Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. This intimate camp has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for its superb quality accommodation and exceptional service.

Set next to the Ntungwe River, each of the camp’s ten spacious canvas tented rooms has a private verandah overlooking the river. Comfortably furnished with large mosquito-netted beds, all rooms are en suite with hot ‘bush’ showers, running water for hand basins and a flushing ‘eco-friendly’ toilet.

The thatched central lounge and dining area provide a comfortable setting for meals and relaxation, although we often serve meals ‘al fresco’ next to the river. In the evening, the outdoor fireplace is the perfect place for guests to relax with sundowners and share their day’s experiences.

Being within the park the wildlife is free to also pass through the camp and elephants can be seen bathing in the river, buffalo enjoy grazing and resident troops of Black-and-White Colobus and vervet monkeys are frequently viewed. If you are lucky, George, the lone hippo, can also be seen beside the camp. Our attentive security staff are always on hand to escort and assist you should you feel the wildlife is too close! Bush breakfasts and sundowners within the park complete the ‘bush’ experience offered at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Framed Canvas Luxury Tents
Each of the ten framed, spacious canvas tents, set in a wooded area beside the Ntungwe river, is comfortably furnished, with an en suite bathroom offering running water, hot water 'bush' showers and a flushing eco-friendly toilet. The appeal of camping that doesn't compromise on comfort. A spacious patio outside each tent allows guests to take a bit of downtime, read a book or just stretch out while taking in the sights and sounds around them.

Safaris in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Queen Elizabeth National Park spreads over an area of 1978 square km in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, buffalo and Uganda kob. Birds present are all typical of riverine and savannah habitats.

The Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the place to search for the tree climbing lions often to be seen in the vicinity of the camp which is situated just off the Northern circuit game viewing track. The lions also favor the large fig trees on the Southern circuit game viewing track and this offers alternative game viewing routes.

On early morning and late afternoon game drives, either in your safari vehicle, or for fly-in guests – in our dedicated camp open safari vehicle, you may explore the area’s game routes in search of the different species. The area is still pristine and untouched with only a handful of game vehicles found around the area at any time. Being the only camp within the park, it offers flexibility of timings for drives allowing guests to maximize their game sightings in this area.

Bush Breakfasts and Sundowners
Sundowners can be arranged for the late afternoon at a suitable viewing point either along the ridge area or besides the Ntungwe River to allow guests to savor the vast vistas and atmosphere of this beautiful area of the park.

Bush breakfasts are also available to camp guests when arranged prior to their stay and if the weather allows. Your own personal chef and dining set-up in the wilderness can be combined with an early-morning safari drive.

Community Tours & Visits
Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour: Situated in a small village on the fringes of the Queen Elizabeth National park, Agartha is a strong member of the local community group and tirelessly works to improve not only her family’s well-being but also her neighbors.

Agartha takes great pride in sharing with you how the women of her tribe, the Bakiga, prepare their favorite food. Not only do you hear how the ingredients are grown and harvested but you can witness how to shift, grind, cook, and most importantly, keep the much-loved food warm for their husbands.

During the tour Agartha weaves in stories of what it’s like to be a Bakiga wife whilst encouraging you to taste what you may have helped prepare together. She then sends you off on your journey with a packed traditional snack and a taste of the local brew if you wish too!

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Located just outside the North-Eastern boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the picturesque Kyambura Gorge is home to a small community of habituated chimpanzees.

Guests can trek the chimpanzees in the company of a Wildlife Authority ranger. Please note that a trekking permit is required and must be purchased in advance of your visit.

About the area
Queen Elizabeth National park spreads over an area of 1 978 km2 in the western arm of the Great East Rift Valley. Its savannah and riverine habitats are home to elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, buffalo, and Uganda kob, baboon, and over 600 species of birds. Ishasha is an unspoiled and remote sector of Queen Elizabeth, famous for its tree-climbing lions that can sometimes be spotted resting in the branches of the area’s large fig trees.

The camp’s location, midway between the Mweya area of Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, make it a natural place to spend a few nights.

When to go
Ishasha may be visited all year round. Photography is particularly rewarding in April and June/July, when the air is clear. Game and bird life is prolific all year round, but bird-watching is good during the summer months (Oct—Nov) for migratory species as well as endemics. This area of Uganda has a temperate climate all year round, 25–30˚C during the day and 8–12˚C at night.

Your safari experience
On your early morning or later afternoon game drives we’ll explore Ishasha’s pristine game area. The camp’s remote location means that you are unlikely to encounter many other people during your game drives and you may feel you ‘own’ the park! The area is renowned for frequent sightings of hyenas and tree-climbing lions.

At a glance
•  Set in the unspoiled Ishasha sector of southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
•  10 luxury en-suite safari canvas-tented rooms
•  Hot water ‘bush showers’ and flushing eco-friendly toilets
•  Spacious thatched lounge and dining area overlooking the river
•  Free WiFi internet and recharging facilities available
•  Activities include game drives, bush breakfasts, sundowners, guided nature walks, bird-watching, hot air ballooning and  award-winning community projects
•  Close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
•  Children and families welcome

Other activities in the area
•  Hot air balloon rides  » Explore the camp on foot in search of the Narina Trogon  and Black Bee eaters, two of the camp’s rarer bird species
•  Savor Ishasha’s vast vistas and the atmosphere of this  beautiful area of the park with a bush breakfast or late  afternoon sundowner besides the Ntungwe River or along  the ridge
•  Guided walks along the Ishasha River for close-up viewing  of hippos can be arranged with National Park staff
•  We are proud to support the Ishasha Community Uplift  Project which was voted Best Community Tourism Initiative  2015 for developing Deo’s Homestead Tour and Agartha’s  ‘Taste of Uganda’ Tour, a short drive from the camp. Meet the people of Ishasha and see how the farming community lives beside the National Park

Getting there
•  Scheduled or charter flights to a nearby airstrip (Kihihi)
•  Full day drive from Entebbe & Kampala » 2 to 3 hours drive from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
•  2 hours drive from the Central Mweya area of Queen Elizabeth National Park
•  Fly-in packages to Ishasha available

For more information about Ishasha Wilderness Camp click HERE.

To view videos of Ishasha Wilderness Camp click HERE.