Kyambura Game Reserve, which borders to the west of Kyambura Gorge, is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The game reserve lies in the southern part of the park, which is well known for chimpanzees as the major attractive element in the reserve. This is approximately 30 km away from the park and 156 sqkm in size.
More About Kyambura Game Reserve
The word ‘Kyambura’, pronounced ‘chambura’, is a local Runyankole word that means ‘got lost’. The naming of Kyambura gorge was a result of heavy rains that flooded the nearby areas. These could sometimes disappear with some members of the villages in the nearby areas. Later, some society members could try to follow up by searching for their colleagues but in vain. They would come back saying ‘kyambura’, which means ‘got lost’.
The gorge is believed to be 100m deep, and it is what is hiked as one goes for chimpanzee tracking in the gorge. This is always their feeding zone and is 156 sqkm in size.
Kyambura Game Reserve was formed to serve as a buffer zone to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dry seasons always left much of the park parched, but this beautiful gorge is a much-needed area within the park. It helps both animals seeking refreshment and humans, seeking a sight for weary eyes.
Water flows from the rocks and keeps the gorge green at all times. Rocks that seem to be in various states of tumbling stand out.
Wildlife in the Game Reserve
It is home to a variety of other wildlife, including primates like red-tailed, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys, baboons, and a variety of bird species. The park is also known for its variety of avian species including various falcons, the blue-headed bee-eater, and the African finfoot.
Kyambura gorge which is drained by river Kyambura is an important water source for many animals yet it is surrounded by savanna plains. This can be noted for its high concentration of primate life located in the gorge.
The gorge has the most incredible views in Uganda. There is also a great viewpoint platform from which you can take some great pictures of Kyambura Gorge. This is surrounded by the savannah and a rich tropical forest below.
The gorge is also known as the ‘Valley of the Apes’ due to the high concentration of primates. Roughly 15 chimpanzees have been counted be living in the gorge for over a decade.
Tourist Attractions at Kyambura Game Reserve
Chimpanzee tracking is the major activity done in the reserve. There are roughly 15 chimps left within the gorge area and since they are habituated, they are used to visitors’ presence. Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura goes in for US$ 50 for foreign non-residents and 30,000 shillings for a Ugandan.
The tracking involves visiting the gorge which may require hiking down to the valley and back again. This needs some physical fitness though it is an experience of its kind.
In addition, one is able to do nature walks, which can make you be able to encounter the flora and fauna hidden within the hearts of the reserve.
You will be able to see other primates such as the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed, vervet monkeys, and baboons. Don’t miss a variety of bird species such as the falcons along with the African Finfoot, blue-headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, and black-rumped Buttonquail among others.
There are three salty crater lakes, that attract a huge number of beautiful flamingos. These numbers are not seen elsewhere in Uganda.
Access to Kyambura Gorge
The route via Kampala – Mbarara – Bushenyi is 420 kilometers, while Kampala – Fort Portal – Kasese is 410 kilometers. There are also charter flights available from the Entebbe International Airport to Mweya airstrip in the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Flights usually take less than 60 minutes before getting there.
Using the road generally takes about six (6) hours from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
Visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park always complement their visit with a gorilla trekking safari in the nearby Bwindi Forest National Park or a chimpanzee trekking expedition in Kibale National Park. Others could opt for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls.