Ishasha tree climbing lions

A visit to Ishasha will not only reward you with the scenic views of the picturesque landscape but also with a chance to stumble upon the population of the exceptional tree-climbing lions. For example, in Ishasha, the lions can be seen atop huge fig tree branches as they keenly watch a herd of peacefully grazing antelopes, gazelles, and impalas. These herbivores form the main prey of these tree-loving lions.

If you're lucky enough, you may catch the rare spectacle of a lion gingerly and carefully moving around a tree branch before pouncing on the ground. The awkward, almost unnatural hesitance which it exhibits is in sharp contrast to the flawless agility and ease that a leopard's movements demonstrate.

Whether these lions choose to climb the trees to get a panoramic view of the surrounding escarpments or do so to avoid the irritation from ground level bugs such as the tsetse flies, one thing remains clear. The art of effectively scaling trees - especially for older lions - calls for a measure of effort, constant practice and excellent arboreal mastery. Fortunately, like any skill that is hard to perfect, the more these lions climb the trees, the more adept they become at it.