Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Luxury Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP

Rating: Simple Luxury
Price: $270 

Uganda Safaris travelers seeking complete solitude in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a few nights at Ishasha Wilderness in the Ishasha sector is a must-try. The camp offers genuine eco-camping in a pristine location where hippos snort languidly in the river and elephants wallow in the shallows. The camp’s style is comfortable yet straightforward, emphasizing good living, hearty Afro-Euro cuisine, cold beers on tap, and welcoming faces all around.

The camp’s location is stunning, nestled into the glorious Ntungwe River bend. The main area is a spacious, open-sided space with a lounge, bar, library, and dining area that faces the riverbanks. There is plenty of comfortable seating to admire the burbling river and all its four-legged visitors.

The cool, grass-thatched roof of the main area provides shade even on the hottest savannah afternoons. Dinner is a social affair, often served down by the river, and like all good bush camps, there is a campfire for after-hours drinks.

As the property is set up inside the park, animals roam freely through the camp. Guests may wake up to elephants bathing in the river, hippos grunting, buffalo grazing across the river banks, and resident troops of colobus and vervet monkeys swinging on low-hanging branches. George, the lone hippo, usually inspects his campgrounds and leaves impressive smiles on guests. Camp security personnel are always on hand to escort and assist guests should they feel unsafe in the wild.

How to reach Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is located in the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its famous tree-climbing lions. Guests can reach the camp from Entebbe with a 1-hour flight plus a 2.5-hour drive from Kasese Airport. From Bwindi, Kihihi Airtrips, guests take a 15-minute flight, or a 4-hour drive through the park, to reach the camp.

Accommodation at Ishasha Wilderness

Ishasha Wilderness Camp boasts 10 Meru-style bush camp tents, each with a spacious bedroom area featuring large beds with gauzy mosquito nets. The ensuite bathrooms are open-air, with bucket showers at the back and running water at the sinks.

Nestled discreetly along the riverbanks, Ishasha Wilderness Camp’s tents offer exclusive privacy, a shadowy veranda, and chairs for river-watching by day and star-gazing by night. The camp is committed to leaving only the lightest of footprints, so it’s solar-powered lighting, flickering kerosene lanterns, and eco-flush loos all the way.

Under a cool thatched roof, a central lounge and dining area provide a comfortable environment for meals and relaxation during the heat of the day. The chef serves meals’ al fresco’ under the trees next to the river. In the evenings, the ‘fireplace’ lights up for guests to unwind with sundowners and share their day’s experiences.

The Food

The food service at Ishasha Wilderness Camp is usually of reasonably high quality, and the camp can accommodate special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and other variations, given sufficient notice upon booking.

Early morning wake-up calls with tea/coffee allow guests to savor the early morning sounds of the ‘bush’ awakening. We recommend a stay of two to four nights at the camp to fully appreciate its charms. One of the highlights is the possible viewing of the famous tree-climbing lions of the area, often found resting in the branches of giant fig trees.

Bush breakfasts and sundowners within the park complete the ‘bush’ experience offered at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Power supply

The property runs on generator power, with regular 230Vac electricity available 24 hours, and there are no significant restrictions on using higher power items such as hair dryers. There are no power outlets in the rooms, but there is a central station for charging electronic equipment. Outlets are British standard three rectangular pin format. Adaptors are usually available, but it is always worth bringing your own. We recommend buying them in advance rather than trying to get them at the airport on the way since they often run out.

Rates

Activities at Ishasha Wilderness Camp

For those seeking an authentic savannah wilderness experience in Uganda, Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an excellent choice. Located in the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the camp offers bush luxury and the chance to meet some of the most incredible savannah animals, including the famous tree-climbing lions.

The camp is also conveniently located close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an ideal stopover for gorilla tours. Guests can also enjoy epic wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth Savannah Plains or explore the camp on foot for rare bird species like the Narina Trogon and Black Bee-eaters.

Community Tours

For those interested in community tourism, the camp supports the Ishasha Community Uplift Project, which offers tours of local farming communities living beside the national park.

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimp trekking is also available in the low-key Kyambura Gorge forest reserve, where visitors can spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, baboons, and vervet monkeys. The park is also home to various avian species, with 597 bird species recorded.

Game drives and boat safari on the Kazinga channel

Beyond the park’s southern section, the northern section’s Kasenyi Plains offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. It is arguably one of Uganda’s best wildlife photography locations. Visitors can take boat trips on Kazinga Channel to watch waterhole dramas and experience exclusive safari lodges and camps.