Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge | Premium Africa Safaris

Kyambura Gorge is one of the best destinations in Uganda where you can experience an exceptional chimp trekking adventure. Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge introduces you to the jungle to see the wild chimpanzees in their habitats.

What makes chimpanzee trekking safaris in Kyambura Gorge unique is the fact that you get to immerse yourself in the lush rainforest and find the chimpanzee community in the natural environment. It is a rare experience from what you have perhaps had at the zoo.

What should you expect on Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is a rare wildlife experience. It allows you to have a close interaction with an already habituated community of chimpanzees.

The day trek with the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees begins with a briefing about rules and regulations (can be during the morning or afternoon session).

The orientation program that begins early also includes allocation of experienced guides at the Kyambura Gorge.

The normal trek with the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees can extend for at least 2-4 hours.

It also comes with one hour where you have a close interaction with chimpanzees, taking pictures, and appreciating the conservation efforts.

Chimpanzees can be observed while they play or bond with each other. In each community, there can be an alpha male that leads the rest of the members.

Where is Kyambura Gorge, Uganda?

Kyambura Gorge lies in the Eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s top-visited game viewing destination. Kyambura is mostly explored for chimpanzee encounters and also other primates or other species. Each community can comprise about 30 chimpanzees.

Within the Kyambura Gorge, there are also other primates to find. They include olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, plus vervet monkeys.

Kyambura Gorge is most famous as the ‘Valley of Apes” and features an exceptional 100-meter deep valley. Within the deep valley, there is a scenic rainforest where a diversity of species reside.

Cost/Prices of Chimpanzee Tracking Permits in Kyambura Gorge (2026)

As of 2026, the cost of the chimpanzee permits for Kyambura Gorge ranges from US Dollars 100 per person for non-residents, forest residents US Dollars 80 per person & East African citizens UGX 50,000.

About 8pax can embark on the trek during the morning or afternoon session. In total, 16 chimpanzee permits are available for tourists with a desire to be part of the chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

The Cost of Kyambura Gorge in 2027

Starting January 1, 2027, the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permits will cost US Dollars 200 per person. The foreign residents pay USD 150 per person, the rest of Africa US Dollars 100, and Ugandans UGX 50,000 per person.

When to go for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is possible to be organized at any time of the year. But the dry seasons/months provide excellent conditions for tourists to go about their guided trek with Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees.

The longest dry months to tailor your chimpanzee safaris in Kyambura Gorge run from June to September & shorter dry season falls in December up to February.

Whereas the dry season is the favorite period for trekking in Kyambura Gorge, visitors can also organize their safaris around the wet or off-peak months.

The wet or rainy/off-peak months in Kyambura Gorge begin from March to May and October to November. But what trekkers need to take note of is that the rainy months come with heavy rains, and the ground often becomes muddy or slippery.

The advantage of wet months is that there is abundant forage for chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge to depend on.

During the guided trek with chimpanzees, you can easily find them in the close area while they feed, unlike the dry months when they can be forced to move longer distances to find what to eat.

Beyond Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking

There is more than a chimpanzee trek to enjoy in and around the Kyambura Gorge. Additional adventures to enjoy include birding (bird watching), nature walks, game drives, boat cruises, and community visits.

Game drives

Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking experiences can be spiced with guided game drives. Kyambura Gorge lies within the stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park, a popular destination for tourists to find diverse savanna species. At Queen Elizabeth National Park, the focus is usually to explore the Kasenyi or Ishasha sectors on a game drive.

Game drive sessions available for tourists to appreciate on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

The expected sightings on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park include African lions, leopards, antelopes, and spotted hyenas. The park also provides refuge to wildlife such as buffalo, side-striped jackals, Uganda Kobs, and more.

A 4×4 safari car with a pop-up provides excellent game viewing opportunities to guests as they explore the Kasenyi, Mweya, and Ishasha sectors.

Boat cruise

Boat or launch cruise excursions offer exceptional wildlife interaction, particularly with the aquatic species. Get a chance to explore the wonders that reside around the Kazinga channel, a 32 km long natural channel.

The Kazinga channel boat cruise exposes you to the diversity of the aquatic animals, including hippos, the Nile crocodiles, birds, and freely roaming savanna mammals like elephants.

A round boat/launch cruise excursion can last for 2-3 hours with an expert present to explain to you every detail.

Birding

Birding tours along the Kyambura Gorge come with amazing sightings of birds, including forest and woodland species. The different species of birds that are hosted within the lush rainforest of Kyambura Gorge include papyrus gonoleks, blue-headed bee-eaters, white-winged warblers, gray-chinned sunbirds, African finfoot, white-backed vultures, verreaux’s eagle-owl, Chapin’s flycatchers, Great blue turacos, and martial eagle.

Accommodation

The accommodation options that you can consider for overnight stay in and around Kyambura Gorge exist as budget, midrange, and luxury. They include Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Bulbul Safari Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, and Park View Lodge.

Getting There for Chimpanzee Tracking

Access to the Kyambura Gorge for a Uganda safari is possible by road or air. Travel from Entebbe or Kampala via the Fort Portal city or Mbarara city route. The two routes come with an en route stopover at the Equator crossing points. Using air travel, your departure point can be Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi Airstrip and land at Kasese Airstrip. Pick up from Kasese Airfield and drive to your respective accommodation.

Last Thoughts about Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is a perfect addition to wildlife safari experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kyambura Gorge chimp trekking adventures can be incorporated with game drives or boat cruise tours in the Kasenyi and Kazinga channel respectively.

Plan and secure a chimpanzee tracking tour slot and begin your adventure in the lush rainforest in Kyambura Gorge. D

ue to its proximity to Bwindi, it is also possible to have a combined chimp & mountain gorilla trekking session. Book with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd your dream primate adventure in Kyambura Gorge & beyond.

Sample Itineraries

• 4 Days Queen & Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trek
• 5 Days Kyambura Gorge & Bwindi Gorilla Trekking