Chances of Spotting Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge

The chances of spotting Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park are about 70% and are guaranteed. As its name suggests, this valley of Apes hosts approximately 39 chimpanzee individuals. The trekking experience allows visitors to traverse the gorge’s steep terrain and dense vegetation to spend time in their presence.

Kyambura Gorge is strategically located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is the best habitat for these primates. The Gorge is drained by the River Kyambura, which is the main water source around this area. The Gorge is also a tropical rainforest that keeps its ground moist and also a water catchment area. These factors all combine to craft the best habitat for the chimpanzees to thrive and grow around the gorge.

Kyambura Gorge rainforest covers an area distance of 157 square kilometers, with an 8-kilometer river strip that crosses the from Kashoya-Kitomi forest reserve to Kazinga Channel through this gorge.

Kibale Forest National Park always takes the lion’s share as a top destination in Uganda. However, this does not rule out the fact that Kyambura Gorge is also an incredible chimpanzee trekking destination.

It is also worth noting that though Kyambura Gorge assures visitors of encountering chimpanzee primates while on a trekking adventure, the experience is not always a bed of roses. Trekking chimpanzees is an outdoor activity that demands a lot from a physical fitness perspective, and trekking gear.

Unlike other chimpanzee destinations in Uganda such as Kibale, Kalinzu, and Budongo; Kyambura Gorge has very steep walls that require physical fitness.

The walls of the gorge are on a cliff setting, thus rendering it steep to hike. However, this hike is worth the hustle of encountering these chimpanzees. Spending time with Chimpanzees outweighs the hustle of looking for them down in the gorge.

Chimps of Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park — Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee tracking

Where to Buy the Chimpanzee Trekking Permit for Kyambura Gorge?

Trekking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge requires one to have a permit as a Minimum Requirement. A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document that grants you access to chimpanzees in their natural environment.

The trekking activity is a much sought-after event that requires one to book earlier before the actual trekking date. This is because of the limited number of chimpanzee permits available daily. There are always 16 chimpanzee trekking permits daily, with 8 in the Morning and 8 in the Afternoon.

Visitors can contact a trusted and licensed local tour operator like Native Africa Tours who help book and purchase the trekking permits on your behalf. The company also checks for the available dates that suit well in your schedule. After confirming the dates for trekking, visitors can pay a booking fee of up to 30% of the actual price of the chimpanzee trekking permit. In a space of 3 months to the trekking date, visitors can complete the payment of the chimpanzee trekking permit to 100%. The tour operator sends a scanned copy of the permit to the visitor confirming the purchase.

Cost of a Chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Kyambura Gorge

The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit ranges with the nationality and citizenship status of the visitor. Kyambura Gorge offers a fascinating chimpanzee trekking adventure at a very cheap cost. The permits cost USD 100 for foreign non-residents, USD 80 for foreign residents, and Ugandan Shillings 50,000 for East African citizens.

The costs exclude the park entrance fees and other additional costs like car entrance fees. A large percentage of the paid money from the purchase of the permits goes to supporting conservation programs around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Part of this money goes to developing communities around the gorge as a way of giving back to these communities.

How to Reach Kyambura Gorge for Chimpanzee Trekking?

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park can accessed by both air and road transport.

By road, Kyambura Gorge can easily be reached using the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway. The gorge’s strategic location close to the main road helps in easing the driving distance.

The gorge can also be accessed by air transportation. Visitors will book chartered flight by Aerolink Flight Company from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi to Kasese Airstrip. Upon landing at the airstrip, visitors can thereafter connect to Kyambura Gorge by road for approximately 20-30 minutes.

What to Pack for Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge?

Carrying good trekking gear for chimpanzee trekking increases your chances of spotting these primates in their natural habitats. This is because the trekking gear is essential for a successful chimpanzee trek. The following are some of the trekking gear to carry.