Kyambura gorge is also known as the valley of apes with stunning features found in western Uganda in the east corner of Queen Elizabeth national park. The gorge is stationed at a 30km distance from Queen Elizabeth national park headquarters and adjoins the Kazinga channel. Kyambura gorge is a recognized home for primates and is the longest chasm in east Africa. The gorge is dominated by tropical rainforest and savannah

Attractions at Kyambura gorge

The gorge: Kyambura gorge is 1km across and 100 meters deep in the Kichwamba escarpments making it the most impressive landscape in Uganda. The gorge is also referred to as the valley of apes or Kyambura gorge which consists of a great ecosystem i.e. tree canopy with tropical rain forest and primates. The gorge derives its name from rive Kyambura from which the steep slopes of Kyambura which was formed as a result of the thunderous flow of the Kyambura river. Kyambura River is covered by riverine forests which are habitant to primates, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys among others.

Primates: Kyambura gorge is densely sheltered with both tropical and riverine forest trees; thick forest canopy is an habitant for primates which are the greatest attractions in Kyambura gorge. The gorge is known for chimpanzee trekking and it’s the same place in Queen Elizabeth national park you find habituated chimpanzees. The primates in the Kyambura gorge include chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys.

Birds: Kyambura gorge is home to so many bird species including avian species and forest bird species, the birds in Kyambura gorge include African finfoot, blue-headed bee-eater, marital eagle, black rumped buttonquail, marital eagle, bar-tailed godwit, African skimmer, flamingoes, black bee-eater, papyrus gonolek, African broadbill, papyrus canary, pink backed pelican, white-winged warbler among others.

Things to do in the Kyambura gorge

Chimpanzee trekking at the Gorge: This is the second most done activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking, Kyambura gorge is known for habituated chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth national park. To participate in chimpanzee trekking, you must get a chimpanzee tracking permit from Uganda wildlife authority or Mweya visitor information center.

Chimpanzee trekking begins in the morning hours at 6 with a briefing about what to do and what to expect. Chimpanzees are habituated in the gorge meaning they are used to humans but as you hike through the forest you get to see other primates such as red-tailed monkeys, blue colobus monkeys, olive baboons among others plying on the trees, you get to see different bird species as well as flowing plants.  When you find chimpanzees you have an hour to stay with them take pictures and record moments

Bird watching: Kyambura gorge is the habitat of many bird species which reside in riverine and tropical forests which dominate the gorge because of the presence of these birds, bird watching can be done possibly the gorge. Bird watching here is done on foot as you walk through the forest led by a birder guide as you get to enjoy sights of many bird species including blue-headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, African skimmer, Black bee-eater,  African finfoot, bar-tailed godwit, black rumped buttonquail, greater flamingoes, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler among others.

Nature walks in the  Gorge: Nature walks are the best way of touring Kyambura gorge, the walks in the gorge will expose you to adventurous sights where you can take photos and record moments. The gorge consists of many trails used for nature walks and on nature walks you get to see various tree species, primates such chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others birds i.e. blue-headed bee-eater, marital eagle, black rumped buttonquail, African skimmer, flamingoes, corncake, pink backed pelican among others.

How to access Kyambura gorge:

Kyambura gorge is 410 km away from Kampala city and can be accessed by both road means and air means of transport. By road, you can use Kampala- Fort portal via Mbarara route which can take you about 6 hours and by air you can use chattered flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Mweya airstrip where you get a car to the gorge taking you 6 minutes’ drive