Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is a tented safari camp in the remote, unspoilt Ishasha region of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. On a beautiful spot by the river, it is the only comfortable accommodation within a two-hour drive and is the best base for game drives in search of the famous tree-climbing lions.

Accommodation

Ishasha offers 10 East Africa style tents on the banks of the Ntungwe River, set well apart to provide privacy. Each tent is equipped with twin beds and simple but tasteful furnishings. All the tents have en suite facilities with an eco-loo and bush shower, with hot water supplied on request. Each tent has a private verandah overlooking the river. 

Food and facilities

The food is very good, four-course dinners are served each evening either outside, next to the river, or in the tented dining area if the weather is less favourable. Lunch is a selection of salads and cold meats. Hot drinks and biscuits are brought to your room in the morning and breakfast (served either before or after your morning game drive) consists of local fruits, cereals and a full English breakfast, cooked to order.

The bar is open all day and is well-stocked and reasonably priced. Complimentary hot drinks and biscuits are available from the tented lounge area throughout the day. 

Activities

Between your morning and afternoon game drives, the camp offers a very pleasant riverside environment to relax with a book and a cold drink. If you like constant activity, you may find the afternoons somewhat frustrating and perhaps should go for no more than a couple of nights. If you love the unmediated experience of wilderness, the sounds and scent of the bush, prolong your stay. Elephants, hippos and buffalo can sometimes be seen crossing the river near the camp. Large herds of game congregate in the Lake Edward Flats area, which is rich in birdlife (including the elusive Shoebill) and an excursion can be arranged.

Environment

The operation of the lodge is strictly controlled to preserve the nature of the wilderness area in which it is located. The whole camp is designed to leave no permanent footprint. The toilets are eco-loos, rather than flush toilets, which may take a bit of getting used to but are clean and functional. The bush showers are designed to limit the amount of water that the camp consumes. All of the camp’s electricity comes from solar panels. Batteries can be charged at the central area.

Location

The camp is sited on the banks of the Ntungwe River at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a sector characterised by its expansive savannah landscape teeming with a variety of wildlife. It is about a 2 – 3 hour scenic drive from Mweya, 2 hours north of Bwindi and roughly 8 hours from Kampala / Entebbe. If you are short on time or wish to avoid the long drives on dirt tracks, there is an airstrip about 30 minutes from the camp.