As you are heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kyambura gorge is one of the amazing places located along the way. This beautiful gorge hosts several hidden wonders. One of the adventures not to miss is tracking the fast moving apes in the natural gorge. Few uganda tour itineraries include chimpanzee tracking and hiking as some of the activities to enjoy while on a holiday in Uganda. You can plan a 4days+ Uganda safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park that features chimpanzee tracking in the gorge.
Why Visit Kyambura
On either side of the gorge which is part of the Western Rift Valley in Uganda, the sprawling savannah continues making Kyambura Gorge a must see while visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kyambura Gorge is one of the extraordinary places in Uganda. Credited for its scenery in the lost valley, which is also called Valley of the Apes, this is of the most spectacular places in Uganda. It is one of Uganda’s Natural wonders located in Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you enter the gorge, there is a great view point platform from which you can take some great pictures of the Kyambura gorge surrounded by the savannah and a rich tropical forest below with the Kyambura River flowing through it.
During the trip, you will hike through the forest and along the Kyambura River with a destination guide who is knowledgeable about the forest and the existing attractions. The guide will safely take you down the maze of trails of the Gorge, in the “Valley of the Apes” in search of the Chimpanzees that have been habituated. If you are looking to a primate safari, this is the ultimate place to be. There are other primates found in the forest such as Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Baboons, Giant Forest Hogs and other mammals.
In addition to other species of primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons as well as vervet monkeys. The Chimpanzee habituation process took close to 2 years and habituation simply meaning that these chimpanzees are familiar with humans and can carry on with their day to day activities in the presence of humans.
The steep slopes of the Kyambura Gorge, which actually was formed by the disorderly waters of the thunderous River Kyambura, are sheltered by a verdant riverine forest, which is habitat a diversity of primates among which are the renowned chimpanzees, the black & white Colobus monkeys, olive baboons as well as the red tailed monkeys, among many other species of primates.
When it comes to Birding Kyambura Gorge is a birder Paradise and Butterflies abound. Several birds can be seen during the nature walk in the forest. This green riverine forest offers shelter to several forest birds which include the Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Shoebill, African Skimmer, Lesser plus Greater Flamingo, Chapin’s Flycatcher, White-tailed Lark, Corncrake, Pinkbacked Pelican, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler, African Broadbill, Papyrus Gonolek and the Black Bee-eater are commonly seen.
How to Plan a Trip
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee tracking and habituation can be done in the Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu Forest. Reservations for chimpanzee tacking permits can be made at the Mweya Visitor Information Centre. This office also offers information on activities that can be done in the park.
This gorge can best be explored on foot so taking a nature walk guided by any of the well trained and highly knowledgeable tour guides will unveil to visitors the natural beauty of the gorge as well as the flora and fauna within the depths of the gorge.
You will actually be able to have a close experience of the remarkable wildlife within this area as you take on the very exciting chimpanzee trekking experience.
The chimpanzee tracking experience can actually be combined with any tourist activity within Queen Elizabeth National Park. Fortunately there are various nature walk trails within this area which are well maintained so basing on your fitness anything can be arranged for you so that you don’t miss out on this great wildlife.
Conclusion
With all of that, Kyambura Gorge is a great setting for chimpanzee tracking at the bottom of the Albertine Rift Valley. The natural setting of the Kyambura Gorge alone is worth a visit for chimpanzee tracking.
