The valley of Apes “Kyambura Gorge.”
Often referred to as the valley of Apes by many visitors, Kyambura Gorge is a breathtaking feature located in the extreme eastern corner of the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.
The Kyambura Gorge is located 30 kilometers from Queen Elizabeth National Park‘s headquarters. It is 11 kilometers away and joins the stunning Kazinga Channel.
The Gorge is the longest ravine in all of East Africa and is known to be home to primates.
It is surrounded by savannah above and tropical rain forests in the valley, which creates a whole other world within Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kyambura Gorge attractions
The Gorge
One of Uganda’s most striking panoramas is the gorge, which is 100 meters deep and 1 kilometer wide at its widest point along the Kichwamba escarpment.
Also known as Chambura Gorge, it is home to a diverse range of species, including primates, tropical underground forests, and tree canopies.
The Kyambura River flows through the gorge, giving it its name.
The Kyambura River’s thunderous rush created the valley’s high sides.
Primate species include chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and other birds that can be found in the riverine forests that shield the Kyambura River.
Primates
Primates, the gorge’s main attractions, thrive in the thickly forested area of Kyambura Gorge, which is primarily composed of tropical and riverine forest trees.
The only location in Queen Elizabeth National Park where habituated chimpanzees can be found is Kyambura Gorge, which is well-known for chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons are examples of primates.
Bird species
African Finfoot, blue-headed bee-eater, martial eagle, bar-tailed godwit, black-rumped buttonquail, African skimmer, lesser and greater flamingos, Chapin’s flycatcher, white-tailed lark, corncrake, pink-backed pelican, African broadbill, papyrus canary, and white-winged warbler are among the forest and avian bird species that call Kyambura Gorge home.
Activities in the Gorge of Kyambura
Tracking chimpanzees
Since Kyambura Gorge is the only location in Queen Elizabeth National Park where habituated chimps can be found, chimpanzee tracking is the highlight of the safari experience there.
Reservations are made at the Mweya Visitor Information Center to take part in chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge forests.
The experience starts early in the morning with a briefing where you are read the rules and regulations to be followed before you venture into the forests to look for the chimpanzees.
Although the chimpanzees in Kyambura are habituated, meaning they are accustomed to human presence, you can see other primates such olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and white and black colobus monkeys playing on trees, birds and sights of many flowering plants.
According to the guidelines for chimpanzee tracking, you are only allowed to spend an hour with the incredible primates. Once you locate them, you will be able to watch them play on the tree.
Observing bird’s
Bird watching is possible in the valley due to the presence of a variety of bird species that live in the riverine and tropical woods that make up the gorge.
With the help of an experienced birder guide, you can walk through the forests and see a variety of bird species, including the African Finfoot, blue-headed bee-eater, martial eagle, white-tailed lark, corncrake, pink-backed pelican, verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eater and many more.
Nature hikes
The ideal method to explore the gorge is with a nature walk safari; a trip down the gorge will reveal a new paradise full of daring vistas that will captivate you and provide opportunities for breathtaking photos.
A variety of tree species, flowering plants, primates, including black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys, and birds, including blue-headed bee-eaters, Martial Eagles, Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African skimmers, lesser and greater flamingos, Chapin’s flycatcher, white-tailed larks, corncrake, pink-backed pelicans, verreaux’s eagle owl, and black bee-eaters, can be seen on the gorge’s many trails used for nature walks.
Accommodations in Kyambura Gorge.
There are many well-known lodging options in the gorge that are committed to providing a place to stay for visitors going on safari.
Among these are Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Engazi Hold Up, Katara Lodge, Emin Pasha Lodge, and numerous others that range in price from luxurious to affordable.
How to go to Kyambura Gorge
The Kyambura Gorge is located 410 kilometers from Uganda’s capital city and is reachable by road and air.
Road options, such the Mbarara road from Kampala to Fort Portal, can be used for a about six-hour travel.
From Kajjansi Airport and Entebbe International Airport, there are air-chartered flights to Mweya Airport; it takes six minutes to drive there from Mweya Airport.
Book and plan your safari to kyambura gorge.
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