Your Guide to Uganda’s Iconic Tree-Climbing Lions
By Joro Expeditions, Uganda Safari Experts

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most diverse safari destinations — home to lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo herds, volcanic craters and the famous Kazinga Channel.

But the park’s crown jewel, and the reason many German-speaking travelers choose this area, is the Ishasha Sector, home to Uganda’s world-famous tree-climbing lions.

Only two places on Earth offer this phenomenon:
Ishasha (Uganda) and Lake Manyara (Tanzania), and travelers frequently say Ishasha feels far quieter, more intimate and more authentic.

So when is the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, and especially Ishasha, to see lions, wildlife and stunning landscapes?

Here is your complete guide.

🦁 Why Ishasha’s Tree-Climbing Lions Are So Special

Unlike other lion populations, the lions in Ishasha frequently climb fig and sycamore trees, especially during:

• hot afternoons

• peak dry seasons

• when avoiding insects on the ground

• when observing prey from elevation

Travelers often describe the experience as “the most unique lion encounter in East Africa.”

No crowds, no rush, just a peaceful savannah where lions rest gracefully on thick branches.

🌞 Best Time to See Tree-Climbing Lions

The dry seasons offer the highest chance of seeing lions in trees:

✔ June – August

✔ December – February

Why?

• vegetation is shorter → lions are easier to spot

• lions climb trees to stay cool

• better road conditions = easier access

• more prey movement → lions more active

Guests often report seeing multiple lions in one tree during these months, especially around mid-morning and late afternoon.

🌿 Visiting Ishasha in the Green Season

March–May and September–November bring refreshing rain and dramatic greenery.

✔ Advantages:

• lush, photogenic landscapes

• very few vehicles, private, quiet safaris

• lower lodge prices

• active predators (especially after rains)

✘ Things to consider:

• lions may spend more time in grass than in trees

• some tracks can be muddy

• thick vegetation can make spotting slightly harder

Still, many photographers prefer the green season for its dramatic light and vivid colors.

🐘 Wildlife Highlights in Queen Elizabeth (Beyond Lions)

While lions are the main attraction, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers some of Uganda’s richest biodiversity.

Kazinga Channel Safari Boat

A must-do for every visitor:

• huge groups of hippos

• elephants drinking at the shoreline

• buffalos, crocodiles, countless birds

• perfect light for photography

Many guests say the Kazinga Channel is “one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Africa.”

Elephants & Buffalos

Often seen in large herds, especially from December to March.

Uganda Kobs

Large antelope herds that attract lions in the Ishasha plains.

Leopards

More common in the Mweya Peninsula and Kyambura region.

Chimp Trekking Option

Kyambura Gorge offers a unique rainforest experience inside the savannah ecosystem.

📸 Best Time for Photography

Top Photography Window:

✔ June–August
✔ December–February
Golden light, clear skies, thin vegetation.

Most Dramatic Landscapes:

✔ April–May (green season)
Mist, rain clouds, vivid grasslands.

🇩🇪 Why German-Speaking Travelers Choose Ishasha

Guests from Germany, Switzerland and Austria consistently highlight:

• the peace and quiet (far fewer safari cars than in Tanzania/Kenya)

• the uniqueness of tree-climbing lions

• the comfortable distances for observation

• excellent value compared to busier parks in East Africa

• beautiful landscapes for photography

• feeling safe and well-guided

Many say that Ishasha feels like “Africa before mass tourism.”

🚐 Plan Your Ishasha Safari With Joro Expeditions

With Joro Expeditions, you explore Ishasha with experienced guides who know exactly where the lions hunt, rest and climb.

What you get with us:

✔ expert lion-tracking
✔ private or small-group game drives
✔ Kazinga Channel boat excursion
✔ handpicked lodges in Ishasha & Mweya
✔ customized itineraries
✔ German-friendly communication and planning support

📩 Ready to visit Uganda’s tree-climbing lions?
Contact Joro Expeditions and let us build the perfect Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) safari for you.