Kyambura Gorge “The Valley of Apes”
Kyambura Gorge “The Valley of Apes”
Kyambura Gorge is a stunning feature found in western Uganda in the far eastern corner of the famous Queen Elizabeth national park, the gorge is frequently referred to as the valley of Apes by many tourists. Kyambura gorge lies in a distance of 30 kilometers from the headquarters of Queen Elizabeth national park and traverses a separation of 11 kilometers and connects to the beautiful Kazinga channel. The Gorge is the longest chasm in the whole of East Africa and a recognized home for primates; the gorge is dominated by tropical rain forests in the valley and savannah above creating a whole new world amidst Queen Elizabeth national park.
Attractions in Kyambura gorge
The Gorge
The gorge is of 1 kilometer a cross at its broadest point and 100 meters deep in the Kichwamba escarpment, the gorge is one of the most impressive landscapes in Uganda. The Gorge also refered to as Chambura gorge consists of a great ecosystem such as a tree canopy with tropical underground forest and primates. The gorge is crossed by River Kyambura from which the gorge derives its name, the steep slopes of Kyambura was formed as a result of thunderous flow of Kyambura River. River Kyambura is sheltered by riverine forests which are home to primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and many birds.
Primates
Kyambura gorge is densely dominated by both tropical and riverine forest trees; the thick forest canopy cover offers a thriving home for primates which are the greatest attractions in the gorge. Kyambura gorge is known chimpanzee tracking and it is the only place in Queen Elizabeth national park to find habituated chimpanzees. Primates in Kyambura gorge include chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. These primates can be easily be seen while in the Gorge.
Birds
The Gorge is a home to a diversity of bird species including avian species and forest bird species, birds in Kyambura gorge include African Finfoot, blue headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African skimmer, lesser and greater flamingoes, Chapin’s flycatcher, white tailed lark, corncrake, pink backed pelican, verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eater, papyrus gonolek, African broadbill, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler, white-winged warbler and many more.
Things to do in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is the highlight safari experience done in Kyambura gorge, Kyambura gorge is known for hosting habituated chimpanzees and the only place in Queen Elizabeth national park where these habituated primates can be found. To participate in chimpanzee tracking in the forests of Kyambura gorge reservations are made at Mweya Visitor Information Centre, this experiences begins early in the morning with briefing where rules and regulations to be followed will be read to you then head in to the forests in search for the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee in Kyambura are habituated meaning they are familiar human presence, while you hike through the forests you get to spot other primates such as olive baboons, vervet monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys playing on trees, birds and sights of many flowering plants. when you find the amazing chimpanzees you will enjoy sights of them playing on the tree and according to rules and regulations of chimpanzee tracking you are given only 1 hour to be in presence of these chimpanzees.
Bird watching
The Gorge is full of birdlife, the gorge is a home to a wide range of bird species which reside in riverine and tropical forests which dominate the gorge, because of the presence of these birds birding watching experience is possible in the gorge. Birding watching in Kyambura is done on foot and as you walk through the forests with guidance of an experienced birder guide you get to enjoy sights of many bird species such as African Finfoot, blue headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African skimmer, lesser and greater flamingoes, Chapin’s flycatcher, white tailed lark, corncrake, pink backed pelican, verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eater, papyrus gonolek, African broadbill, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler, white-winged warbler and many more.
Nature walks
Nature walks safaris is the best way of touring the gorge, a stroll in the gorge will unveil to you a new paradise full of adventurous sights which will leave you fascinated and offer an opportunity for amazing photographs. The gorge consists of numerous trails which are used on nature walks and on this experience you get to enjoy sights of various tree species, flowering plants, primates such as white and black colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons and vervet monkeys and birds such as , blue-headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African skimmer, lesser and greater flamingoes, Chapin’s flycatcher, white tailed lark, corncrake, pink backed pelican, verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eater.
Where to stay in Kyambura gorge
The Gorge is dotted with beautifully established accommodation establishments, these establishments are devoted to offering a home to tourists visiting the gorge for a safari experience. These include Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Engazi hold up, Katara Lodge, Emin Pasha Lodge and many others which found in the great Queen Elizabeth national park.
How to access Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge lies in a distance of 410 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda and it is accessed by both road and air means of transport, by road routes such as Kampala – Fort portal via Mbarara route can be used on a drive of about 6 hours. By air chartered flights are offered from Kajjansi airstrip and Entebbe international airport to Mweya airstrip, from Mweya airstrip it is a drive of 6 minutes to the gorge.
