Where are tree climbing lions mostly found?

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is a famous tourism destination known for harboring the highest number of tree-climbing lions in the whole world. Lions which can climb trees are very rare to find. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of two places to meet them in East Africa.

Where is Ishasha sector situated?

Ishasha sector is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park one of the biggest and most visited national parks in Uganda. The national park is located on the western side of the country in the Kasese district covering 1978 sq. km. Ishasha itself is within south western section of the park. It goes up to the boundaries of Virunga National Park in DR Congo. 

What is the Ishasha sector famous for?

Tree climbing lions are the major attractions in Ishasha sector. It contains savannah woodland vegetation with plants like fig trees, acacia trees, and cactus trees among others. The vegetation is home to different mammals, primates, and birds. One can spot them during different tourism activities organized there.  The acacia trees and huge fig trees are resting places for tree-climbing lions  

Attractions in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree climbing lions.

Tree climbing lions are the major attractions in the Ishasha sector in the southwestern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The highest percentage of tourists that visit the sector are searching for the rare tree-climbing lions in Uganda. But this area is a specialist. These are usually resting in canopies of fig trees leaving tourists amazed.

How can I see tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector?

The lions climb trees during game drives within the sector and well-experienced guides will be ready to inform the tourists as to why these lions can climb trees.

Why do lions climb trees?

To have a clear view of their prey.

Lions also climb to escape from the ground heat.

To catch a cool breeze.

To avoid bites from insects such as mosquitoes. 

Because naturally, cats are climbers.

Birding in Ishasha sector.

Over 600 bird species have so far been recorded in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of these are in Ishasha sector in the southwestern side of the park. Bird watching is another interesting activity to carry out in the area.

Bird watching is a guided activity for safety reasons. Armed ranger guides move with birders in search of different birds using some of the birding trails. The most sought-after bird species within the sector is the elusive shoebill stork in the marshes of Lake Edward.

Bird species in Ishasha sector.

Other bird species include the greater honeyguide, double-toothed barbet, African crake. Long-created eagle, white robin chat, marital eagle, African jacana, long-crested eagle. Black coucal, stripped kingfisher, ross’s turaco, palm nut vulture, green crombec, yellow wagtail and little bee-eater.

Best time to visit Ishasha sector.

June to August and December to February are the best times to visit Ishasha. This is because the vegetation is dry. It also offers clear views of most of the attractions there and the rainfall is little which guarantees all activities. The plenty of sunshine makes the game trails and walking trails dry and easier to move through.

Budget safaris in Queen Elizabeth National park

Travelers who get time in the rainy season can visit the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. They can participate in all the activities carried out there for the park is always open. Tourists ought to come knowing about the plenty of rainfall received and little sunshine.

Vegetation in the area is tall with unclear views of some attractions. The game tracks/walking trails tend to be muddy and slippery which affects movements in some areas. 

How to get to Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park?

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park can be accessible using road transport or air transport. Road transport helps tourists who find it affordable and are okay to travel for long distances. Air transport is for luxury travelers and those who hate travelling for long distances. 

Reaching Ishasha by road

By road transport, tourists start from Entebbe which has the international airport of Uganda. They then drive through Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kasese. Road transport to Queen Elizabeth National Park comes with stopovers along the way. For example the equator at Kayabwe that divided the earth into 2 sectors.

Reaching Ishasha by Air.

Air transport is for those who prefer to save time. Flights can be either from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi airstrip to Mweya airstrip which is in the park. Aero link Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda are some of the airline companies that offer chattered flights. To different national parks including Queen Elizabeth National Park.