This 3-day Ishasha sector safari is a great opportunity to see the famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is Uganda’s most visited and is located in the southwestern part of the country. Besides these rare lions, there are many other attractions to enjoy, such as Lake Edward, the rift valley escarpments, and the open landscapes.
Even though the safari lasts only a few days, you will also experience the equator crossing. This is a special moment where you can stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. The Ishasha sector is also a good place for bird watching, with many bird species to see.
This 3-day safari starts and ends in Kampala or at Entebbe International Airport. Along the way, you will stop in Mbarara for lunch and a chance to interact with the Banyankore people.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up, Transfer to Ishasha, and Equator Crossing
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Kampala or welcome you at Entebbe International Airport. After a short briefing about the safari, you will begin the journey to the Ishasha sector. The drive takes 9 to 10 hours, covering about 452 kilometers through Masaka and Mbarara.
On the way, you will stop at Kayabwe, the Equator crossing point, where you can enjoy experiments that show the effect of being on the equator. Take photos at the monument and visit nearby craft shops. You will also stop in Mbarara for lunch.
From there, continue the journey while enjoying views of escarpments and other natural features. On arrival in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals like elephants, antelopes, warthogs, buffaloes, lions, and leopards before reaching your lodge. Check in, freshen up, relax, and enjoy dinner before overnight rest.
Day 2: Game Drive in the Ishasha Sector
After an early breakfast, head out for a game drive in the Ishasha plains to look for the tree-climbing lions resting in the fig trees. If you are lucky, you might also see them hunting. The area has many other animals such as elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, and waterbucks. Bird species include the great blue turaco, yellow oxpecker, and palm-nut vulture.
The game drive lasts about 2 to 3 hours. Return to your lodge to freshen up and have lunch. Later, visit Lake Edward for bird watching and a chance to see the rare shoebill stork. You may also spot other waterbirds and, occasionally, leopards. In the evening, relax by a bonfire at your lodge, share stories with other travelers if you wish, and enjoy dinner before overnight rest.
Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala. On the way, look out for any wildlife you may have missed earlier. You will again stop in Mbarara for lunch before continuing to Kampala, where you will arrive in the evening. If you have a flight, you will be dropped at Entebbe International Airport. This will mark the end of your 3-day Ishasha sector safari.
