The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda is Africa's other tree-climbing lion destination, where fig-tree prides rest on horizontal branches above the Ishasha River in open savanna unlike anywhere else on the continent except Lake Manyara. Jeep safaris from Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, and park gates thread through acacia woodland where lions climb sycamore figs to escape tsetse flies and survey the Rift Valley floor. June through September and December through February deliver the strongest commercial sighting rates on gorilla-safari extensions from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda is Africa's other tree-climbing lion destination, where fig-tree prides rest on horizontal branches above the Ishasha River in open savanna unlike anywhere else on the continent except Lake Manyara. Jeep safaris from Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, and park gates thread through acacia woodland where lions climb sycamore figs to escape tsetse flies and survey the Rift Valley floor. June through September and December through February deliver the strongest commercial sighting rates on gorilla-safari extensions from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Up to 80% sighting chance in Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda). Best months: July, August, June.
July and August reach up to 80% sighting probability on game drives, with June and September strong at 75% and December through February reliable at 72% during the two dry season windows.
Ishasha lies about two hours south of Queen Elizabeth's Mweya sector by road, or one hour from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on gorilla-safari combination itineraries through southwestern Uganda.
Ishasha lions climb sycamore figs to escape ground-level tsetse flies and gain vantage points over the savanna. Tree-climbing behaviour is habitual in this sector and rare across most of Africa.
Yes. Ishasha sits on the standard Bwindi gorilla extension route, with most operators offering one to two night lion safaris between gorilla permits and Kibale chimpanzee trekking.
Half-day park game drives run 30 to 60 USD per person (2026 prices), with lodge packages from 150 to 400 USD per person per night including drives, meals, and Uganda Wildlife Authority fees.
