Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park takes you to one of the most popular wildlife reserves in Uganda. There is so much to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park that it is almost impossible to see all the beauty that the park offers in one single visit. Deep inside the park is an 
underground tropical forest known as the Kyambura gorge. The gorge is 100 meters deep and 1km long – an extension of the Kyambura Game reserve which is now part of the wider Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Kyambura gorge is home to primates, birds, hippopotamus and elephants. The outside savanna receives a lot of sunshine but the gorge remains due to the surrounding tall trees that shield it from direct sunlight. The gorge also has a permanent river in the middle which attracts not only resident animals but also those from the park – especially during the long dry season. The river gets its water from the nearby rocks and during the rainy season. You might be find our article about chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda interesting. We also have a new article about chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest.
History and formation of the Kyambura Gorge
It is believed that many years ago, when people had just began to settle in the area, heavy rains and floods hit the area sweeping through the villages and taking along with it people and their properties. After the floods had subsided, the remaining locals went about looking for their loved ones. After searching for days, they returned empty handed saying “kyambura” meaning “it has got lost” or “I failed to find it”. Apart from this village tale from the locals, Kyambura Gorge is also known as the valley of apes due to the high number of primates and chimpanzees that are trapped in the lush green forest.
How was Kyambura Gorge formed? I mean scientifically. There are many explanations as to how gorges are formed worldwide. What is true in almost all occasions is that there is never one straight answer to explain gorge formation. In the case of Kyambura, it is believed that it was formed as a result of continuous soil erosion from the heavy waters of River Kyambura. As the erosion intensified, it left behind a valley which gradually grew into a vast underground forest. Another group relates the gorge’s formation to the formation of the East African Rift Valley. According to this school of thought, tension on the earth’s crust forced some parts of the earth to be lifted on either side hence creating a vast valley in between. There also those who believe that after the formation of the rift valley, secondary faulting resulted into the creation of other smaller valleys like the Kyambura Gorge.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Although marveling at the Kyambura Gorge, its underground forest and river are great attractions of their own, most tourists visit to track the 80 chimpanzees that call the gorge home. Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to humans (more than even gorillas). Chimps resemble and behave like humans in many ways. They can walk in two legs if they want to and for long distances. Like humans, chimps live in groups or communities that can consist of between 30 to 80 members – compare that to a typical African village setting. Chimpanzee build nests on top of trees but have to climb down every morning to enjoy fruits, leaves and shrubs. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees also eat meat. They have been frequently sited hunting small antelopes and smaller primates for meat.
Before the loss of the forest corridor connecting the Kyambura Gorge to Katsyoha-Kitoma, Maramagambo and Kalinzu forests, chimps would leave the gorge and move freely to these forests. They 
would often move to search for food, shelter and new mates. With human activity, deforestation and the fear of predators blocking their movements, the chimps are now trapped in the gorge. Although this makes it easy to spot them, there is growing fear among scientists that inbreeding may cause mutations or slower birth rates. The Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Volcanoes Safaris are trying to restore this ecosystem by planting over 6000 trees as a way of restoring the vegetation to allow the chimps move freely and interact with chimps from other clans.
How is chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth organized? Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is divided into two parts i.e. morning and afternoon sessions. A typical trekking day has 8 persons per session. In total only 16 people maximum per day. With such a limitation in number, tourists must obtain their trekking permits early enough from Mweya where the park offices are. Each chimpanzee trekking experience begins with a briefing session of all the trekkers in which the rangers explain the nature of the terrain with information about the chimps and what to expect. Once the briefing is complete, visitors are led down the forest to track the chimps. The chances of spotting the chimps is about 88 percent. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is special because it exposes visitors to the incredible biodiversity in the underground forest.
Chimps are very vocal and their location can be known by following the direction of their hoots and distant cries. In the event that their cries are not heard, one can follow their footprints along the forest floor or poop left by the troop as they move about. Once in sight, you can see them freely interacting with each other, playing, fighting or mating among other activities. As if instructed, chimps in Kyambura Gorge have a remarkable habit of getting down the trees each time they see visitors. Keep your camera close as it allows you to take great photos from a close range unlike in many other chimpanzee trekking forests. Trekkers should expect to see other small primates, other forest creatures like hippos bathing in the river down the valley. You may want to read about our 3 days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari package or the longer 5 days Queen Elizabeth tour. We also have an interesting article about the best places to track chimpanzees in Uganda.
