Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is – as the name suggests – set in the beautiful wilderness of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. With the Ntungwe River flowing nearby guests can immerse themselves in all the sights, smells and sounds of the area. The camp is intimate, with only ten canvas safari tents, which are all decorated in an authentic and traditional style whilst still being comfortable and relaxing. The main area of the camp is complete with a traditional thatch roof and open sides, so guests can relax and marvel at the luscious grasslands and surrounding trees. Meals are served either in the main dining room, or if the weather permits, outside around a fire pit which sits by the river. Ideally located for exploration, guests can choose from an afternoon spent birdwatching, a guided walk along the river to see some lazy hippos or a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride which will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Uganda
Queen Elizabeth Park was founded in 1952 and named after Queen Elizabeth II two years later. At just under 2000 kilometers², the park is intersected by the equator, giving it a warm climate and a range of diverse landscapes and animals. One of Uganda’s most famous national parks, it is popular with tourists and is a great park for animal spotting.
The topography of the park is made up of azure lakes, rolling grasslands, shady and dense forests, and it is here that elephants, leopard, buffalo, hippos and warthogs, as well as the famous tree climbing lions – who you may see lounging in the branches of fig trees. Over 600 species of bird and 10 species of primate, including chimpanzees inhabit the area too. The park has been gazetted, making sure the ecosystems are protected for generations to come. Guests can access Ishasha Wilderness Camp by flying into the Kihihi airstrip, or by a full days drive from Entebbe and Kampala.
- Located in the biodiverse Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Eco-conscious camp, with a minimal impact on the environment
- Intimate camp with only 10 safari tents
- Tents are luxurious and authentic, with private decking areas affording outstanding views of the surroundings
- Meals are served in the main dining area or al fresco
- Enjoy a sundowner immersing yourself in nature
- Explore the surrounding national park on a guided walk
- Travel to the local Ishasha community to deepen your understanding of the local community
The weather in Queen Elizabeth National Park is varied throughout the year, but generally clumps together in four seasons – two dry, two wet. The first dry season occurs in January to February and during this time of year is the sunniest and driest – although rain showers may still occur – and is often thought to be the best time of year to view wildlife, as thirsty and hot animals gather near sources of water to have a refreshing drink and keep cool.
The second dry season occurs from June to July, and this time is also considered one of the best times to see wildlife, with similar weather to January and February. The first wet season of the year is March through to May, even though the rainfall is higher in these months it is still a great time to visit. The park is alive with colour and luscious flora, and animals can still be spotted. Thunderstorms in the afternoon usually clear up by the evening, and stormy skies set the scene for some breathtaking sunsets. The second wet season is August to December, and during this time – as well as April and May in the first wet season – are the wettest times of the year where rainfall is often and heavy, which may interfere with roads. Temperatures however remain high and steady throughout the year, averaging 29°C during the day, and dropping to an average of 17°C at night.
10 luxury safari canvas-tented rooms are available. These rooms are authentic and comfortable, with a large bed sitting in the centre of the room with crisp white bed linens and authentically patterned bed runners and scatter cushions which add character to the room. The bed is draped in mosquito netting so guests can sleep comfortably and a large, unique travellers chest is placed at the foot of the bed.
Wide windows line the walls, letting natural light flood the room and affording view of luscious grassland and trees, complimenting the neutral colour palette of the room. All rooms come with ensuite bathrooms which include eco-friendly flush toilets and a unique bush shower. Guests can relax on the private verandahs in the evening and take in their stunning surroundings.
Meals are served in the dining room under a thatched roof which acts to keep the space cool. If the weather is nice then dinner is often served under the trees next to the river, for a unique bush dining experience where you can enjoy fresh food under the stars or at sunrise. A sundowner can be enjoyed round the fire pit before or after dinner, where guests can mingle and share stories from their day.
There is no better way to explore the surrounding area and feel closer to nature than on foot. Guests can go on a guided walk along the Ishasha River, with guides who are knowledgable of the area. Guests may even be lucky enough to see a lazy bloat of hippos lounging in the shallows.
Located in the African wilderness means guests don’t have to travel far for an exciting afternoon. Start exploring the camp and the surrounding area from the door to your tent, and keep an eye out for animals and birds, including the rare black bee eater and narina trogon.
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a hot air balloon ride can be arranged. Glide serenely through the air with a unique birds eye perspective of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy uninterrupted and unparalleled views across the endless horizon.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp supports the local community uplift project. This is the best way for guests to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of the local community, where guests can meet the locals, have a chat, see their homesteads and understand their way of life. This is a unique experience which will give guests a greater understanding of the area in which Ishasha Wilderness Camp operates.
By working in the remote and biodiverse areas in which they do, Wild Frontiers have a deep understanding of the importance of, and need for, conservation. The Ishasha Community Project was the initiate of Wild Frontiers as a way “to reduce threats to the ecosystem through increased economic opportunities.” This project sells locally made handcrafted items at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, also provides training for rural living, gives loan arrangements and savings advice, and provides help to the Ishasha community to reduce wildlife ruining their crops. A walk around the village and Ishasha community is available to guests, and this includes seeing the “UCF elephant trench” which is one of the projects “designed to reduce crop raiding.”
Ishasha Wilderness Camp understands the need to project and conserve the environment in which they operate, and make proactive steps to be as low impact as they can in their camps and operations. They monitor their water usage to be as low as possible, as well as their power usage. Power points in the central area and lighting are powered by solar panels, reducing their carbon footprint on the land by using a renewable energy source.
Children of all ages are welcomed at Ishasha Wilderness Camp
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