Embrace Adventure: Explore Kyambura Gorge on a Chimpanzee Safari
Kyambura Gorge found in Queen Elizabeth National park is home to habituated chimpanzee groups which have been opened for chimpanzee trekking on daily basis. Chimpanzee trekking is a process where travelers move in the forest in search for habituated chimpanzee groups. Kyambura Game Reserve in Kasese is where these mysterious creatures are found and it adjoins to the large wildlife park making Kyambura Gorge the only primate conservation area around the famous Queen Elizabeth National park. these chimps in Chambura gorge make a primate safari to QENP a memorable one and we advice by all to have one to either new travelers or expert travelers..
The activity takes about 2-5 hours depending on the location of the chimps on that day. Being wild animals, they tend to move a lot in search for food. once you found them, you will be allowed one hour with them in their Natural habitat.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Game Reserve or Chambura Game Reserve which includes the Kyambura Gorge is located in the Eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest National Park in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park; the park is park is a home to four of the big five game among other variety of mammal species.
Kyambura gorge also known as the valley of apes, is known for harboring chimpanzees which is their main attraction among other primate species including; Black and white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, baboons among others.
The forest is also rich in different bird species that you will see while in the forest for chimpanzee trekking. Besides Kyambura gorge, you can also encounter chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest which also found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Budongo forest in Murchison falls National Park.
The kyambura gorge on chimpanzee trekking safari begins early morning with the briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations to be followed while in the forest trekking the chimps and while in the presence of the chimpanzees.
After the briefing, you will be divided in groups and allocated habituated chimpanzee group each led by an expert guide to begin the search in the forest.
Being wild animals, you will take some time before you find the chimps and once you found them, you will be allowed one hour with them as you observe them play, feed, groom young ones, watch them carry on their daily activities, take photos, record videos for your memories.
When is the time for Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzees live in densely forested areas and thus requires some physical fitness to hike through the forest. Chimpanzee trekking is an all-year-round experience although the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season where by lots of visitors are coming in to the country for tourism purposes.
The dry month is from June, July, August, September, December, January and February because these months are characterized with little or no rainfall received at all. during the dry season, the park trails are dry and easier to navigate through and the vegetation is shorter allows clear views of the chimpanzees and other wildlife species.
Cost of Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge
Permit allows you to see the Chimps in their Natural habitat, the chimpanzee permits in Kyambura gorge costs 50 USD Per person for foreign no residence, 40 USD per person foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African Citizens.
How to Book a Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking permits can be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), or book through a trusted tour operator like us at Adventure in the wild safaris where you will contact us with your dates, month, year when you will be tracking the chimpanzees.
After contacting us with your information, we will check for the availability of the permits and if available on those dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit and once we receive the payments, will be able to acquire the permits for you on your behalf.
Booking a chimpanzee trekking permit through Adventure in the wild safaris, is however the best option to use since it saves you the hustle, we can also plan your whole safari which involves transportation to Kyambura gorge, accommodation where you will be staying during the safari depending your safari plan, services of an experienced guide/driver and other activities of your choice you would like to engage in after chimpanzee trekking and also other safaris destinations you will be visiting as per the itinerary.
Access/How to get to kyambura gorge on chimpanzee trekking safari
Kyambura gorge can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park, by road from Kampala the drive time takes about 7-8 years drive via Mubende, Fort Portal or Masaka, Mbarara to the park headquarters from which you will access the park and Kyambura gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
From Kibale national park, it takes about 3-4 hours drive to kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking.
Kyambura gorge can also be accessed by air transport, Aero link Uganda offers scheduled or chartered domestic flights or with Bar Aviation from Entebbe international airport to Mweya or Kasese airstrip and then connect by road to Kyambura gorge.
Accommodation in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation facilities range from luxury, Budget to Mid-range accommodation from which you can choose to stay during your safari tour in Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park for Chimpanzee trekking.
Including; Enganzi game lodge, Elephant hab lodge, Park view safari lodge, Kyangabi crater resort, Pumba safari lodge, Katara lodge, Twin Lakes safari lodge, Irunga safari lodge, Buffalo safari lodge, Engiri game lodge, Queen Elizabeth bush camp, The baboon safari resort, Tembo safari lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Kasenyi safari camp, Elephant plains lodge, Simba safari camp, Kingfisher lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, Kichwamba jacana safari lodge among others.
