Ever wondered how a lion looks when it is up on a tree, then wonder no more because Queen Elizabeth National park is the answer to your question and wonder. Tree climbing lions in Uganda can be only be found in Queen Elizabeth national park in the Ishasha sector. As we all know it is very rare for lions to climb trees, the ones found in the queen Elizabeth Park are a rare case as it is hard to find climbing lions anywhere else as evident as it is here. You will be able to see the cubs playing and hanging in the tree branches as well as the older lions.
This is one experience that you are likely never to forget and you will be able to take videos and photos of the lions lazing around in the tree. The lions normally climb the acacia and sycamore fig trees and they climb the trees because the trees provide enough shelter during both the sunny and rainy season. These lions climb the trees when the sun has risen and not before and you should also know that the male lions in Queen Elizabeth national park have unique black manes.
The tree climbing lions are uniquely built and as they laze around the trees and you will be able to enjoy watching these big cats as you drive through the Park. The lions can be seen sitting in the trees while digesting their food and also spotting the little animals that move around the park while plotting for their next hunt.
Why do the lions climb trees?
The lions can be seen sleeping in the trees and there are reasons that people have given as to why these lions climb trees and these have been listed below:
The lions climb the trees because the view is good for spotting the various preys that can be seen loitering around the Park. These big cats can easily pounce on their food specially the antelopes without easily being noticed.
They climb trees to escape the heat from the ground and get shelter from the rain. The temperature can actually go up to 28 degrees which is not conducive to the cats hence the climbing of the trees.
The trees provide a good resting place for the cats after a long day of hunting due to the wide branches they have that can accommodate them.
The trees also protect the lions from insect bites especially tsetse flies that attack the animals especially during the wet season.
Why Queen Elizabeth is the best or ideal place for the climbing lions
There are various lions in the different parks that are found in Uganda but not all of them can climb trees. The lions that climb trees are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and I have written down why Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best or ideal place for the climbing lions.
The park has a vast land which allows the animals to move around the park easily giving them the freedom. It also has other animals which act as food to the lions like the Kobs, cranes, the cows from the neighboring village, the availability of the Acacia and sycamore trees also makes the park the best place for them to stay. All these conditions make it a conducive place for the lions to live.
The dangers that the tree climbing lions face in Ishasha
These lions are threatened by the constant and fast growing human population around the park for example in 2018 around the month of April, some lions were found dead and their cactus had insecticide poison in them which is believed to have come from the human population.
They are also faced with a problem of natural death which reduces their number drastically.
The fight between the dominant males over the leader of the pride also leads to the loss of some lions in the park.
Accommodation at Ishasha
There are various accommodation facilities in Ishasha that can fit in everyone’s budget so you should not be worried about where you will stay when you visit the place to see the tree climbing lions.
Enjojo lodge
This is located at the southern border of the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Ishasha. it offers a wide range of activities like birding, viewing of the tree climbing lions and other animals like the baboons, Talons, Colobus monkeys, antelopes, buffaloes and many more other animals. It is surrounded by lush green vegetation making it a good place for relaxing after a long day in the Park.
They have three thatched cottages which are inter linked, a safari house which offers privacy to the tourists and these can house up to 16 guests. There is also a bar and you can get to enjoy the local cuisines that are prepared by the locals and the entertainment from the women and children who live just at the boundaries of the Park.
You will also be able to get yourself souvenirs that are sold by the local people and enjoy bicycle rides with qualified tour guides.
Ishasha Jungle lodge
Ishasha jungle lodge is located in a cool environment in Ishasha near the southern gate and it gives one the best view of the tree climbing lions in the area due to its vicinity with the lions. It gives off a good and clear view of the natural surroundings and other various animals that are located in the area. The monkeys and baboons are courageous in that you can see them lounging on your poach at any time of the day. The rooms are very neat and self contained and you can also enjoy an English breakfast and other types of food prepared at the lodge.
The Ishasha tree climbing lions view lodge
The lodge has a very good view of the lions as they laze up on the trees in the Park hence its name. It has luxurious rooms which are self contained and offer comfort to the visitors, free WIFI, and also offers free entertainment to the people especially in the evenings to the locals. They offer biking, hiking and guided village walks to the tourists and also give guided game drives where tourists get a closer look at the lions.
Ishasha wilderness camp
This is located in the southern part of the park near the River Ntungwe and it offers good quality accommodation to the tourists. It The camp offers tourists with different activities that can be carried out like campfire cooking, viewing of the animals due to its strategic location like the buffaloes who come to graze along the River banks, the elephants which come to cool off the heat from the River and the famous climbing lions can also be spotted from the camp.
Topi lodge Ishasha
Topi lodge located in the heart of Ishasha offers exquisite accommodation to the tourists. You can relax at the verandah while enjoying a drink as you watch the different animals pass around the lodge. The environment surrounding the area is relaxing and the local food that is served at the lodge is also to die for. The rooms are all decorated with different art pieces and it also offers game drives through the park for its visitors and it is located just a few meters away from the southern gate into the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The tree climbing lions are extremely rare and in order for someone to see them they have to go to the Queen Elizabeth National park to see them. As you head to the Bwindi Impenetrable Park, you will be able to view these climbing lions resting in sycamore and Acacia trees. Most people do not stop but view them in passing but it’s advisable to make a stop at Ishasha to get a glimpse at these big cats up in the trees.
Besides viewing the tree climbing lions, you will also be able to see various animals like elephants, antelopes, buffaloes and many more other small animals that the pride of lions always feeds on.
Even though some people think one day is enough to see the tree climbing lions and get to know their various characters, it is still hard to do all this in just a few hours. One needs to spend more than just a few hours to enjoy this glamorous view of the big cats enjoying the sun up in the trees. Getting to Ishasha is not very hard as you will have various tour companies that will take you on this journey with trained tour guides to explain everything. You can also enjoy Gorilla trekking in the neighboring Bwindi. And do not forget that Ishasha is one place that you would not want to miss when you take your safari to Africa due to the sightings of the tree climbing lions that are located in this remote area in Uganda.
