Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which have become one of the major highlights of any wildlife safari to the Queen Elizabeth national park. The Ishasha sector is situated in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tourists visiting the sector aren’t so many, as most travelers simply drive through Ishasha on their way to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
However, those who get the opportunity to explore the southern part of the national park, will not be disappointed one bit. Visitors that choose to explore the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth, usually end up visiting the Mweya section of the park, given their close proximity to each other. It takes about 2 hours to drive from the Mweya section to Ishasha, south of the national park.
Tourists visiting Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park can find accommodation in the following lodging facilities; Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge and Park View safari lodge among others. It takes a whole day of driving to get to Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park, from Entebbe or Kampala city.
Travelers can easily access the Ishasha sector from Bwindi and Lake Mburo national parks. It is a 2-hour drive from Bwindi to Ishasha and 6 hours from Lake Mburo national park. Tourists can also travel to Ishasha sector through the Mweya peninsular, which is a 2 hours’ drive. Alternatively, tourists can charter domestic flights from Entebbe to Kihihi airfield and then drive to Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth. It will take about 2½ hours to drive from Kihihi to Ishasha.
The Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time for visitors to visit this sector of the park is between June to September, when it is the dry season. It is much easier for tourist to view the wildlife in the area, since the grass in this part of the national park is short during the dry season. The Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, has so much to offer to its guests.
Tourists visiting Ishasha have a lot to see while on a safari, the Ishasha sector is rich with various other species of wildlife. Tourists visiting this part of Queen Elizabeth National Park have the chance to see other wildlife such as; topi, elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, antelopes and impala to mention but a few.
Tourists who want to see tree-climbing lions in Uganda, can only do so in Ishasha, in Queen Elizabeth national park. The tree-climbing lions are a unique attraction in the park and have visitors flocking from all parts of the world to the national park, just to get a glimpse of them. The other unique feature of the lions in Ishasha sector, is that all the male lions have a black mane. Tourists can spot the lions resting up in the branches of sycamore fig and acacia trees. The Ishasha sector is believed to have 3 prides of lions, with an estimated number totaling to at least 40 lions. Other attractions in the Ishasha sector in the park include; a variety of bird species and the landscape of the area.
What to do in the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Game Drives: Visitors in the Ishasha sector can be sure to find a variety of wildlife animals in this area of the national park. Day game drives in this part of the park offer visitors a good chance to see wildlife species like; the Uganda Kob, buffalos, impala, elephants and topi to name but a few.
Day-guided game drives cost USD 30 dollars per person. Lion Tracking Experience: Tracking lions in Ishasha sector is an experience that is not only exciting, but thrilling and educative as well. Tourists who opt to do the lion tracking experiential activity are most definitely sure to see the tree climbing lions of Ishasha. This activity costs USD 50 dollars per person.
Birding in Ishasha: Tourists who love bird watching will find the Ishasha sector a great spot for all their birding activities. Queen Elizabeth National Park is said to be home to over 600 bird species. Some of the species of birds that visitors can get to see while touring Ishasha include; the African Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher and even the rare Shoebill Stock among others.