Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge : Kyambura Gorge also referred to as the “Valley of Apes” is an underground forest found in the northeastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the gorge lies within Kyambura Game reserve which was created as a buffer zone to protect the park from encroaching human activities.

The Gorge is 100 meters deep and about 1-kilometer-long characterized of dense tropical rain forest a habitat for a large number of birds, primates and mammals such as elephants and hippos. Kyambura Gorge has towering 100 m high rock walks surrounded by thick jungle, boggy swamps and large crater lakes providing with you a feeling of entering a pre-historic time.

The Kyambura Game Reserve covers about 156 square kilometers and Kyambura Gorge itself spans just 11 kilometers but 100 meters deep, there is the Kyambura River running through the gorge and the reserve connecting to Kazinga Channel.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda and the most popular wildlife travel destination located in Western Uganda, this beautiful national park is the most diverse park in Uganda with spectacular combination of forests, grasslands and waterscapes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for big cats such as tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector and leopards and other big game including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs among others. The park is also home to over 600 species of recorded birds including endemic species, savannah, forest and water birds.

At a size of 1,978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth national park is divided into 5 sectors that is the Northeast Escarpment, Kyambura Gorge, Ishasha Sector, Mweya Peninsula and Rift Valley Escarpment.

Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is done in the morning and afternoon hours of the day depending on your preference as traveler and also your itinerary, the trek takes about 2 to 3 hours and it can be done as half day or full day depending on the movement of the chimpanzees in the forest.

Each chimpanzee trekking experience starts with briefing session of all trekkers where rangers will explain the nature of the terrain, information about the chimpanzees and what to expect. Once briefing is done you will be led down into to forest to trek the chimpanzees in groups of 8 people per session.

Chimpanzees are very vocal creatures and their location can be known by following the direction of their hoots and distant cries, in the event where their cries are not heard you will follow their footprints along the forest floor or poop left by the troop as they move about.once you find the chimpanzees you are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour watching these amazing creatures feed, resting and playing with each other and take amazing pictures and videos.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge also provides chances of viewing other primates in the forest such as olive baboons, red tailed monkey, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, butterflies, mammals, reptiles and many birds such as blue-headed bee-eater and African FinFoot as you trek through the forest.

Chances of spotting chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are about 88 percent.

The Cost for Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is a more affordable than chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park – The primate Capital of Africa, Kyambura Gorge is a perfect destination for travelers who wish to do gorilla trekking but on a budget.

The cost for chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura Gorge are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and it is 50 USD per person.

How to book chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura Gorge?

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and they are sold by at their headquarters in Kampala, however travelers can only purchase them via a local Registered Tour Company.

The permits are also got from Mweya, Park offices.

You need to book your chimpanzee permits in advance for proper arrangements for an incredible chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda’s Kyambura Gorge.

What to pack for Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura Gorge?

• Strong and Light gum boots or hiking boots
• Water proof rain jacket
• Wide brim hat
• Hiking stick
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Long sleeved shirt and long trousers

How to get to Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge can be accessed by road and air means of transport.

By Road – Kyambura Gorge is accessed from either Kampala or Entebbe via Fort Portal or Bushenyi which is a drive of approximately 6-7 hours of drive. The park can also be accessed through Kampala – Fort – Portal – Kasese highway, from Kasese you will connect to the Kyambura Gorge with a drive of 1-2 hours drive.

The best way to get to Kyambura Gorge is driving from Kampala ton Kampala – Mbarara – Bushenyi Highway.

By Air: you can fly from Entebbe International Airport of Kajjansi Airstrip to either Kasese or Mweya Airstrips and transfer to Kyambura gorge by road. There are scheduled and chartered flights operated by domestic airline operators including Bar Aviation and Aerolink Uganda.

Where to stay in Kyambura Gorge

The best places to stay at in Kyambura Gorge range from luxury, midrange to Budget and these include

• Pumba Safari Lodge
• Elephant Hub Lodge
• Buffalo Safari Lodge
• Kyambura Gorge
• Katara Lodge
• Mazike Lodge among others

Additional information About Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

• The chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are used to the presence of humans, this is due to the presence of local communities close to the gorge.
• The cost of a chimpanzee permits in Kyambura Gorge – A chimpanzee permit in Kyambura Gorge costs $ 50 for international visitors, Ugandans, East African national and foreigners residing in Uganda pay 30,000 shillings.
• To have the best chimpanzee tracking experiences in Kyambura Gorge, one needs to be physically and mentally fit. The trek involves movements over a long distance on a rough terrain. You also need to climb down and up the underground forest. Once inside in the gorge it might take a while find the chimpanzees.
• Visitors below the age of 12 years are not allowed to participate to chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, this age limit is applied to ensure that visitors on the trek are mature enough, enthusiastic about primates and ready to endure the physical and mental aspects of the whole excursion.

Best time to visit Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee Trekking

The best time to visit Kyambura Gorge (Kyambura Game Reserve) for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season from December to February and from late June to October. This is considered the best time for chimpanzee trekking is there is little to no rain to affect your excursion and the paths in the gorge are more accessible and less slippery.