Why do Ishahsha Lions climb trees: queen Elizabeth

Many people are often surprised with the behaviour of the tree climbing lions that are within Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s second largest national park and is comprised with unique features that captivate different tourists’ attention. And one of the those that draws hundred of thousands of tourists to the park through out the year are the tree climbing lion of Ishasha sector.

There are many reasons why Ishasha lions do climb trees. The tree climbing lions in Ishasha are one of the best unique and captivating phenomenal that are within the wildlife sector of Uganda. It is not normal for lions to climb trees and you can only find them in ishasha and lake manyara national park of Tanzania.

In this article we are going to explore some of the reason behind this fascinating behaviour of tree climbing lions of ishasha sector.

Lions are generally known for their dominance over the African savannah plains and they are among the big five safaris. Lions are known for roaming the savannah highlands and many refer to them as the king of the jungle. They hunt in prides and rest on the grounds in most cases.

However, to many people’s surprises the lions within Ishasha sector have a unique feature of lounging on branches of trees compared to other lions in various parks.

Reasons why do Ishasaha lions climb trees

Defensive mechanism from the insects

This is among the reasons why the Ishasha lions climb tress. Lions tend to climb trees as a reason from scaping from the insects that may be harmful to them. Some of these insects include tsetse flies and biting flies. Ishasha lions usually climb trees to protect them selves from the swarms of flies can be persistent and irritating.

This partly explain why it is easy to sport the tree climbing lions in dry season when these insects are in plenty on the ground of the park

Cooling off in the heat

Ishasha usually tends to experience extremely high temperatures especially during the dry season. Lions are large predators and are composed with thick coats that suffer from heat.

Trees may act as a defensive mechanism   for theses lions in the process of thermoregulation. The tree canopies usually offer cooler and more shaded areas compared to the ground.

Further more the breeze in the trees also helps in regulating and lowering body temperatures of these lions. Lions in Ishasha usually tend to climb trees since trees thy provide shade to the animals thus not being affected by the sun.

Trees like acacia trees in Ishasha sectors, offer a sanctuary to many and calm during the hot and arid environments.

Seeking protection form other predators

Lions in Ishasha sector climb trees as a way of seeking protection from other predators.  Despite the fact that lions are taken to be the kings of the jungle, they also face threats from other animals such as crocodiles, hyenas and even buffalos.

As these lions climb trees, they gain a safe haven from the threats that are at the ground. The habit of climbing trees prevents these lions from danger.

Evolutionary adaptations

This is among the reasons why Ishasha lions climb trees that is to say the habit of climbing trees may be as a result of evolutionary adaptation that came as a result of ecological pressure with in Ishasha sector.

Tree climbing lions are often seen in areas with open grasslands and also scattered trees to giving many chances to lions to climb and access the trees.

WHERE TO SEE TREE CLIMBING LIONS IN EAST AFRICA?

Tree climbing lions are among the rare animals that can be seen while on a wildlife safari though many lions spend their time on the ground, many have been seen spotted on the branches of trees.

The fact that these tree climbing lions are rare, they can be seen in a few places in Africa and they include.

Ishasha sector (Queen Elizabeth national park)

Situated in the western parts of Uganda lies the medley of wonders (Queen Elizabeth National Park).

The park is Uganda second largest national park and is a home to the tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. This is the most popular and famous place for viewing the tree climbing lions on an African vacation safari.

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha can be seen while on a game drive and thy usually lie on the acacia and fig trees. Different tourists visit the pearl of Africa mainly to have a sight at the tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector.

Lake Manyara national park

This is one of the few places in Africa that are homes to the tree climbing lions. The amazing wonderful national park is located in the northern parts of Tanzania very closer to the great rift valley. Lake Manyara national park is composed of rich biodiversity such as wildlife and different bird species.

Tree climbing lions can be spotted with in this park during game drives. Lions tend to climb the acacia trees within the park. A sight at the tree climbing lions is indeed a great adventure while on a safari in Africa.

Other wildlife to see within Ishasha sector

Though tree climbing lions are knowns as the most famous attractions to see with in Ishasha sector, there is other wildlife that can be seen in Ishasha such as

Animals

Ishasha sector is home to various animal species including the elephants, buffalos, antelopes, hyenas, leopards and many more.

Birds

Ishasha sector is among the best birding destinations in Uganda with over 600 bird species including the endemics and also migratory species thus making it a paradise for bird watchers.

Some of the birds to see with in this sector include African fish eagle, Grey crowned cranes, African jacana, yellow billed kite, Martial eagle, papyrus gonolek, little bea eater, Lesser kestrel and many others.

BEST TIME TO SEE TREE CLIMBING LIONS IN EAST AFRICA

Visting tree climbing lions in an all-year-round activity meaning that they can be visited at any time of the year, however they have got the best time of viewing them.

The most ideal time for visiting the tree climbing lions is generally known as the dry season the dry season that covers June to September.

This is the best time to visit these animals since they tend to climb trees in order to cool their temperatures thus easy viewing them. Adding that during the dry season the vegetations are too clear and the roads are not slippery thus carrying out game drives with great ease.

On the other hand, tree climbing lions can still be visited during the wet season.  The wet season covers March to May.

This season also offers unique experiences though you need to mind about the conditions including slippery roads.

However, during the wet season different lodging usually offer discounts on their prices and the park is not over crowded with many tourists thus providing a more peaceful environment.

HOW TO ACCESS ISHASHA SECTOR?

Ishasha sector is with in Queen Elizabth national park which is about 400km from Kampala’s capital city. The place can be accessed either though using air or road transport.

By air.

This is the ideal way of accessing Ishasha especially to tourists looking for faster means of transport. You can board domestic flights from Entebbe airport to Kihihi air strip which is about hours drive to Ishasha sector.

By road.

Queen Elizabth national park is about 400km from Uganda’s ’s capital city which is about 6 to 7 hours. From Kampala you pass via Masaka, Mbarara, then to Kasese.

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