Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge, Queen Elizabeth national park; Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity in Kyambura Gorge that involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Kyambura Gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and it’s a home of different wildlife species including primate like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, animals like buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs and different bird species.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest in search of the chimpanzees which takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviours, habits, lifestyle, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Best time to go for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes chimpanzee trekking easy.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge can also be done in the rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period the chimpanzees will be easily located due to plenty of food and some lodge offer discounts to attract tourists which favours budget travellers.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge cost 50 USD per person for foreign non residents, 40 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge were however increased to 100 USD per person for foreign non residents, 80 USD per person for foreign residents and 50,000 UGX per person for East African citizens effective 1st/July/2024.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge?
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura gorge can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda Tours where you will reach out to us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit chimpanzees. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once the payment is done, we will be able to acquire the chimpanzee trekking permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
How to get to Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Mubende, Fort Portal or Masaka, Mbarara and then to Kyambura gorge which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive.
Kyambura gorge can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kasese or Mweya airstrips and then connect to Kyambura gorge by road.
You can as well access Kyambura gorge from Lake Mburo national park which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge
There are a number of accommodation near Kyambura gorge where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Pumba Safari Cottages, Elephant Hab Lodge, Songbird Safari Lodge and Campsite, Aardvark Safari Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Lake Retreat Lodge and Campsite, Enshama Game Lodge and Campsite, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge and Campsite, Parkview Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kikorongo Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Simba safari camp among others.
What to pack for chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge?
There are several items that you should pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking boots, insect repellent, long socks, waterproof rain jacket, camera and extra batteries, warm sweater, energy snacks and drinking water, walking stick, garden gloves, a hat and sunglasses, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others.
Apart from Chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth national park offers other interesting activities that you can engage in during the safari including game drives in Kasenyi or Ishasha sector, bird watching, guided nature walks in Maramagambo forest, lion tracking experience in Kasenyi plains, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, cultural tour among others.
Chimpanzee trekking is an amazing activity in Kyambura gorge that can be combined with sport fishing, boat cruise, game drives, horseback riding, guided nature walks among others in Lake Mburo national park. for more information about chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura gorge, do not hesitate to contact us at Explore Rwanda Tours or visit our website for affordable safari packages.
