Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

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Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

The Kyambura Gorge is a low-lying forest situated in the heart of the Rift valley in Queen Elizabeth national park, this magnificent forest sits amidst the savannah underneath the mountains of the moon commonly known as Rwenzori, and this exceptional forest is crossed by River Chambura which acts as a key asset for wildlife during the dry season

Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a pretty good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they are habituated.

The 16 km long and 100 meters wide gorge is not only famous for chimp trekking but it’s home to big game like hippos, elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, and abundant birdlife.

There is one trip that is dominating the gorge and it’s perhaps the second best place to see the chimpanzees in Uganda after Kibale, due to less competition for home range and food if you find the chimps in the gorge they can be amazing and fun to watch.

Chimpanzee trekking experience (1 hour with the chimps)

Currently Kyambura gorge offers only regular chimpanzee trekking where visitors will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees after locating them, there are two trekking sessions in the gorge which is the morning and afternoon this will allow up to two groups to trek in the morning, and two groups to trek in the afternoon.

Apart from April and November the rest of the year is perfect to trek chimpanzees in the Kyambura gorge however the driest months like July and December can be challenging due to the fact that there is limited food in the gorge hence the chimpanzees scatter across the forest and long treks may be required during this time of the year.

Visitors planning a trek to Kyambura gorge must ensure that they posse a Chimpanzee trekking permit which is acquired from the Uganda wildlife authority.