Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge Queen Elizabeth N.P ; Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity which involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzee families. Kymabura gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest protected area in Uganda after Murchison falls national park. Queen Elizabeth national park is famously known for harboring the tree climbing lions which are found in Ishasha sector, other animals like buffaloes, leopards, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs, warthogs, giant forest hogs, hippos, topi, primates like chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and over 600 bird species. Apart from Kyambura gorge, chimpanzee trekking is done in other destinations like Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Kalinzu forest in Bushenyi.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking is an adventurous activity in Kyambura gorge which starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the gorge which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, spot some bird species, butterflies, bats among others and once the chimpanzees are located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, hunt, mate, rest, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge is a card or document that is issued to any visitor above the age of 12 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family and spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their environment. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge costs 50 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 40 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens which is much less compared to a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park which costs 200 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 150 USD per person for foreign residents and 150,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. Rates of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge include guide fee and exclude park entrance fees.
How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices or park offices via email or telephone calls. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Wildlife safari Uganda whereby you will contact us with the dates, month and year when you wish to trek the chimpanzees. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permit on your behalf. Booking a chimpanzee trekking permit through a tour operator is the best option to use in that we will not only purchase the permits on your behalf but also plan for your entire safari which involves transportation, accommodation and other activities to engage in after chimpanzee trekking experience.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season access roads to Kyambura gorge and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable due to less rainfall which makes trekking easy compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make chimpanzee trekking difficult.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
Queen Elizabeth national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari including Buffalo safari lodge, Elephant plains lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Kikorongo safari lodge, Engiri game lodge and campsite, Kazinga channel view resort, Elephant hab lodge, Pumba safari cottages, Queen Elizabeth bush lodge, Parkview safari lodge, Marafiki safari lodge, Kasenyi safari camp, Irungu forest safari lodge, Engagzi lodge, Simba safari camp, Queen Elizabeth safari camp, Tembo safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge, Katara lodge, Kyambura tented camp, King Fisher lodge, Ihamba safari lodge among others.
How to get to Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park
Kyambura gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by both road and air transport means. When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Mubende-Fort Portal or Masaka-Mbarara to Kyambura gorge which takes about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, you will book charter or scheduled flights with domestic airlines like Aero link Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport to Mweya or Kasese airstrip and then connect to Kyambura gorge by road.
Other activities in Kyambura gorge-Queen Elizabeth national park
Apart from chimpanzee trekking, there are other interesting activities that you can engage in during your safari in Queen Elizabeth including game drives where you will be able to view different animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, bird watching where you will be able to view variety of bird species, guided nature walk in Maramagambo forest, lion tracking experience, night game drive where you will be able to view nocturnal animals, community tours among others, Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge Queen Elizabeth N.P.
What to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
When going for your chimpanzee trekking activity in Kyambura gorge, there are items that you should pack or carry including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking boots, camera and extra batteries, bottled drinking water, a pair of binoculars, backpack, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket among others.
