TREE CLIMBING LIONS IN ISHASHA
In many places around the world, it is really unheard of for lions to climb trees. In fact, only two lion populations throughout the entire universe are known to be those of tree climbing lions who do it as a behavior. Uganda is lucky be one of habitats for these lions; in the Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southern side while the other is in the neighboring Lake Manyara National Park’s southern side in Tanzania. For those visitors whose wish is to see these amazing lions, then journeying on a 5 day Ugandan safari with us is the only way how!
These lions in Ishasha climb on the tree tops as a way of protecting themselves from crawling insects and gnawing tsetse flies that are at the bottom. however, some people believe that they move from branch to branch in order to get warmth and stay away from the heat that is on the ground. In the branches though the winds are cool which might actually be the reason they are motivated to climb, though the real reason as to why these lions are able to climb remains unknown. In the evenings, the lions head to the trees to find rest and refreshment from the cool tree shades after having a sumptuous meal they might have hunted earlier.
A number of our visitors for the biggest part of their safari opt to go to Ishasha mainly because of the undying passion they have to see these tree climbing lions. these are rewarded not only with the lion pride but also with the sight of numerous untamed wildlife species and views that are breathtaking.
the bigger part of the Ishasha sector in the Queen Elizabeth National Park is entirely based on the beguiling populace of these tree climbing lions whose sight is a fascination extraordinarily extreme. this lion population has over the years become a magnet so significant that it draws a huge number of tourists to visit the national park. The lions in Ishasha have many a time been seen lazily laying on the branches of gigantic fig trees as they gaze and await their prey; like the Ugandan Kobs which wander into the open fields of Ishasha in the park.
if there is even a slightest chance that while on your Ugandan tour you happen to be pursued by a lion, then the option of climbing onto tree tops might actually be of no help especially is you are in the Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector since we already know who rules the trees!
GETTING THERE
there are variety of ways you can opt from when planning to go to the Queen Elizabeth National Park and among these are those that choose to use their own rented/private vehicles (4×4 wheels) and equipment. these can take the trip to Ishasha on their own or choose to hire a guide that will take them to see these lions since they know best the terrain and course to take in the different seasons of the year. take for example the Katunguru path which is sometimes hard to go by or even the path to the outlying post of Ishasha which during the rainy season is flooded with mud. the route through Kihihi to Ishaka then to Rukungiri is a more trustworthy route while that from Mweya requires one to seek help in radio messaging to the Ishasha-Katookye stations from the park’s office in Mweya to figure out whether the route of Katunguru is open and can be used.
