Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth national park

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth national park

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth national park :  Kyambura gorge which is also known as the valley of apes is a tropical rainforest located in the north eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and it’s the only destination in the park where you can see the endangered chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking is the major and most interesting activity in Kyambura gorge where you will get an opportunity to move on foot into the dense tropical forest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their environment.

Kyambura gorge is known for harboring variety of bird species like shoebill stork, martial eagle, African broadbill, black headed bee-eater, papyrus canary, mammals like elephants, hippos, other primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is an adventurous activity which is done in two sessions every day that is in the morning session which starts at around 8:00am and the afternoon session which starts at around 2:00pm. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge starts early in the morning at with a briefing at the visitors center where after you will be subdivided into groups of 6 people and start trekking in the jungle with a well trained park guide who is knowledgeable about the chimpanzees and also well conversant with different trails.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food especially during the dry season. During trekking you will be able to view variety of bird species, other primates like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, different plant and tree species among others.

Once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you a chance to take pictures, learn about their behaviors, lifestyle, record the breathtaking moments as they carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, hunting, fighting, resting, grooming young ones among others.

Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge

A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document or card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family in Kyambura gorge. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge costs USD 50 per person for foreign non residents, USD 50 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 per person for East African citizens. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge is cheap compared to Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park where a permit costs USD 120 per person for foreign non residents, USD 110 per person for foreign residents and USD 80 per person for East African citizens and Kibale forest national park where a chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 200 per person for foreign non residents, USD 150 per person for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 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 by contacting the offices via email or telephone calls or you can book through a trusted tour operator. Booking through Achieve Global Safaris is the best option to use in that you will contact us with your names and dates when you wish to visit chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. We will check for permit availability which match with your date and when if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once we receive the payment we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy as confirmation.

How to get to Kyambura gorge-Queen Elizabeth national park

Kyambura gorge can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Mubende – Fort Portal road or via Masaka – Mbarara road to queen Elizabeth national park headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours drive in a 4WD safari vehicle and then drive 30 kilometers to Kyambura gorge visitor’s center.

Kyambura gorge can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter of scheduled flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to the Mweya airstrip or Kasese airstrip. Domestic flights to Kyambura gorge can be booked through your tour operator.

Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge

There are a number of accommodation facilities near Kyambura gorge where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including Pumba safari cottages, hippo hill lodge, Simba safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth bush lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, Katara lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge, Kingfisher camp, Jacana safari lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Parkview safari lodge, Elephant hab lodge among others.

When to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season there is less or little rainfall in the tropical rainforest therefore vegetation will be thin which makes viewing of chimpanzees easy and chimpanzee trekking trails in the gorge will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.

Apart from chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge you can also participate in other interesting activities in Queen Elizabeth national park such as game drives in Kasenyi plains, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, lion tracking experience, guided nature walks, bird watching among others.

For more information about chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge-Queen Elizabeth national park or chimpanzee trekking packages you can visit our website or contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.