CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN KYAMBURA GORGE.
Have you ever heard about chimpanzee trekking in Uganda not in Kibale National park? Kyambura gorge is the place, as pronounced by the locals as ‘Chambura’ gorge; it is situated in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park within the western escarpment of the great Albertine rift. The gorge is home to several wildlife ranging from primates to butterflies and as well known for chimpanzee trekking as the main activity here. Research proves that only sixteen habituated chimpanzees can be found in this underground forest. The Kyambura river drains the gorge forming a great forest that stretches 1km long.
Chimpanzee trekking takes 2-3 hours in Kyambura gorge, carried out in two shifts; morning shift which starts at 8:00 am and afternoon shift which starts at 2:00 pm. Trekking these chimpanzees here is done in a group of 6 people and the search is done with the help of armed park ranger guide.
Trekking chimps here is easier compared to Kibale national park and this is because chimps here live in only one troop compared to Kibale chimps and the distance they roam is lesser than those of Kibale and Budongo forests.
The activity of chimp trekking like other areas, start with a briefing by the ranger guide or warden, then grouped and head to search for these beautiful creatures and our cousins which we share up to 98% of DNA with. Most of the chimps are sighted in trees and thickets as they try to search for food.
Like other chimpanzee trekking destinations, upon meeting them, you are given an hour of sighting these chimps while taking photos. Remember that Kyambura gorge is a lowland forest and therefore, it is filled with other attractions like white and black colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and birds like African broadbill, Pink-backed pelican, and black bee-eater among others and also butterflies.
This safari rewards you with the best memories as you take a game drive through Queen Elizabeth national park plains while sighting wildlife such as elephants, buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, leopards, giraffes, olive baboons among others.
How to access Kyambura gorge?
Kyambura gorge is located at the edge of Queen Elizabeth national park, therefore you can access the gorge using any gate to this park.
Using road transport, from Kampala you can access the park by either using Masaka - Mbarara road covering a distance of 425km or Kampala – Mityana - Fort portal Road covering a distance of 410km.
The journey takes about 6-7 hours but interesting as you pass at the Uganda Equator, tea plantations, Rwenzori ranges depending on the route you use.
You can also use a scheduled / charter flight from Entebbe-Kajjansi to Kasese or Mweya airstrips and then pick up to Kyambura. This means that in 2-3 days you can carry out a chimp trekking safari in Kyambura gorge and get the best experience. Chimp trekking permits in Kyambura are very cheap compared to Kibale chimp permits and the permit goes for only 50 dollars per person. For budget travellers, this is the best option for you.
Accommodation in Kyambura gorge
Some tourists get worried about where to spend a night while on their chimp safari to Kyambura gorge and what you need to know that Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by all types of accommodations depending on your budget. The accommodation facilities range from budgets to luxury with beautiful sights.
Are you planning for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge? We are here to help and take you there. Book a safari with us!!!!