Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is in a forested canyon surrounded by the savanna plains but you have to slope most of the time. The Kyambura gorge which is about 100 meters deep is a result of the erosion of River Kyambura across the rift valley as it paved its way towards Kazinga channel that is the link between Lake Albert and Lake George. Kyambura forest stunningly looks like an underground or sun ken forest.
Queen Elizabeth National Park where the Kyambura Gorge lies is situated on the floor of the Albertine rift Valley overlooked by all year around glacier topped Rwenzori Ranges. Queen Elizabeth National Park stretches from crater dotted foot hills of Rwenzori ranges in the North, along the Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south.
A number of wild animals can be spotted in Queen Elizabeth National Park with the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector as some of the most outstanding. By taking a launch trip on Kazinga channel, you get the opportunity to see a variety of wild animals from the comfort of your boat.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is one of the highlight activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can visit a community of chimpanzees. The Kyambure forest was iniatially connected to other Major forest around Queen Elizabeth National park such as Maramagambo forest, Kalinzu forest but because of deforestation, this part was isolated with its inhabitants. The Kyambura gorge forms part of the buffer zones of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Two chimpanzee trekking sessionsfor Kyambura gorge happen each day that is morning and afternoon starting from the fig tree camp at 0800 hours and 1400 hours. To do chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, you need to have s permit for either of the sessions.
How Much Is The Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking Permit For Kyambura Gorge
The current cost of chimpanzee trekking permits for Kyambura gorge is $100 for foreign nonresidents, $80 for foreign resident and 50,000 shs for East Africans.
The cost of chimpanzee permits for Kyambura gorge includes one hour with the chimpanzee community, security, conservation support and more. At the moment about 12 chimpanzee permits for Kyambura Gorge are open to the public per day.
How to get to Kyambura gorge for Chimpanzee Trekking
The routes to Kyambura Gorge are liked to travelling to Queen Elizabeth National Park
From Kampala to Mbarara to Kasese-Fort Portal highway which is at a distance of 420 kilometers. The main highway close to the park to Kyambura gorge the distance is about 3 kilometers.
Alternative route from Kampala or Entebbe Via Fort Portal to Kasese and Queen Elizabeth National Park at a distance of 410 kilometers.
Air transport from Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya or Kasese airstrip on the daily scheduled flights is open to the public. Charter flight services from Entebbe or Kajjansi can be arranged too.
Do not forget to secure a transfer vehicle to your lodge.
Tips To Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park
Book Kyambura chimpanzee trekking permits in advance because they sell out earlier.
The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years and beyond so consider this while booking
Pack the right chimpanzee trekking gears because finding these chimpanzees is in the jungle which is rough at times yet you are not sure of what to find ion your way so be prepared.
Stay in good health on chimpanzee trekking day to because having a communicable infection may end in getting disqualified from this adventure because these primates are susceptible to human infections.
Have some level of fitness before the safari because getting to the location where the chimpanzee are requires hiking.
Attending briefing before the chimpanzee trekking adventure is compulsory because it is here that communication about the most current information about these primates is communicated.
Combine chimpanzee trekking with other safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National park to enjoy the most stunning spots of the park, enjoy your Uganda safari and beyond. Taking a game drive on the tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park, launch trip on Kazinga Channel, Birding as the parks has over 605 bird species and more.
What Accommodation To Book For Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge Of Queen Elizabeth National Park
The accommodations to use on chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge are those for Queen Elizabeth National Park. These accommodations are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.
Accommodations for Kyambura gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya safari Lodge, Jacana lodge, Kyambura Gorge lodge, Pumba Lodge, Elephant Plain Lodge, Simba safari Camp, Bush Lodge, Katara Lodge, UWA Bandas
Before reserving accommodation to use in and outside Queen Elizabeth National Park, take note of the inclusions and exclusions of the cost so that you can plan as required.
How Safe Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is safe but you must abide by the guidelines provided by this Uganda wildlife Authority.
On the trek to find the chimpanzees ensure you are in company of a ranger guide because the Kyambura forest is inhabited by other occupants that may hurt you in case you are lonely.
To get to Kyambura Gorge Canyon, you need to hike which may be quite challenging at times but having some level of fitness gets you to the location with less challenges.
Applying insect repellants to keep away possible sting insect that may cross your way. Wear long trousers to prevent your skin from getting into contact with stinging nettles.
Stay in a tight group when you locate the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge because the chimpanzees are very sensitive to intruders in their vicinity. Do not try provoking the chimpanzees because they can charge when provoked.
Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are first habituated for unknown time until proved ready to open to the public. The wild chimpanzees under go a process called habituation where they are helped to get accustomed to the presence of humans without altering there nature. This is why they can spend time with humans for at least an hour.
What To Expect During Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge
Hiking to find the mountain gorillas that spend most of the day closer to the gorge floor.
Expect to attend briefing with other tourists who join the adventure because this is compulsory for every one going for chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura includes walking in the dense jungle with some thick creepers that you have to walk under in some points.
Expect the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge to move freely in the forest and not stay stationed in one place because there no restriction rules for them in the jungle.
Chimpanzee trekking has rules which every tourists is expected to abide by as this is the safest way to protect these primates from charging because they have moods too.
On a rainy day, the slopes of Kyambura gorge may get quite slippery so expect to this when hiking to get to the chimpanzees.
The temperatures of Queen Elizabeth National Park sometimes get high because the park is situated very close to the equator.
How Long Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park
The time to take on chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kyambura gorge is about 30 minutes to 3 hours however you need some patience in case these primates move very far.
As you get into the forest to search for the chimpanzees with the ranger guide, he or she is not sure where their exact location for the day may be but to keep the vibe to see the chimpanzees burning, focus on seeing other residents.
Kyambura gorge is home to other primates including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and others. A multitude of birds can be spotted around Kyambura gorge including flamingos
When you locate the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, only one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure then allow them go about their day activities.
Is chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge worth the money and time
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is an opportunity to be a few meters from the closest humans relatives amongst the animals in their natural setting. Chimpanzees are some of the endangered primates in the world with currently a few destinations still having them living naturally.
From the money collected after purchasing the chimpanzee permits, a part of it is used to support the conservation of the chimpanzees including supporting research, purchasing necessary medication and more.
Through the annual profit sharing scheme, a part of the money collected from the sell of chimpanzee permits is shared with the communities around Queen Elizabeth national park to help them run their projects. This is one of the ways to support community sensitization.
Beyond chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, you can enjoy a number of other safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Activities To Do In Queen Elizabeth National Park Other Thank Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
By taking an early morning or late afternoon game drive on some of the tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park, like Kasenyi track, you get the chance to spot a number of animals with chances of spotting lions in action. Some wild animals you may spot in Queen Elizabeth National park include water bucks, leopards, herds of elephants, Uganda Kobs, cape buffaloes mongoose and more.
Queen Elizabeth National park has some of the best views of different features on the floor of the rift valley and its escarpments. A drive on the crater lakes area gives you stunning views of both wet and dry craters.
Forest walks In Maramagambo forest
A walk through Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth national park is an opportunity to see a variety of forest birds, the multitudes of bats in the bat cave, enjoy the stunning view of the blue copper lake and more.
Maramagambo forest is home to several primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more.
Launch trip on Kazinga channel
The shores of kazinga channel are the prime game watching spots of Queen Elizabeth National Park with chances of spotting a variety of animals that move down to quench thirst and some wallow in the mud.
A number of birds flock the shores of Kazinga channel including foreign migrants that fly from as far as Europe especially during the winter season. Watching the sun cast its golden rays on the surface of the channel is breathtaking.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
About 605 bird species have been recorded as residents of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga channel is a natural magnet for birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park for birds moving along the Albertine rift.
Some of the bird species you may spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park include African Jacana, Common Squacco Heron, Egyptian Geese, Yellow backed and lesser Masked Canary, African Mourning Dove, African Skimmer, Eagle Owl and more.
Visit to the crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth National Park
A tour of the crater lakes area gives you chance to spot about 23 beautiful crater lakes in this area driving on 27 kilometers crater drive. Some of the outstanding crater lakes on the floor of Queen Elizabeth National park include Lake Katwe the salt mining lake which is one of the ancient salt mining industries.
Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell like rotten eggs than can be noticed from a far, Blue copper Lake and more.
Guided safari walk in Queen Elizabeth National Park
With an escorting ranger guide explore the remote areas around the Mweya Peninsula and while waking you may spot wild animals that normally visit this area, enjoy the stunning environment of the parks and more.
Enjoy the view of the Rwenzori Ranges that stand as the backdrop of the park and on a clear day the glacier top of the mountain may be spotted. Mountain Rwenzori is also referred to as the mountains of the moon.
From the Mweya peninsular you get to see the Kazinga channel, the rift valley floor and more.