Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is one of the major activities done in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura section is a few kilometers from the park headquarters as you head to the Mbarara route, just after crossing the Kazinga channel. There are roughly 15 chimps left within the gorge area and since they are habituated, they are used to visitors’ presence. Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge goes for US$ 50 for non-resident foreigners and 30,000 shillings for Ugandans and East African residents.
Chimpanzee tracking involves visiting the gorge which may require hiking down to the valley and again back, this needs some physical fitness, however, it is an experience of its kind.
In addition to chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, one is able to do nature walks, which can make you be able to encounter various flora and fauna – hidden within the heart of the reserve. You can also see other primates such as the black and white colobus, red-tailed, and vervet monkeys, and baboons.
Don’t miss numerous bird species. These include the falcons along with the Shoebill, African Finfoot, blue-headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, White-winged Warbler, African Broadbill, and Papyrus Gonolek among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Queen Elizabeth National Park which is approximately 1,978 square kilometers (764 sq mi) is one of Uganda’s oldest parks formed officially, along with Murchison Falls National Park in 1952. It is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination found in the western region of Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The park was listed among the UNESCO world biosphere reserves, though it used to be called Lake Edward and Lake Gorge game reserve in the 1920s, before being gazetted.
Queen Elizabeth National Park extends from Lake George in the northeast to Lake Edward in the southwest. It also includes the famous Kazinga Channel that connects the two lakes, which has also favored a good number of aquatic wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, fish, and over 600 bird species commonly sighted at the Kasenyi birding site.
Besides Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda is a naturally endowed country. So, you can also enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, just a few kilometers away, or in Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park. Don’t miss out on the amazing lifetime encounter on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.