Can lions climb trees? Yes, some lions can climb trees. Uganda is one of the only two places in the world where tree-climbing lions are found. The other place is Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
These lions spend their afternoons resting on fig trees in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. So, why do lions climb trees? I will explain this later.
They are one of the best sights to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You should ask your Uganda tour operator to arrange for you to see them.
Do not get scared when you get close to them. Some visitors scream in fear, thinking the lions will jump down and attack them.
Lions are less dangerous between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. You will visit them outside their feeding time, which makes them harmless. These lions mostly eat kobs.
Uganda has never recorded any cases of tree-climbing lions attacking tourists. So, when your guide gets close to the trees where the lions are, feel free to take as many photos as you want.
So, why do lions climb trees?
Some people say the lions climb trees to escape ground insects like tsetse flies. Others say they climb trees to get away from the heat on the ground.
There is no clear reason why these lions climb trees. But since they mostly rest on tree branches in the afternoon, it is possible they are avoiding the hot ground.
You will rarely find them in the trees when the weather is cool.
Ishasha Sector has become very popular because of these lions. As mentioned earlier, they are one of the main attractions in the park.
How to see these tree-climbing lions in Uganda
When visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese, make sure you go through the Ishasha Sector. This area is in the southwestern part of the park.
Please note that the main attraction in this sector is the tree-climbing lions. You will not see as many animals as in the Kasenyi Sector.
Your visit to Ishasha may be short unless you choose to spend a night there. You only need about one hour to see the lions, and there may not be much else to do unless you travel to Mweya or Kasenyi.
What is the guarantee that you will see a lion in a tree?
Nature is not always predictable, and you may not see the tree-climbing lions. These lions can be hard to find on some days.
Some visitors leave without seeing them. Your guide will do their best to help you see the lions, but if they fail, please do not blame them.
For a better chance, you can try the lion tracking experience in Uganda. The last time I checked, it cost about $50 per person.
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