Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge Uganda: Often called Cyambura Gorge, The Kyambura Gorge is an underground tropical forest found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This underground paradise is 100 meters deep and about 1 km long, also it is an extension of the Kyambura Game Reserve which is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Gorge is characterized by dense tropical rainforest, home to a large number of primates including chimpanzees, birds and mammals like elephants as well as hippos. Kyambura Gorge is surrounded by vast summer grasslands on all sides although some human plantations and villages are not very far, the surrounding Savannah receives a lot of sunshine while the gorge still remains relatively cool because of the tall trees blocking the direct sunlight.
Kyambura River running through the gorge is main water source to the plants and animals through the year, the river gets its water from the rocks surrounding the gorge and from the rains. The gorge connects to the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park through a vast wetland.
Kyambura Gorge is often referred to as the “Valley of Apes” due to the small community of chimpanzees and other smaller primates thriving in the forest, the chimpanzee population in the gorge has been habituated thus being the only place where tourists can track chimpanzees and also see other primates in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee Trekking is arguably the drawcard in Kyambura Gorge, chimpanzees are the closest relatives of man and are highly intelligent compared to most primates. They have the ability to walk on two legs like humans and though they prefer using all four limbs, the can communicate and use tools like sticks and stones.
Chimpanzees are social animals living in communities of between 30 to 80 members, their large groups are divided into smaller groups that feed separately before getting back to the group before night. Normally chimpanzees build nests on top of trees for rest in the afternoon and at night.
Building the nets takes a very short time and is done by bending several tree branches together to form a comfortable chimp couch, the most active part of the day for chimpanzees is after getting out of their temporary nests in the morning. They start by picking up fruits randomly in the morning becoming very selective as they get fuller in the afternoon.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge has two sessions that is morning and afternoon, the first sessions start early in the morning with a briefing at the Visitors Centre close to the Gorge.
Note: To take part in chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, you need to acquire a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority got from Mweya Park Office, on a daily 8 permits are issued for each session this a total of 16 permits per day.
After briefing, you are assigned a walking stick and guides to lead you down the gorge. The first task is to go down the 200 meter slope up to the river down the valley. Chimpanzees are very vocal and their location can be identified by following their hoots and distant cries. In case they are quiet, their footprints (in mud) and poop can help in locating them. Once you locate them, you will be able to watch them play, breastfeed, mate, rest and even fight.
Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge have a tendency of getting down the trees each time they see visitors, allowing for great photos from a close distance. Apart from chimpanzees, visitors have a chance of being exposed to vegetation and tall tropical trees, and mammals like hippos, occasional elephant and other small primates.
The whole chimpanzee trekking in the Gorge Experience takes between 2 to 3 hours.
Note: The age limit for Chimpanzee Trekking is 12 years.
How to Get to Kyambura Gorge
From Kampala where most safaris to Kyambura start from, it is a journey of about 420 kilometers via Mbarara Route. On Kampala – Fort Portal Route, it is a distance of 410 kilometers. It is a drive of 6 hours by road to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge.
There are also domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip or Mweya Airstrip and connect to the gorge.
Where to Stay in Kyambura Gorge
There are several accommodation options in Kyambura Gorge, these accommodation options are situated close to Queen Elizabeth National Park offices including
- Jacana Safari Lodge
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Katara Lodge
- Kingfisher Camp
- Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge
- Simba Safari Lodge
- Mweya Hostel