Additional Information about Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
- Due to the presence of local communities close to the gorge, the chimpanzees in Kyambura are used to human presence.
- What is the cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kyambura? A Chimpanzee permit IN Kyambura Gorge will cost $50 for international visitors. Ugandans, East African nationals and foreign residents residing in the country pay 30,000 shillings each.
- In order to have the best experience tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, one needs to be physically and mentally fit. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge involves movements over a long distance on a rough terrain. You also need to climb down and up the underground forest. Once inside the gorge, it may take a while finding the chimps. This could train the body hence requiring one to prepare well before showing up for the activity.
- Only persons who are 12 years and above may track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. The age limit applied is to ensure that only those who are mature enough, enthusiastic about primates and ready to endure the physical/mental aspects of the activity take part.
Activities besides Chimpanzee Tracking at the Kyambura Gorge
Primates and other wildlife viewing: The gorge is vast hence attracting other mammals and small primates like the red tailed monkey, colobus and vervet monkeys. Baboons also enjoy the life of plenty at the gorge and will be seen on site. Birds and other forest creatures such as elephants, leopards, and buffaloes are all part of this wonderful underground forest.
Nature and Forest Walks: Nature and forest walks are not limited to Maramagambo forest. Kyambura gorge is surrounded by endless savanna grassland which can make for a very rewarding experience especially when done alongside chimpanzee tracking. If one is not interested in the outside savanna or chimps, they can be led down the valley for a special nature walk to see all that the forest has to offer in terms of biodiversity.
Bird watching: The Kyambura Gorge is considered a birders paradise and home to an amazing collection of species. The key species to look out for are flamingoes, shoebill storks, the African broad bill, Martial Eagles, falcons, African finfoot, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, African skimmers, and White-tailed Lark among others.
How long is the Journey from Kampala to Kyambura Gorge?
From Kampala to Kyambura, one will travel for about 420 kilometers via Mbarara town compared to the 410 kilometers through Fort Portal town. To avoid the long road trip, tourists may choose to book a chartered flight from Entebbe directly to Mweya airstrip which reduces the 6 hours’ journey to only one. Your tour company should them arrange to pick you up from Mweya airstrip and take you for registration at the Mweya Visitors Centre. After registration in Mweya, your tour company or hotel should arrange for transportation up to the starting point of the trek. It takes about 30 minutes of driving through murram road to reach the gorge. Expect to enjoy beautiful views of the savanna and wildlife before catching sight of the gorge.
Accommodation in Kyambura Gorge
The Kyambura Gorge Lodge is the only high quality lodge close to the Gorge but one can stay in the luxury lodges closer to Mweya, Kazinga Channel and the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you are targeting only Kyambura Gorge and its attractions, then Kyambura Gorge Lodge is highly recommended. The lodge has 8 high quality cottages that are built out of local materials. They are not too close to each other to ensure that visitors have the required privacy. All cottages have free Wi-Fi, high end showers, working tables, luxurious beds, televisions and a fireplace. There also a central lounge area and a restaurant serving cuisines from across the globe.
To maximize your enjoyment of your time at the lodge, use the raised platforms to spot the Kyambura gorge, the beautiful savanna and Mount Rwenzori from afar. Don’t forget to full utilize the giant swimming pool of the facility after tracking the chimps. Kyambura Game lodge provides healthy meals for residents and has gone ahead to invest in a private garden from which vegetables/fruits are grown. The lodge has been credited for initiating wildlife and environmental programs in the Kyambura Gorge area. In collaboration with government, they have helped grow trees in the former forest corridor to enable the chimps visit other forests in the park. The lodge has also helped reclaim degraded wetlands in the area. If you want to support the local communities indirectly, this is the lodge you want to stay in. After touring the gorge, the lodge will arrange for you to be taken to evaluate their projects and plant a tree.
