Ishasha sector is within the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is considered to be the southern part of the park and is situated at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda and is one of the most popular and visited national parks in Uganda. In the ishasha sector, several rare wildlife species of lions are tagged as tree-climbing lions.
These lions are usually seen during the safaris in tree branches of acacia and fig trees within the savannah grassland. They are similar to the lions that we usually see in the park. Travelers planning to see these tree-climbing lions can visit the Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania
Reasons why lions climb trees.
There are several reasons why lions climb trees in the park and some of these reasons include;
- To avoid insect bites of the several tropical insects like tsetse flies.
- Lions climb trees to avoid the excessive heat on the ground so rest on tree branches and take advantage of the cold breeze.
- To monitor and control its hunting ground as when it climbs the trees, it can easily see the prey
What other wildlife do travelers see during their safaris to the Ishasha sector?
While in the ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lions, there is other wildlife that travelers usually see during their safaris and some of this wildlifeincludes; leopards, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, topis, and many others.
What to do in the Ishasha sector?
While in the Ishasha sector for a safari, there are several activities that travelers can see and some of these include;
Game drive.
This is a primary activity that travelers on their Uganda safaris engage in to see several wildlife in the park. It is done in the gazetted trails of the park with the best viewpoint of the wildlife. Travelers planning to have the best experience in the game drive are supposed to use a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up for the best viewing of the wildlife. The wildlife that is usually seen in this sector includes lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, kobs, waterbucks, and many others.
Birding.
There are over 600 bird species in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. All these bird species are situated around the park’s sectors and some of these species are endemic species. While on a safari to the Ishasha sector, travelers can engage in the activity and have a spot to see several bird species some of these species include; African jacana, giant kingfisher, Lesser flamingos, pink blacked pelican, African skimmer, pied kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, sacred ibis, palm nut vulture, and many others.
Nature walks.
This is sometimes referred to as safari walks that are also done by travelers in this sector. It is done under the guidance of the ranger guide who takes you through the different parts of the park on foot. On this walk travelers usually spot several wildlife species like elephants, buffalos, hippos, kobs, and topis, and on the lucky day, you can spot lions and leopards.
Ideal safaris for travelers to the Ishasha sector.
There are several safaris that travelers to the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and some of these include;
- 3 days Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- 4 days Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- 10 days Uganda safaris
- 10 days Uganda savannah parks safaris.
- 12 days Uganda primate safaris.
What to pack for a safari to the Ishasha sector?
As travelers plan a safari to the Ishasha sector, there are several things that travelers should have to ensure a successful safari in this sector and some of these include;
- Neutral-coloredclothing like green, brown, grey,and many others which do not scare away wildlife.
- Insect repellants to avoid insect bites from tropical insects like tsetse flies, mosquitoes, and many others.
- Binoculars that help in the tracking of the tree-climbing lions which becomes difficult to see with the naked eyes.
- Sunroof glasses and huts to prevent direct sunlight rays.
- Water bottle to keep dehydrated.
- Light clothing since the park experiences a lot of sunlight.
Where to stay during the safari to the Ishasha sector in the Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Travelers on their safaris to the Ishashasector have a variety of accommodation facilities that they can choose to stay in. These facilities are ranked from budget, midrange,and luxury.
These facilities in the park include; Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, Topi Lodge,Ishasha Pride Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, River Ishasha Lodge, Savannah Resort, and many others.
How to get to the Ishasha sector?
The Ishasha sector is accessed by both road and air transport. By road, travelers use the Kampala -Fort portal -Kasese highway to the park which takes about 8 to 9 hours to reach the park.
While using the Kampala -Masaka -Mbarara – Kasese highway travelers take about 8 hours to reach the park. The sector can be accessed by travelers from Rwanda where it takes about 6 to 7 hours to reach the park via the Katuna -Kabale -Kihihi highway through the Bwindi impenetrable national park.
While using air transport, travelers can use the scheduled chartered flights from either Entebbe International Airport or kajjansi airstrips to the several airstrips surrounding the park. The airstrips include the kimchi airstrip, Mweya airstrip, and Kasese airstrip.
As travelers land on these airstrips, they are transported to the park which takes about 2 to 4 hours.
What is the best time to visit the Ishasha sector in the Queen Elizabeth National Park?
The Ishasha sector is open for travelers throughout the year. Dry season is the best time for travelers to visit the park which runs from June to September and December to February.
This time the park is dry and clear for the viewing of the wildlife and travelers have more chances to see the tree-climbing lions in the park.
In the wet season, the sector can be visited by travelers and they are supposed to plan adequately since the roads in this sector are not well constructed.