Ishasha sector lies on the southern tip of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the western Uganda. Popular for its tree-climbing lion prides that habitually lounge up various fig-trees during the heat of the day, Ishasha sector offers an exciting wildlife game viewing expereince. Ishasha sector is well accessed as it lies along a major north-south tourist circuit often explored as a day tour to break off the journey.
Ishasha sector boasts one of the best panoramic landscapes, elevated along a raised plateau covered with a vast savanna and wooded grasslands that support abundant game including Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Topi, Kob, Leopard, Lion and hyena. The sector is bounded on the west by Ishasha river that marks the borderline between Uganda and DRC. Along its eastern edges, the park is separated from the vast Kigezi Wildlife Reserve by the main road that runs from Katunguru in northern Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the south.
Attractions and Activities to do in Ishasha Sector
Game Viewing Drives for Tree-climbing Lions and other Wildlife
One of the top highlights to Ishasha sector is excellent game viewing expereince across these vast savanna plains. One major attraction while on game drives here is the famous tree-climbing lion prides that habitually rest in fig trees during the heat of the day. Whereas all cats do climb naturally, Ishasha lion prides demonstrate a unique inherent characteristic/habit of resting up in trees and watching over plains. Regardless of the root of this behaviour, finding a whole pride lazing up fig trees is a memorial sight to behold across these vast plains.
Ishasha grassland plains do host vast populations of Topi, buffalos and when in season, large migrating elephant buffalos herds. Top carnivores include Leopard and Hyena.
Birdwatching
Ishasha sector is an Important Bird Area due to its location along transition zone between the highlands in the albertine rift and the vast savannas and woodlands in the floor of the rift valley in Queen Elizabeth. Along this convergence zone, the highlands meet the grasslands plains, vast wetlands, lakes and wooded grasslands attracting a diversity of bird species.
Bird highlights include typical grassland specialist, a quality list of water restricted species and generalists that range between lowland forests and woodlands. Ishasha sector lies along the north-south migration corridor attracting vast Palearctic passage the vast wetlands attract seasonal migrants. The vast wetlands of Ishasha hosts wandering Shoebill pairs.
Wilderness Camping
Pitch camp in the untamed wilderness of Ishasha to enjoy the remoteness and serenity of the raw wild. Accompanied by ranger guides, relax by campfire under the starlit Uganda skies and listen to faint calls and roars of local wildlife. Ishasha boasts excellent self catering campsites set along Ishasha river that teem with hippos and crossed by elephant herds.
Where to Stay at Ishasha Sector
Ishasha sector is served by a wide range of accommodation facilities from rustic camps to luxury facilities that retain the wilderness feel. Popular accommodations include Ishasha Wilderness Lodge set along Ntungwe river within the park while others include Enjojo, Pride and Buffalo Lodges that lie about 1 km from park gate.
Getting to Ishasha Sector
By road. Ishasha sector lies only 70 km (2hrs drive on a dirt road) from Katunguru in the north of Queen Elizabeth. The park is about 60 km (1.5hrs) dirt road) from Buhoma of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
By Air: Ishasha sector is serviced by Kihihi airstrip that receive daily flights from Entebbe Airport via Kasese and Kisoro airstrips. Kihihi Airstrip is about 30mins to Ishasha park gates.