Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge. Kyambura Gorge, located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, is an underground tropical forest about 100 meters deep and 1 km long. It extends from the Kyambura Game Reserve, which is part of the park, and is known for its lush tropical rainforest. This dense forest is home to various wildlife, including chimpanzees, birds, and mammals like elephants and hippopotamuses.
Surrounded by expansive savannah grasslands, the gorge remains cool due to its towering trees, in contrast to the sun-soaked plains around it. The nearby human plantations and villages add to the diversity of the landscape. River Kyambura, flowing through the center of the forest, is a vital water source for the wildlife and vegetation. The river’s water comes from the surrounding rocks and is replenished during the rainy season, ensuring the gorge remains a year-round haven for its inhabitants.
Kyambura Gorge, located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, connects to the Kazinga Channel through an expansive wetland. According to local legend, the name “Kyambura” originated from a tragic event. After a period of heavy rains that caused massive floods, many people and their properties were swept away. When the floods subsided, the survivors searched for their loved ones and belongings but returned empty-handed, lamenting with the word “Kyambura,” meaning “got lost” or “I couldn’t find it.” Due to the significant losses, the area and gorge became known as Kyambura.
From a scientific perspective, Kyambura Gorge is believed to have been formed through two main processes. One theory suggests that the continuous erosion from the once powerful River Kyambura carved out the valley, with the river’s force diminishing over time. Another, more widely accepted theory, attributes its formation to the East African Rift Valley’s development. During this period, compression forces created tension in the Earth’s crust, lifting some parts and forming a large valley. Secondary faulting occurred on the Rift Valley floor, resulting in the creation of additional valleys, including Kyambura Gorge.
Known as the “Valley of Apes,” Kyambura Gorge is home to a small, habituated community of chimpanzees and other primates. It is the only location within Queen Elizabeth National Park where tourists can track these chimpanzees, making it a unique and significant destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most exciting activities to do in Kyambura Gorge. As humans’ closest relatives, chimpanzees are highly intelligent primates, capable of walking on two legs, though they mostly use all four limbs. These social animals live in communities of 30 to 80 members, often breaking into smaller groups to feed separately before reuniting at night. Chimps build nests in trees using bent branches, creating comfortable resting spots for both afternoon naps and nighttime sleep. Their most active time of the day is in the morning when they forage for fruit, becoming more selective in the afternoon as they get full. Known for their intelligence, chimpanzees use stems to defend against enemies and to extract termites from their holes. While they primarily feed on fruits, chimps will also hunt small antelopes and other primates, organizing group hunts to chase, corner, and capture their prey.
Isolation and Conservation Efforts
For thousands of years, the chimps in Kyambura Gorge would cross to other forests like Katsyoha-Kitoma, Maramagambo, and Kalinzu to feed and mate. However, human deforestation and settlement destroyed the natural forest corridor, leaving the chimps trapped in the gorge. Crossing the open savannah poses a significant threat due to predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. Scientists fear that this isolation could lead to inbreeding, potentially causing genetic mutations and slow birth rates. In response, Volcanoes Safaris and the Uganda Wildlife Authority have planted over 6,000 trees along the former corridor, aiming to reconnect the chimps in Kyambura Gorge with other chimpanzee communities. This restoration effort will allow the chimps to interact with other clans, improving the gene pool and reducing the risks of inbreeding.
Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is available in two sessions—morning and afternoon. The adventure begins with a briefing at the Visitors Center near the gorge. To participate, visitors must acquire permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which are available at the park offices in Mweya. Only eight permits are issued per session, with a total of 16 permits available each day. After the briefing, visitors are provided with a walking stick and guided down the 200-meter slope into the gorge.
Chimpanzees are highly vocal, and their location can be tracked by following their distinct hoots and cries. If they are silent, guides use footprints and droppings to track their movements. Once located, visitors can observe them playing, mating, resting, or even engaging in minor skirmishes. The chimps in Kyambura Gorge often come down from the trees when they see visitors, offering an excellent opportunity for close-up photos. Beyond the chimpanzees, trekking through the gorge provides a chance to encounter a wide variety of biodiversity, including rare vegetation, tall tropical trees, and even occasional sightings of hippos and elephants. The entire trek takes between 2 to 3 hours.
Practical Information
A chimpanzee trekking permit for Kyambura Gorge costs $80. The minimum age for participation is 12 years. For comparison, visitors may also consider the 3-day Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Kibale National Park, which offers a different chimpanzee tracking experience.
What You Should Know About Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge offers a unique opportunity to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. All the chimpanzees in the gorge are habituated, meaning they are used to human presence, making tracking more enjoyable. The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kyambura Gorge is $50 for international visitors. Ugandans, East African nationals, and foreign residents pay 30,000 shillings. It is advisable to book permits in advance to avoid disappointment, as availability is limited.
Physical Demands of Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge can be physically demanding due to the terrain. The trek involves hiking up and down the valley and may require following the chimps for extended periods once inside the gorge. Participants should be physically fit to complete the activity without strain. Despite the challenges, the experience is highly rewarding for nature lovers. The underground forest in the gorge, with its incredible flora and fauna, provides a rare and unforgettable adventure. To participate in chimpanzee tracking, visitors must be at least 12 years old.
Chances of Seeing Chimpanzees
While chimp sightings in Kyambura Gorge are not guaranteed, most visitors do encounter them. The chimps sometimes move too far into the gorge, making it difficult to reach them in time. However, the success rate remains high, with only a few visitors missing out on the experience. For those interested in chimp tracking, you may also want to explore a 2-day tour of Queen Elizabeth National Park as part of your itinerary.
How to Access Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is located about 420 kilometers from Kampala via Mbarara town or 410 kilometers via Fort Portal. The drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes around six hours by road. For those who prefer a shorter journey, chartered flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Mweya Airstrip, which takes about an hour. From the airstrip, tourists can arrange private transportation to the Mweya Visitors Center, located 30 kilometers from Kyambura Gorge. The gorge itself has a small Visitors Center at Fig Tree Camp, right at the edge of the gorge.
Attractions in Kyambura Gorge
Primates and Wildlife Viewing:
Kyambura Gorge is home to more than just chimpanzees. Visitors can spot a variety of other primates, including baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and colobus monkeys. From the edge of the gorge or the surrounding savannah, visitors can observe these primates and many bird species. For those willing to descend into the valley, there are opportunities to encounter hippos, antelopes, and even elephants. Occasionally, larger predators like lions, hyenas, buffaloes, and leopards visit the gorge.
Nature Walks in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is a natural wonder, offering an extraordinary experience beyond the usual savannah wildlife sightings. The underground forest creates an entirely different environment, with cool, dense vegetation and unique wildlife. Guided nature walks are available, either alongside chimp tracking or as a standalone activity. Visitors may encounter forest creatures like large forest hogs, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and hippos. The walks provide insight into the valley’s history, its animals, and its birds.
Nature walks are offered in two sessions, with morning walks starting at 8:00 AM and afternoon walks beginning at 1:00 PM. Each session accommodates two groups of four individuals, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience.
Bird Watching in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is a birdwatcher’s paradise, attracting various bird species due to its tall trees and abundant food sources. Many birds live within the forest, while others visit from nearby savannahs and wetlands around Lake Albert and Lake George. Common species include the African broad bill, martial eagles, African finfoot, Verreaux’s eagle owl, African skimmers, black-headed bee-eaters, and the rare shoebill stork. Other notable species are the pink-backed pelican, Chapin’s flycatcher, papyrus gonolek, and flamingos, making the gorge an ideal destination for bird enthusiasts.
