Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge; Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting and one of the major activities in Kyambura gorge where visitors get an opportunity to move into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Kyambura forest is located in Eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison falls national park. Queen Elizabeth national park is famously known for harboring abundant wildlife species including the tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, Uganda kobs, topis, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs and variety of bird species. Kyambura gorge also known as the valley of apes is the third best chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda after Kibale forest national park and Kalinzu forest.
It starts starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 6 people and start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge takes about 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, different bird and tree species among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment which gives you a chance to learn about their behaviors, habits, watch chimpanzees carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge
A chimpanzee trekking permit is a card or document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to any visitor above the age of 15 year allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family and spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge costs 50 USD per person for foreign non residents, 40 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority whereby you will contact the park offices via email or telephone calls. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge can also be booked through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will acquire the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less or little rainfall in the national park therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to view chimpanzees and other wildlife species clearly, access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
How to get to Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Mubende, Fort Portal or Masaka, Mbarara to Kyambura gorge which takes about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.
Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter or scheduled flight with Bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Mweya or Kasese airstrip and then connect to Kyambura gorge by road.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
There are a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambur gorge. The accommodation facilities range from budget, midrange or luxury including Kyambura gorge lodge, Kyambura tented camp, Savannah resort hotel, Engiri game lodge and campsite, Kazinga channel view resort, Tembo safari lodge, Irungu forest safari lodge, Marafiki safari lodge, White house hotel, Mweya safari lodge, Kasenyi safari camp, Pumba safari cottages, Parkview safari lodge, Elephant hab lodge, Enganzi lodge, Elephant plains lodge, Simba safari camp, Queen Elizabeth safari camp, Mweya hostels and cottages, Lake Chibwera camp, Queen Elizabeth bush lodge, Katara lodge, King fisher lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, Kitandara hippo hill lodge, Kyambura game lodge among others.
Other activities in Kyambura gorge
There are other interesting activities that you can engage in including guided nature walk where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, bird watching where you will be able to view variety of bird species and wildlife viewing in Kasenyi plains where you will be able to view different animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, leopards among others.
