Queen Elizabeth National Park

Famous tree climbing lions - picture taken on my last trip

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most diverse ecosystems in Africa. The melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland system comprising of two main lakes; George and Edward, as well as the connecting Kazinga Channel. Thousands of Hippos populate these lake shorelines. Open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provide habitat for elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs and big herds of buffaloes. Ten primate species including chimpanzees are present. Among the many other animals seen frequently are giant forest hog. This National Park boasts more bird species than any other park in Africa; 610 species!

 As we travel into the national park we go through the Ishasha section, an acacia studded savannah populated with Topi, Buffalo and Uganda Kob, where we have the possibility of seeing the famous tree-climbing lions that occasionally lounge on large fig trees.

From Wikipedia: The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males often sport black manes.

 

lion tree unzoomed

The first lions we encountered on our safari were in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The middle picture was taken without zoom - if you look closely you can see the limbs of the lions hanging from the main branches. 

Soon to follow were our first Elephants!

Topi

Kob