Tree climbing lions in queen Elizabeth national park
Tree climbing lions queen in Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is the oldest national park in that it was gazzetted in 1952 and is also the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park. The park covers a total land area of 1978 square kilometers and the most visited national park due to its abundant biodiversity. Queen Elizabeth national park is located in southwestern region between Lake George and Lake Edward within the rift valley in Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri and Kamwenge districts. The national park is a home of wildlife including 95 animals species such as the big four mammals which are elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes, other animals in the park include warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, hippos, crocodiles, Uganda kobs, side striped jackal, 10 primate species like chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, over 612 bird species such as African jacana, pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, squaco heron, long tailed cormorants, wattled plover, white backed pelican, open billed stork, spur winged plover among others.
Queen Elizabeth national park is divided into several sectors which act as habitats for wildlife for example Kyambura Gorge which is located in the eastern part of the park and is a habitat of primate species such as the chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, bird species among others, Marammagambo forest which is located in the southern part harboring primate species, birds, animals, Ishasha sector which is located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and harbors the famous tree climbing lions.
Tree climbing lions
The tree climbing lions are unique and amazing animals that exist in few African countries namely Uganda at the ishasha sector , Tanzania in tarangire national park and lake manyara national park they are unique in such a way that the male lion has black manes. Tree climbing lions in Uganda are found in Ishasha sector queen Elizabeth national park and they can be seen during the game drive in the savannah plains. The tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector will be seen lazily lying up in the acacia and sycamore fig trees especially during the afternoon hours. They will be staring down on the antelopes which will be grazing in the open savannah plains.
Why do these lions climb trees?
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector are viewed lying up in the acacia, fig trees and they climb trees due to different factors and theories such as
- To run away from insect bites such as tsetse flies which breed on the ground especially during the rainy season.
- The lions in Ishasha sector climb trees because the fig and acacia trees provide shelter during the sunny season.
- They also climb trees to have a clear view of the prey or antelopes which will be grazing in the open savannah plains.
- To escape from the heat on the ground especially during the dry season when there is a lot of sunshine.
Best time to see the tree climbing lions
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector can be seen during the game drive which can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to August and December to February. During this time there is less rainfall and a lot of sunshine in the park therefore the lions will climb trees in the afternoon when the grounds are hot therefore during your game drive you will have an opportunity to spot the tree climbing lions lying up in the fig trees. The dry season is the best time to view the climbing lions because access roads to Ishasha sector will be passable compared to the wet/rainy season when the roads will be impassable. During the wet season the lions fear to climb trees because they will be slippery due to heavy rains but it’s a great period for bird watching.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is located in southwestern Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means
Road transport, when using road transport to Queen Elizabeth national park you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal and then to the park which takes about 7 hours’ drive. From the park you will connect to the southern part in Ishasha sector which takes about 2 hours’ drive for a game drive where you will be able to view the tree climbing lions.
You can also access Ishasha sector from Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive to Ishasha sector.
Air transport, Queen Elizabeth national park is can be accessed by air transport means in that there are domestic airlines which operate scheduled and chartered flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya airstrip which takes about one hour and then connect by road to Ishasha sector. You can also book chartered flights to Kihihi airstrip and then connect to Ishasha sector.
Tree climbing lions are the major attractions in Queen Elizabeth national park and visitors who want to view these amazing creatures should come for a safari in the second largest and most visited national park in Uganda. The park also offers other attractions and activities for visitors such as boat cruise on Kazinga Channel where you will be able to view aquatic animals like hippos and other animals along the water banks drinking water, mongoose tracking at Mweya peninsular, lion research tracking in Kasenyi plains where you will be able to spend time and also learn more about the lions, their behaviors, nature walks in Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, Birding in Kasenyi plains, Maramagambo forest, Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, game drive in Kasenyi plains where you will be able to view various animals like elephants, leopards, warthogs, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, Uganda kobs among others. these activities will give you breathtaking experiences on your safari in Uganda therefore if you want to explore, have fun, view unique animal species like the tree climbing lions, Queen Elizabeth national park it the best place to visit.
