The Ishasha sector, in the remote southern reaches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is home to one of only two known tree-climbing lion populations in Africa. Far less visited than the park's northern sector around the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha offers a quieter, more exclusive game-viewing experience for travellers willing to make the extra journey.
Quick facts
- Location: Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, near the DR Congo border
- Best known for: Tree-climbing lions
- Distance from the main Queen Elizabeth circuit: Roughly 1.5–2 hours by road
- Typical visit length: 1–2 nights
What sets Ishasha apart
Lions climbing trees is an unusual behaviour seen reliably in only a handful of places worldwide — Ishasha and Tanzania's Lake Manyara among them. The resident pride favours the area's fig trees, particularly during the hottest hours of the day, though sightings depend on where the pride is resting on any given visit. A guide based locally and familiar with the pride's recent movements meaningfully improves your odds over a guide visiting for the day.
Because Ishasha sits apart from Queen Elizabeth's main circuit, it sees a fraction of the vehicle traffic found around the Kazinga Channel — appealing to travellers who've already done a conventional game drive elsewhere and want a genuinely quieter, more remote stretch of savanna.
Where to stay
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is the principal luxury option in the sector — small, remote, and built specifically around access to the tree-climbing lions and the area's relative seclusion. It suits travellers prioritising exclusivity and an unusual wildlife encounter over proximity to a wider range of activities.
Frequently asked questions
Are tree-climbing lions unique to Ishasha? Tree-climbing lions are extremely rare worldwide. Ishasha, within Queen Elizabeth National Park, is one of only two well-known locations in Africa where this behaviour is reliably observed, alongside Tanzania's Lake Manyara.
How do I get to Ishasha from the rest of Queen Elizabeth National Park? Ishasha sits roughly 1.5–2 hours by road from the park's main northern circuit around the Kazinga Channel, which is why most guests treat it as a distinct overnight stop rather than a same-day excursion.
Is a sighting of the tree-climbing lions guaranteed? No sighting in the wild is ever guaranteed. Lions tend to climb fig trees during the hottest part of the day, and a guide based locally with current knowledge of the pride's movements significantly improves the chances of a sighting.
Ishasha is best combined with the rest of Queen Elizabeth National Park — see our full Queen Elizabeth guide or family and romantic getaway itineraries.
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