Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Queen Elizabeth: Ishasha sector and the tree climbing lions


Kisenyi fishing village and the Ishasha sector of queen Elizabeth
After the central area of Queen Elizabeth, we headed to Ishasha sector, a place know for tis tree-climbing lions. However, we had a brief stop at the fishing village of Kisenyi for a cultural experience. We got here when the fishermen had just delivered their catch to the shores. It was nice interacting with them and seeing the village economic life here. After the village we proceeded to Ishasha sector to look for the famous tree-climbing lions. We stayed at Ishasha Wilderness eco- camp

The tree- climbing lions of Ishasha
The Ishasha Sector is actually today very famously because of its mystifying population of the tree-climbing lions that are a very exceptional attraction and as well one of the major highlights for which most guests visit this park. The Lions are normally seen lazily lying up within the branches of the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs that are graze in the open Ishasha plains and these are actually the main prey to these lions.
It is somewhat uncommon for lions to actually climb trees. There are only a few places in the world where such lions that do actually climb trees as one of their day after day behavior. One of these populations is found within the Ishasha sector, which is found in the south part of the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park within Uganda.  The other population is found in Lake Manyara National Park in the North Western part of Tanzania.

It is supposed that this type of lions climb trees as a way of protecting themselves against the numerous biting tsetse flies on the ground level, whereas other people claim the they actually climb into the branches to escape from the heat on the ground and enjoy the cool breeze; nonetheless the reason why they climb up into the tree branches remains unknown.
Visitors to Queen Elizabeth generally end up visiting the Ishasha region primarily to see the population of the resident Tree Climbing Lions although they are also rewarded with views of other wildlife species.
In case you ever find yourself being chased by a lion, choosing to climb up into the trees as a way to escape from it will actually not help much especially within Queen Elizabeth National Park since these Lions have the ability to climb up into the trees. Actually they are commonly seen sleeping on branches in the afternoon as they digest their food after lunch.


A tree climbing lion at Ishasha sector


The banana trader who had to ride 30kms to deliver the banana in exchange of fish at the village of Kisenyi

This lady was selling hot beverages to the fishermen




This was my favourite shot. The boy here followed the person with the camera here and all he was excited about was to see his reflection on the lens. Not even his picture taken. This is genuine joy.


A lady fish vendor

A boy sort out fish

Tree climbing lion


Elephant trenches at the end of Ishasha Sector

The upper side of Ishasha river

I had to give a hand to one elder who was riding 30kms to Kisenyi to trade banana for fish

Boats on the beach at Kisenyi

Ishasha Eco-camp

Ishasha camp

Ishasha camp

Stopover to buy Uganda Tea



Monday, December 14, 2015

Queen Elizabeth: Kazinga channel experience


After the chimpanzees experience at Kibale forest, we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth national park to continue on our Ugandan safari Experience. Our stay there was great as well as the game drive at Kasenyi Sector, where we were lucky to find lions on a hunt. In the afternoon, we went on a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. This was also another interesting activity, which I recommend if you at visiting queen Elizabeth National park. There is a great birding opportunity as well as seeing larger mammals on the shores of the channel. Before heading to Bwindi, we had a stop over at Ishasha sector for a night at Ishasha wilderness camp (a beautiful eco-camp). In this area we were lucky to see the famous tree climbing lions

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.
As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, music and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystems, which in turn benefits the surrounding communities.
Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a Medley of Wonders!

The area currently occupied by the Queen Elizabeth National Park was previously a grazing area for local Basongora pastoralists. When British explorers Stanley and Lugard toured the area towards the end of last century, both reported the area to have been largely depopulated as a result of cattle raiding (from the Bunyoro and Buganda kingdoms) and epidemics of rinderpest and smallpox. The Basongora social economy could not recover from these events and with the exception of remnant villages around the two lakes, the area was almost completely depopulated. Those who did remain were forced to turn to fishing. These events allowed the game populations to increase and vegetation to change significantly, and played an important role in determining the creation of the national park by the Protectorate administration. In 1906, the area to the north of Lake George was declared a Game Reserve, in order to prevent what some administrators believed to be unregulated hunting by Africans and Europeans and growing pressure for development of cotton and wheat production.

By 1912, the whole of the Lake George and Ishasha areas (Lake George Game Reserve) were declared restricted areas, agricultural and fishing communities moved out to other non-affected areas and the area was largely abandoned. Further outbreaks of sleeping sickness continued up until the mid 1930s. The National Park Ordinance was passed on 31st March 1952 and Queen Elizabeth National Park then, Kazinga National Park was legally gazetted later that year, following intense lobbying by the Chief Game Warden of that time, Bruce Kinloch, and the Governor. As a result, the land area protected within the Lake George Game Reserve area was expanded considerably to include a large area to the east of Lake Edward and














KAZINGA CHANNEL



















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