August 29, 2023 | Bujo Safaris
Did you know that the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are just trapped? Yes, even though chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is only done in Kyambura. The chimpanzees are trapped and have nowhere to go. This is because the route they used to cross over to other parts of the forests was cut off by the locals who settled there and practiced deforestation.
The name’’ Kyambura’’ in the local language means lost. This was brought about by the two brothers who are said to have been living there before the gorge was formed. Kyambura Gorge was formed as a result of rift valley formation. One of the brothers had a dream that lots of floods had covered them up with all their properties and tried talking to the other to relocate but he refused. He left his brother behind and relocated only to hear that his brother and all his properties were swept by floods. He tried looking for him but failed to find him hence saying ‘’Kyambura’ ’meaning he has failed to find him. From that day the gorge was named Kyambura till day today.
Kyambura Gorge is an extension of Kyambura Game Reserve, part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese District, western part of Uganda. Kyambura Gorge connects straight to the Kazinga channel. The Gorge is dominated by dense and lush tropical forests making it a good and favorable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, stunning birds, and primate species. Interestingly enough, River Kyambura is the basic source of water for the gorge, plants and all the wildlife in the area get enough natural water. Famously known as the “Valley of Apes”, Kyambura gorge homes not very many primate species but the number of chimpanzees trapped in this comely valley is being habituated. Kyambura Gorge is the only spot that offers chimpanzee tracking services and activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The most outstanding attractions in Kyambura Gorge are the chimpanzees but apart from that there are also other attractions that you can see on and below.
Monkeys in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is home to chimpanzees and other primates such as monkeys that can be spotted along the trees in the gorge. Monkeys like vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and colobus monkeys can be seen in the gorge.
Birds in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge also happens to be a habitat for different bird species that you can see flying around the trees in the gorge making beautiful sounds. Birds like hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, and turacos.
Butterflies and tree species in Kyambura Gorge
Different butterflies with beautiful colors and unique designs can be sighted in the gorge and also since the gorge is made up of a forest, expect to encounter different tree species as you trek chimpanzees.
Forest Nature Walks: Guided nature walks along and through Kyambura Gorge are one of the tourist activities in the gorge and give such a lifetime memorable experience. The coolness down in this comely valley blended with stunning canopies of tropical rainforest tall trees while the surroundings expose you to hot Savannah sparks the curious attention of many.
With the proper professional guidance of the game rangers and tour guides, Guests are led through the valley for nature walks while receiving informative knowledge of the gorge including its history and formation. Visitors are always divided into two groups of 4 visitors per group for two sessions a day. The morning nature walk session kicks off at exactly 8:00 am while the Afternoon session comes at 2:00 pm.
Bird, primates, and wildlife watching: Due to the presence of thick lush canopies and tall trees, visitors can expect to have the birding experience in the gorge. This lush vegetation shelters delicious fruits and insects keeping the birds trapped in this valley. Some of the bird species in the gorge include African skimmers and fin feet, Martial eagles, Chapin’s flycatcher, and shoe storks to mention but a few. Deep in the valley is a wide range of mammal species including lions, buffaloes, leopards, and hippopotamuses to mention but a few. There are also a variety of beautiful primates aside from the common chimpanzees in the gorge including baboons and monkeys.
Chimpanzee trekking in the gorge requires extra fitness for the guests simply because it involves descending the valley and then hiking the steep slopes back and it is very rewarding at the same time. Tracking chimpanzees down in the gorge is one of the most satisfying tourist activities on a Uganda safari. Visitors get to learn a lot about these most intelligent of all primate species, how they build nests up in the trees for rest, their feeding habits and love for fruits, and how they prey on other small primates for food is such an eye-catching moment and unforgettable one.
The briefing is being carried out in the early hours of the morning in preparation for the fun activity before kicking off the first session at 8:00 am. The remaining sessions are in the afternoon and they are only two sessions per day. Each session consists of 8 visitors and they must possess a legal chimpanzee trekking permit. While on this interesting activity, visitors can also have an opportunity to see a variety of beautiful wildlife species, insects, and bird species in the gorge.
The easiest way to locate the chimpanzees is by tracking their footprints stamped in the mud especially when they are quiet. The entire chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge takes about two to three hours of an amazing experience looking for these amazing creatures. Approximately 16 chimpanzee trekking permits in Kyambura Gorge are produced daily for about USD 50 per person.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge can be done or is open throughout the whole year. But the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is during the dry season around June to October and December to March. This is because the trails in the gorge will be dry and more accessible than when they are wet and muddy.
Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are done during the morning hours. This is because the chimpanzees are more active during this time of the day. During the morning time, the chimpanzees gather or pick fruits, playing around, swinging, to mention a few.
Chimpanzees are tracked in Kyambura Gorge following many tracks that they leave behind. Tracks like leftover fruits, broken tree branches, dung, foot and knuckle, and sound. These are the things that game rangers and guides use to identify the location of these gentle giants.
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