In the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lies Kyambura Gorge a breath-taking destination renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Kyambura gorge is a home to a variety of wildlife species since its in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park such as troops of Chimpanzees, baboons, Monkeys and different species of birds making a visitor’s destination for travellers on a Uganda Safari.

However, despite of so many factors, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge remains not so popular and under visited. Upon chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, chances of spotting chimpanzees are very low compared to Kalinzu Forest.

Chimpanzee population in Kyambura Gorge.

The chimpanzee population in Kyambura is more less compared to the number chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. Kyambura Gorge habits about 16 chimpanzee individuals in total and this was a result of the unprotected corridors of the park, deforestation and hunting by the locals. The number of males out weighs the females since there were no new female immigration.

What’s Holding back Kyambura Gorge’s Chimpanzee trekking potential?

The chimpanzee population in Kyambura gorge is one of the primary challenges as to why chimpanzee trekking is not so popular like that of Kibale Forest national park. The chimpanzees of Kyambura gorge leave in a rugged terrain with in the gorge making the chimpanzee trekking experience so difficult for tourists.

Chimpanzees’ way of life in Kyambura gorge is further characterized by being mobile and active in nature thus, they tend to move far in the forest making it difficult for trackers.

Unveiling the secrets of Kyambura Gorge.

Well as the chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is not so popular, Kyambura gorge is still virgin with untamed beauty awaiting travellers and tourists. A traveller planning to embark a Uganda gorilla trekking Safari can still combine and make the package a chimpanzee and gorilla trekking tour with Bujo Safaris. Unveil the secrets of this natural sanctuary creating unforgotable memories amidist the valley of apes and endless views of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kyambura gorge is a rich array of flora and fauna making it a buffer zone of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A variety of wildlife species such as black and white monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, reptiles, bird species such as African finfoot, blue headed bee eater, martial eagle, African skimmer, black rumped buttonquail, white tailed lark, bar tailed godwit among others including the chimpanzees that make it a Uganda birding and chimpanzee trekking destination

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Despite the low population of chimpanzee individuals in Kyambura gorge, Chimpanzee trekking is available all year round thus creating lifetime memories. The chimpanzee trekking experience is granted to a minimum age of 15 years and above.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on the location of chimpanzees. Visitors are taken through a briefing before the actual trekking including the dos and don’ts. During the trekking, a birder can spot a variety of bird species such as African finfoot, blue headed bee eater, martial eagle, African skimmer, black rumped buttonquail, white tailed lark, bar tailed godwit, African broadbill papyrus canary, white winged warbler among others.

Upon meeting the chimpanzees, visitors are granted 1 hour to spend with a close encounter to the chimpanzees for photo moments and learning about their lifestyle, behaviours such as grooming young ones, playing, hunting and feeding among others.

After this experience, the Uganda Wild Life Authority awards trekkers with chimpanzee trekking Certificate.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge runs in two sections that is Morning and evening session for trackers depending on the arrival time. The Morning session starts at 0800 and ends at mid day while the afternoon session starts at 1400 and ends in the evening depending on the nature of the trek and location of the chimpanzees

What to wear and pack for Chimpanzee trekking experience.

The chimpanzee trekking experience is done in the natural sanctuary and requires a trekker to be much prepared prior to the trekking. One requires to carry a mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, sun glasses, camera, long sleeved shirt, sun hat, long sleeved shirt, mineral water among others. These ensure safety for a visitor navigating through the dense forests of the gorge that also is a home to Tsetse flies thus makes the experience a memorable one

How Much is a Chimpanzee trekking Permit in Kyambura Gorge?

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura is more affordable to travellers planning a primate safari than that of Kibale forest national park and Budongo Forest. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura costs USD 100 (Foreign Non-Residents), USD 80 (Foreign Residents) and UGX 50,000 (East African Citizens).

Booking a Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura Gorge.

In order to reserve and book a chimpanzee trekking permit, one requires to go through a careful process directly through visiting the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or via their email.

Alternatively, you can send us via our inquiry with your names and dates of travel. This helps us to check the availability of your chimpanzee trekking permit on the travel dates thus ensuring a seamless experience to a traveller on a primate safari

Where to Stay in Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Situated in Western Uganda, Kyambura gorge lies in the north eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is approximately 15km away from the park head quatres. There are a variety of accommodation options with mind blowing and breathe taking views to the park. Accommodation in Kyambura ranges from luxury to budget options.

          Luxury Accommodation

Kyambura Gorge Lodge; the lodge is situated at the edge of Kyambura gorge and boasts breathe taking views of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge offers 8 accommodation bandas reflecting on the African traditional homes, swimming pool, lounge area with fully furnished furniture among others.

Katara Lodge; its located on the Albertine rift valley escarpment and offers 8 luxury thatched cottages overlooking queen Elizabeth national park.

          Midrange accommodation

Twin Lakes Safari Lodge; the lodge is located approximately 2km from Kyambura gorge and offers luxury accommodation, swimming pool, lounge area, WIFI among others.

Elephant Plains Lodge: its a new lodge facility at the edge of Kyambura gorge overlooking the park and Kyambura gorge. The lodge offers well thatched rooms that blend with nature.

          Budget accommodation

Pumba Safari Lodge; the lodge is situated at the edge of Kyambura gorge and offers budget rooms with fully furnished furniture, restaurant, and lounge.

Baboon Safari Lodge: located at the Kyambura escarpment overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park with breathtaking views. The lodge has got 10 spacious self-contained rooms, WIFI among others.

ACCESSING KYAMBURA GORGE AND AWAY.

Kyambura gorge is situated in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National park and can be accessed by road and air. Travellers opting to use air transport, can fly to kasese Airstrip for about 1 to 2 hours from kajjansi airstrip and connect to Kyambura gorge by road transport.

Alternatively, one can access the park using road transport which takes about 6 to 7 hours using Masaka Mbarara High way with numerous stopovers at the Uganda Equator for photo moment and buying some souvenirs and Mbarara city for Lunch and later Enroute to Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park