Case study: Uganda
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As far as tourism is concerned, Uganda has a lot to offer. Leave a lone mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Uganda also host the unique species of lions called “The tree climbing Lions”. It’s indeed amazing to look at a tree climbing lion! The tree climbing lions are found in Ishasha sector which connects Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Its a unique treasure to Uganda because the neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo lacks them.
Ishasha sector – call it a game reserve to the Uganda’s second largest national Park Queen Elizabeth. The park is situated in western Uganda near its counter party Mt. Rwenzori National Park, Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Semliki National Park and kibale National Park so, tourist can connect from one park to another.
Ishasha sector hosts over 100 tree climbing lions though lions in this region still experience poaching which cost their lives. A case is the study ; Uganda Wildlife Authority found 11 lions dead from suspected poisoning in Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the southwest of of the country, on April 10- 2018. The dead lions, eight of them cubs and the other three adult lionesses, were part of a pride that also included three males. Its Sad that the country is losing a lot of revenue per year because of the declining number of Lions in Uganda.
When you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, consider tree climbing lion tour- hire ranger guides to take you through a game drive that will land you to the prides of the tree climbing lions. The rangers know the site where tree climbing lions frequently seen and the prominent is Ishasha sector.
You can take experiential tree climbing lion trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha sector- search for them – meet and take memorable photos/ films of the amazing lions. From Ishasha sector, you can proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla trekking safari.
Why do they climb? in this particular article, we need to know why really lions do climb trees?
Clear viewing plat form of their prey – no doubt, tree climbing lions are carnivorous (they feed on fresh) and we need to know that “nature feeds on nature” so, tree climbing lions feeds on other wild animals and birds. The common delicious meal: Antelopes, Young Buffaloes, Young elephants and Zebras among others. For that case, the lions to climb tree to get a wide range view plat form for their prey.
Trees are hunting grounds – it should be noted that some of the prey do climb trees as well. Among them are the squirrels, monkeys and so on. Such prey can only be captured by the tree climbing lions. The specie of lions which do not climb trees just wait on the ground which limits their chance of feeding on the tree climbing prey.
It’s a pride to them (the tree climbing lions) – when you go via Ishasha sector, you will meet these lions swinging in the branches of the fig tree with high level of pride/ life. Some hunt from the ground but feed while on tree beaches. In other words, its a sign of selfishness – the tree climbing lions some times do not want to share with other wild animals thus climbing and feeds from the tree branches.
Trees are hiding places for the tree climbing lions – the lions also hide from strong wild animals like elephants, Leopards and Buffaloes among others. The listed, also do hunt lions in revenge. They also climb to dodge pests like Tsetse flies and mosquitoes which tend to bite them. Its believed that some pests do not reach high in the tree beaches.
In conclusion, the tree climbing Lions tour and Gorilla tracking treks are both unmissable packages to Ugandan visitors. Ask a reputable local guide to let you know how to do it.