Kyambura chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a mesmerizing excellent activity that takes place in Kyambura gorge. Descending into the gorge is a magical experience. But quietly following your guide, looking and listening for the sounds and signs of the chimpanzees is another life-changing experience.
Kyambura chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park normally commences in the early morning hours or in the afternoon time. This can last about 4 hours since chimpanzees are nomadic, meaning that they keep moving from one place to another.
During chimpanzee trekking, you’ll get a great opportunity to spot other wild animals, and different tree, butterfly, and bird species. If you are lucky to glimpse the early morning sunrise, you’ll see the shining plains which make this place even more special.
Overlooking the gorge at sunset while listening to the flushing running water, is also simply amazing.
Add to this experience hippos wallowing by the river and you have a perfect wildlife experience, one can’t find elsewhere in Uganda’s national parks.
More About Kyambura Chimpanzee Trekking
The setting at Kyambura gorge is amazingly fabulous and excellent. This is because it is found between the savanna plains, a river, and a rainforest in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda along, spanning Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri districts. The park is about 6 hour’s drive from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
Kyambura chimpanzee trekking should be added to your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, to make it more enjoyable with other activities. Other tourist activities in the close range include game viewing, a Kazinga channel launch boat trip, a nature walking safari, a hot air balloon safari, and bush breakfast among others.
For Kyambura chimpanzee trekking, one needs to obtain a chimpanzee permit which costs US$ 50 per person, per trek. You can get one on the day of trekking, though you need to book your accommodation earlier before the trekking day.
Best time for Kyambura Chimpanzee Trekking
Kyambura chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done throughout the year. However, the most convenient time is from June to August and mid-September, and then December to February. These are the driest months, therefore the best times to track chimpanzees in Uganda.
Walking the trails is easier at this time and the overall experience tends to be more enjoyable and fantastic.
Other Activities
Besides doing Kyambura chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are also other places and national parks where chimpanzee trekking can be done. Still in Queen Elizabeth is Kalinzu forest.
Kibale Forest National Park is well known as a home for chimpanzees. There are more than 1,000 apes found within the park, which makes it the best place in East Africa to track chimpanzees. There are also more than 12 other primate species and a variety of birdlife.
Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park is the second great place to view chimpanzees in Uganda. You can add Semuliki National Park to your bucket list too.
Kyambura Chimpanzee trekking is the second most wonderful experience one can have in the forests of Uganda, after a gorilla trekking safari.