Comparing Lake Manyara with Queen Elizabeth for Tree Climbing Lions
Are you planning a safari to see the famous tree-climbing lions of Africa? Many travellers wonder whether Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda or Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania offers the best chance. Both places are rich in wildlife and beautiful landscapes, yet they differ when it comes to spotting lions in trees. This behaviour is rare among lions, making it one of the most talked-about safari highlights. Some lions in both parks spend their afternoons perched on tree branches instead of lying on the ground. They do this to escape the heat, avoid biting insects, and get a clear view of prey. However, the experience in each park is different, and knowing where to go helps travellers plan better.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most famous savannah park, and the Ishasha sector stands out for tree-climbing lions. Visitors who travel here often enjoy a reliable chance of seeing entire prides relaxing on fig and acacia trees. These sightings are more frequent during the dry season when lions prefer to escape the hot ground. Safari vehicles drive slowly through Ishasha, and guides usually know the trees where lions rest. This makes the experience highly predictable compared to other parks.
The behaviour here is not just occasional but part of the lions’ daily routine. They often climb up during the hottest hours, sometimes spending several hours above the ground. Visitors may find a whole pride stretched out lazily across the branches. The main reasons include escaping heat, avoiding insects such as tsetse flies, and enjoying a higher position for spotting prey. This setting makes Ishasha one of the most special safari locations in Africa. Seeing these lions in trees feels unique because most lions across Africa never show this behaviour.
Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania)
Lake Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania is also known for its tree-climbing lions, though sightings are less predictable. The park sits along the Great Rift Valley and is famous for its beautiful lake, flocks of flamingos, and large elephant populations. Lions in this park occasionally climb acacia trees, but not with the same regularity as those in Ishasha. Travellers might get lucky during a game drive, especially in the dry months, yet the chances remain lower.
When lions here climb trees, the reasons are similar. They want to avoid the blazing heat, escape insects, and sometimes use the height as a lookout point. However, not all prides in Manyara show this behaviour. Guides still know areas where it is possible, and visitors who are patient might enjoy the sight. For many travellers, it adds extra excitement because the experience feels rare and less expected compared to Ishasha. Even if lions are not seen in trees, Lake Manyara still impresses with its wildlife variety and scenic landscapes.
Comparing the Two Parks
Travellers often ask which park gives the better chance for tree-climbing lions. The main difference lies in reliability and predictability. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, especially in the Ishasha sector, the chances are very high. Lions climb trees more often and in a more predictable manner, making it almost a highlight guaranteed during a game drive. In Lake Manyara, the experience is special but much rarer. The lions may climb trees, but it is not a daily routine.
For visitors whose main interest is seeing lions in trees, Uganda’s Ishasha sector is the better option. It offers more consistency and stronger chances of capturing memorable photographs. For those looking for a mix of wildlife and landscapes, Lake Manyara still offers an amazing safari with birds, elephants, and lush scenery. It is also a good choice for travellers already exploring the northern Tanzania safari circuit that includes Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Other Attractions in the Parks
Both parks offer more than just tree-climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also famous for its boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel. Here, visitors watch hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of birds. The park is home to elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and leopards. Game drives across Kasenyi plains give chances to see predators hunting. Ishasha sector remains the highlight for those seeking tree-climbing lions, but the park as a whole provides a wide safari experience.
Lake Manyara National Park charms visitors with its varied habitats. The alkaline lake attracts huge numbers of flamingos. Forested areas hold blue monkeys, baboons, and elephants that often approach close to vehicles. Bird watchers love this park because of the rich variety of species. Although tree-climbing lions are a highlight, they form only part of the Manyara safari appeal. The mix of scenery, wildlife, and birdlife makes it a balanced safari stop.
How to Get to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travellers reach Queen Elizabeth National Park either by road or air. From Kampala or Entebbe, the journey by road takes about 7 to 8 hours. The route passes through towns and offers scenic views of Ugandan countryside. Another option is to fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to airstrips near the park, such as Mweya or Kasese. Flights are quicker and take about an hour, making them popular for those with limited time. Once inside the park, game drives in the Ishasha sector are best done with a safari guide who knows the lion territories.
How to Get to Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is easy to reach from Arusha, the main safari hub in northern Tanzania. The drive from Arusha takes about two hours, making the park ideal for short safaris. Many travellers include it as part of the northern safari circuit that also covers Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The park also has an airstrip, and domestic flights from Arusha or Serengeti make access even easier. Game drives are the best way to explore the park, with routes that pass close to the lake and through forested areas where lions sometimes climb trees.
