Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek Tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek Tours – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek Tours offer one of the most exciting primate experiences in Uganda. Located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge is the only area in the park where visitors can trek habituated chimpanzees during Uganda wildlife safaris.

Popularly known as the “Valley of Apes,” Kyambura Gorge is a spectacular underground tropical forest hidden beneath the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda. The dramatic gorge stretches approximately 1 kilometer wide at its broadest point and descends nearly 100 meters deep, creating one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Uganda.

The gorge is drained by the River Kyambura and hosts a rich ecosystem of tropical rainforest, wildlife, birds, and primates. The contrast between the open savannah above and the lush green forest below creates an unforgettable safari experience for travelers visiting Uganda.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking is the highlight activity in Kyambura Gorge. The habituated chimpanzees are accustomed to human presence after undergoing a habituation process that took nearly two years. This allows visitors to observe them closely in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee trekking sessions take place twice daily:

  • Morning Session
  • Afternoon Session

The adventure begins with a briefing at the visitor center near the gorge. Visitors must obtain chimpanzee trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Mweya before participating.

Only 8 permits are issued per session, making a total of 16 permits available each day. Early booking is therefore highly recommended.

After the briefing, experienced guides lead visitors down the steep slopes into the gorge. Trekking through the dense rainforest while listening to distant chimpanzee calls and hoots creates an exciting and immersive jungle experience.

Once the chimpanzees are located, visitors can spend time observing them feeding, grooming, resting, breastfeeding, communicating, and swinging through the forest canopy. Interestingly, chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge often descend from the trees when they notice visitors, providing excellent photography opportunities.

The trekking activity usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours.

 

Age Limit for Chimpanzee Trekking

The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is 12 years.

Wildlife and Primates in Kyambura Gorge

Besides chimpanzees, Kyambura Gorge supports a wide variety of wildlife species, including:

  • Red-tailed monkeys
  • Black-and-white colobus monkeys
  • Olive baboons
  • Vervet monkeys
  • Giant forest hogs
  • Hippos
  • Antelopes
  • Elephants

Predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and buffalo occasionally visit the gorge area as well.

Bird Watching in Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge is also a paradise for bird lovers and birdwatching safaris in Uganda. The riverine forest, crater lakes, wetlands, and savannah attract numerous bird species, including:

  • Shoebill
  • African Skimmer
  • Martial Eagle
  • Black-rumped Buttonquail
  • Chapin’s Flycatcher
  • Papyrus Gonolek
  • African Broadbill
  • White-winged Warbler
  • Greater Flamingo
  • Lesser Flamingo
  • Pink-backed Pelican
  • Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
  • Bar-tailed Godwit

The nearby crater lakes also attract large flocks of flamingos rarely seen elsewhere in Uganda.

Other Things to Do in Kyambura Gorge

Guided Nature Walks

Guided forest walks provide opportunities to explore the gorge on foot while spotting primates, forest wildlife, birds, and unique plant species.

Wildlife Viewing

Apart from primates, visitors may encounter elephants, buffalo, antelopes, hippos, and many other mammals while exploring the gorge and surrounding areas.

Bird Watching Safaris

The gorge offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities for both beginner and experienced birders visiting Uganda.

How to Access Kyambura Gorge

By Road

From Kampala via Mbarara:

  • Approximately 420 kilometers
  • About 6 hours’ drive

From Kampala via Fort Portal:

  • Approximately 410 kilometers

By Air

Domestic charter flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Mweya Airstrip near Queen Elizabeth National Park. The flight takes less than one hour.

Accommodation Around Kyambura Gorge

There are several accommodation options around Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park, ranging from luxury lodges to budget camps.

Popular lodges include:

  • Kyambura Gorge Lodge
  • Katara Lodge
  • Jacana Safari Lodge
  • Kingfisher Safari Resort

Book Your Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek Safari

Arrange and book your unforgettable chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura Gorge with Ultimate Wild Safaris.

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Mobile: +256 705 087 906 / +256 760 282 342

Experience the hidden underground rainforest of Kyambura Gorge and enjoy one of Uganda’s most unique chimpanzee trekking adventures in Queen Elizabeth National Park.