Tree Climbing Lions in Uganda
Tree climbing lions in Uganda are found none other than in one of the magnificent national park best known as Queen Elizabeth national park in south western Uganda. Queen Elizabeth national park is such a big park but the tree climbing lions are only found with in Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park towards Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Tree climbing lions in Uganda is one of the most common attractions that made Queen Elizabeth national park to become the best destination to visit while on a Uganda safari. Several travelers on a Uganda safari thought that gorilla and chimpanzees are the most common attractions in Uganda until they landed on the king of the jungle (tree climbing lions) lazily sleeping in the acacia and fig tree branches with the legs swinging in the air. The tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector catches every traveler’s attention and no one wants to visit Uganda and exit minus visiting the tree climbing lions in their natural habitats in extreme southern corner in ishasha sector within Queen Elizabeth national park.
Apart from Uganda, tree climbing lions are also traced in the southern part of Tanzania in Lake Manyara National Park though their population is still less than that in Uganda. Making only two locations in the world where the tree climbing lions are easily encountered while on a Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth national park.
The best way to encounter tree climbing lions in Uganda with in Queen Elizabeth national park is by taking a game drive to the southern part of the park in Ishasha sector where a population of tree climbing lions in Uganda are seen sleeping in tree branches of the fig tree and acacia while watching their prey as they target their next meal before the sun goes down. The most common prey is the Uganda kob seen in large herds with in the park
Why do lions climb trees?
There are different reasons as to why this species of lions climb the trees while other lions do not climb though the exact reason has not yet been identified as everybody has a different assumption as below;
- The reasons as to why lions climb the trees still remains a myth as some people think that the tree-climbing lions tend to climb the trees in order to take some undisturbed rest
- While others say that these tree-climbing lions in Uganda are just proud and climb the trees in order to show their pride while overlooking all other mammals in the park as they graze thus termed as the king of the jungle.
- Tree climbing lions in Uganda also climb the tree branches due to hot grounds, especially during the hot afternoons. In fact, it’s rare to find these tree-climbing lions in the trees after rain.
- Others have it that the tree-climbing lions, climb up in the tree branches in order to escape from the tsetse fly bites which common in the park and other insect bites
- Tree climbing lions usually climb the tree in order to have a clear view of the prey to feast on for the next meal and once the prey is spotted, they hijack on it and kill it for enjoyment.
Best time to visit tree climbing lions
The best time to visit tree climbing lions is during the dry months of December to March and June, to September Since these lions prefer climbing during the hot season thus dry months will be the best time possible to visit the tree climbing lions as the park itself is dry and all the roads are easily passable. However, with the climatic conditions in Uganda, even in rainy seasons travelers are free to visit Uganda for ultimate safaris.
How best can one view the tree climbing lions in Uganda?
The best way to view the tree climbing lions in Uganda is by visiting queen Elizabeth national park and opting for a game drive to the southern part of the park in ishasha sector where a good population of tree climbing lions in Uganda is encountered sleeping in the fig trees and acacia tree which are common tree species in the heart of ishasha sector. So grabbing a drive with in ishasha sector won’t disappoint as you personally capture those everlasting memories of the pride of a lion laying lazily in the tree branches especially during the afternoon.
Getting there
Getting to the Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions within Queen Elizabeth national park has two options either by road or by air
By road: There are different roads connecting to the Ishasha sector to view the tree-climbing lions. One may opt for road transport from Kampala City – via Masaka – Mbarara to Bushenyi and then to the park which takes roughly 6-7 hours’ drive
One may also connect from Bwindi impenetrable national park which the shortest journey taking roughly 2-3 hours’ drive to reach ishasha sector the only place to encounter tree climbing lions in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
The best-recommended vehicle is a 4×4 wheel drive which is easy to pass through some muddy, slippery and rough roads within the park without getting stack even during the rainy season.
By air: In case of air transport, there are always domestic flights operated by Aero link from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to mweya and then have a drive to the southern part of the park for the tree climbing lions
Accommodation facilities in the Ishasha sector, home to tree climbing lions in Uganda.
Ishasha sector has got various accommodation facilities that perfectly suit your budget range. These include really budget lodges, mid-range lodges, and luxury lodges all found in southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Having an overnight at one of the lodges in the southern part of the queen , opens the doors to easily view the tree climbing lions as you drive around the accommodation facilities.
Some of these lodges include Ishasha wilderness camp, Enjojo lodge, Topi lodge Ishasha, The Ishasha tree-climbing lions view lodge, Ishasha Jungle lodge among others.
Other wildlife seen during the visit to queen Elizabeth National Park for tree climbing lions in Uganda
Queen Elizabeth national park is blessed with a lot of wildlife species due to its beautiful vegetation cover that provides a good habitat for different species including primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys among others, mammals such as, Hippos, elephants, Topi, Warthogs, Buffaloes, Uganda kob, Oribi, forest hog, hunters such as Hyenas, Lions (not tree climbing lions), serval cats, genal, civet and Leopards that are always seen in the night, over 600 different bird species making it the best birding destination with incredible bird species such as open billed stork, Grey-headed Kingfisher, African Skimmer, African fish eagle, papyrus canary, Squacco heron, Long-tailed Cormorants, Fish eagle, nightjars, Swamp flycatcher, Saddle-billed stork, Malachite, among others. Just opt for different activities such as game drive, boat cruise, and birding adventures in any sector within Queen Elizabeth national park to encounter lots of wildlife in Uganda.
Conclusion
Imagine an entire Uganda safari in the pearl of Africa without encountering the tree-climbing lions. Obviously, something will be lacking in your travel bucket. Queen Elizabeth national park has got you covered as it is the only place to encounter the tree climbing lions in Uganda in their natural habitat in Ishasha sector. Achieve Global Safaris has lots of itineraries that include tree-climbing lions in them so grab one today for the best experience in the wilderness of Uganda amidst tree-climbing lions.
However, you might opt for a tour to Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania to view the similar lions making the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Manyara national park to be the only two destinations to view tree climbing lions in the entire world. These tree-climbing lions in Uganda and Lake Manyara national park are different from the other common lions that are seen roaming in almost every national park in Uganda, the rest of Africa and the entire world.
