Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge Vs Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Comparing chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Nyungwe National Park. This is the hardest comparison which travelers get challenges in choosing the destination to do the chimpanzee trekking. The comparison is through the chimpanzee trekking experience in the destinations and how they differ. Kyambura Gorge is located in the southwestern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The gorge is within the Great Rift Valley. Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in northeastern Rwanda and is near the lake Kivu. It is a home to several primate species. Chimpanzees have one of the closest encounters with human beings sharing over 98% of their DNA. They are large primates and herbivores. Chimpanzees live in communities or groups of extended families of about 25 to 80 members.
Compare Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
The comparison of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Nyungwe Forest National Park is based on several factors and includes;
Trekking communities
In Kyambura Gorge, there are several communities that travelers encounter during their chimpanzee trekking in the gorge. There are about 35 habituated chimpanzees and travelers going to the chimpanzee trekking are supposed to gather at the ranger post in Kyambura. On the other hand, Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 3 communities that are situated around the park. The communities include Gisovu which is in the north of the park near Kibuye town, uwinka which is about 60 members found near the park headquarters, and the Cyamundongo which is within the Cyamundongo forest in the east of the park. While in Nyungwe Forest National Park, travelers who are to track the Cyamundongo and Uwinka community are supposed to meet at the Gisakura ranger post and those to track the Gisovu are supposed to move to the Gisovu near the Kibuye town.
Trekking time
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park starts at around 0430 hours with the briefing and at 0500 hours the trekking of the chimpanzee. The chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura gorge starts in the morning at 0800 hours to 1200 hours and the other session starts at 1400 hours to 1600 hours.
The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permits
While in the Kyambura gorge the chimpanzee trekking, the chimpanzee trekking permit costs about 100 dollars for foreign nonresidents, 80 dollars for foreign residents, and 50,000 for East African citizens.
The chimpanzee trekking permit excludes the entrance fee which is about 40 dollars for the foreign nonresidents, 30 dollars for the foreign residents, and 20000 Ugandan shillings for the East African residents. While in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, the chimpanzee trekking permits cost about 150 dollars for foreign nonresidents,75 dollars for foreign residents, and 25 dollars for East African citizens. The chimpanzee permits in the Nyungwe Forest National Park don’t come along with the park entrance fee and the park entrance fee varies they include 100 dollars for foreign nonresidents, 60 dollars for foreign residents, and 10 dollars for East African citizens.
Sessions of the chimpanzee trekking
In the Kyambura gorge, there are two sessions for the chimpanzee trekking and they include the morning sessions and the afternoon session and travelers have to choose which session is fit for them to track. Whereas in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, there is one session for the chimpanzee trekking which usually starts early in the morning at around 0430 hours.
Number of the chimpanzee trekking permits
Nyungwe Forest National Park has over 64 trekking permits which are available in the morning sessions only and travelers are supposed to book their permits from the Rwanda Development Board through a tour operators. Whereas Kyambura Gorge has over 16 permits which include 8 permits in the morning and 8 permits in the evening. Travelers should always book in time to ensure availability and the chimpanzee trekking permits are booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority either individually or using the local tour operators.
Why is chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge not so popular as that of the Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge is not as popular as that of the Nyungwe Forest National Park due to the following;
- Chances of seeing the chimpanzee are less compared to that of the Kibale National Park.
- The chimpanzees live in the gorge and this involves hiking which makes the trekking difficult.
- The experience takes less time compared to that of the Kibale and Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Also there are fewer chimpanzee species in the gorge.
- Chimpanzee trekking in the gorge is not promoted and marketed like that of the Kibale National Park.
What other activities do travelers engage in during a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park?
There are several other activities that travelers engage in while in the Nyungwe Forest National Park and these include;
Canopy walk
The canopy walk is another activity that travelers on their chimpanzee trekking safaris can engage in while in the park. The walk takes you 50 meters above the park’s mainland. The activity takes about 2 hours and the walk takes about 200 meters. Travelers about 6 to 16 years old, this is a suitable activity for them.
Birding
The park is home to over 250 bird species which are situated within the park. About 27 species are endemic and found only in this park. The birding in this park takes to site some of the Rift Valley species and they are situated around the park.
What are the other activities that travelers engage in during the chimpanzee trekking safaris to Kyambura Gorge?
The other activities that travelers engage in during the chimpanzee trekking safaris to Kyambura Gorge include;
Game drive or the game viewing
Game drives are done in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up that travelers use to view the wildlife. A game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park is done in the northern and southern sectors of the park. The game drive is done in the gazette trails of the park and the wildlife seen includes lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, kobs, and many others.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise in the Queen Elizabeth National Park is done in Katunguru and Mweya. Cruising on Lake Edward takes you through the wildlife around the lake and these include; hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and many others.
In conclusion, comparing chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park can be challenging, especially for first-timers. However, we hope that this article has helped you learn a few differences and similarities. One thing we can assure you is that planning a chimp-tracking tour in any of these destinations is such a rewarding experience.
