This is an exceptional part in Queen Elizabeth National Park you should not miss while on wildlife tours in Uganda, it is commonly known for the tree climbing Lions sighted resting in the fig tree branches.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the South western part of Uganda and is on the bucket list of the top ten National Parks to visit, it’s recorded with wide scope of Wildlife primates which include over 95 Mammal species like Cape buffaloes, hippopotami, crocodiles, elephants, leopards, lions, and chimpanzees plus over 500 Species of Birds.
These primates are located in different regions of the park which include Ishasha sector, Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo Forest and the Kazinga Channel.
Its un avoidable to leave Queen Elizabeth National Park without visiting the Ishasha sector which is located in the south western part of Queen commonly known for the attractive Tree Climbing Lions. It’s also a good site for bird watching to birders which is suitable either in the morning or evening time.
Mostly in the morning there are just lazily hanging in the tree branches plus nests from a long night sleep and in the evening there are just gathering for long night sleep after their feeding during day.
These Tree Climbing Lions are rarely seen and there are only two populations recorded in Africa with one found in Lake Manyara National Park of Tanzania, the second population found in the mostly known Queen Elizabeth National Park, these primates are named among the African Big Fives which are rated to be the most dangerous to human beings.
These Tree Climbing Lions are mostly brown in color and feed on fresh (Carnivores) with four legs, they usually feed on small animals like Kobs, Impala, Elands, Buffaloes and more, the males of these exceptional lions have black manes.
The reason for the climbing of trees by these Lions is that sometimes there are escaping from heavy sun shine on the ground, biting insects like tsetse flies, their enemies like elephants, leopards and more, they also enjoy lying in the tree branches after feeding and gaze at the ground feeding mammal species like Kobs, Impala, Elands and more.
It is advised to visit the Ishasha sector for tree climbing Lion sighting on a safari jeep for security purposes (Game drive) as some of these lions tend to hide in bush on the ground targeting for what to eat of which it’s very difficult to be attacked when on a jeep than when moving on ground.
After a visit to the Ishasha sector you can proceed to Kyambura gorge for Chimpanzee tracking with high chances of sighting different other primates and Bird species recorded. This Chimpanzee tracking activity in Kyambura gorge costs $50 USD per person.
A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is the best way for sighting different Aquatic species like Hippos, Crocodiles, lizards and Bird species like rare shoebill feeding along the banks of the Channel.
Which makes it a great and memorable Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and un exceptional to leave Queen without visiting the Ishasha sector in the Southern part.
