Tree climbing lions, these are populations of lions that for some reason spend much of their lazy time up some trees, unlike their counterparts which prefer the ground. The tree climbing lions of Ishasha are one of Uganda’s rare wildlife encounters.
The lion is probably the most feared and respected of all African wild animals. This is because it is a super predator that is capable of hunting most of the savannah wildlife for food. Tree climbing lions are probably one of the least understood of the big cats. They are like all the other lions in every respect, except for tree climbing.
Why do they climb trees?
a) To avoid irritations by insects and bugs on the ground and to escape the Savannah heat by basking on the branches where they can get some fresh breeze.
b) Climbing the trees helps them to keep watch over their prey. Common prey is usually the grazing wildlife such as antelopes, buffaloes and other such ‘lion food’.
What is the best time to spot tree climbing lions?
The best time to spot the tree-climbing lions of Uganda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, when the weather is favourable for safaris. Visitors to the Queen Elizabeth National Park are often treated to the sight of these lions in the fig and acacia trees, making for spectacular photography opportunities.
The tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha section are mostly observed during the late morning and early afternoon when they are most likely to seek refuge from the heat.
Tree-climbing lions are however not exclusive to Uganda, they have also been observed in a few other locations in Africa, like Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park. However, the lions of Ishasha are particularly notable for their frequent and visible tree-climbing activities, making them a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Uganda.
The curiosity about the tree climbing lions is not about what they eat, or how their social structures are organized but why they are different from their fellow lions. They share the same social, physical, dietary and re-population characteristic with all the other lions in the wild.
If you are planning on going on a Ugandan wildlife safari, make sure to have Ishasha lions as part of your tour program. The experience is great and we highly recommend taking the time to enjoy it in person.
