel like you have the park to yourself. On this page, we’ve included our top two hotels in Uganda where you may go on a safari in Uganda to see the lions that climb trees.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Uganda Safari – Our Day in Ishasha, Staying at the Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is a beautiful getaway for those who genuinely love the wildness of the African bush. It is located on the banks of the Ntungwe River. In an undeveloped, secluded area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this upscale camp provides great lodging in luxurious tents that are tastefully furnished and complemented by first-rate service. While you unwind and observe elephants bathing in the river and local troops of Black-and-White Colobus and Vervet monkeys hanging above the camp, wildlife is allowed to pass through the camp because it is located within the park.