Kyambura Gorge, also known as “Chambura” is famous among many as the Valley of Apes. It straddles along the Eastern fringes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda. The Gorge is a remarkable natural wonder of its own, which Uganda safari holidaymakers should consider a must-visit.
Kyambura Gorge features a breathtaking landscape, with a depth of about 10m which is also drained by River Kyambura. The Gorge and Kyambura Game Reserve form the extensive Queen Elizabeth National Park conservation area. The Gorge was created due to river which flows from Kichwamba Escarpments into Kazinga Channel in Katunguru.
Chambura Gorge is also home to diverse species of primates, birds and other mammal species. It shelters about 30 chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and baboons. There are also many bird species protected within the underground forest of Kyambura Gorge including white tailed lark, pink backed pelicans, flamingos, African skimmers, white napped pigeons, finfoot African bird, flycatchers and many bee-eaters.
Things to do in Kyambura Gorge.
Chimpanzee Tracking.
Chimpanzee Tracking is the main reason why holidaymakers confine in Kyambura Gorge. Treks are done only to the already habituated chimp communities and a total of 30 chimpanzees live within this beautiful gorge.
While searching for chimps, you won’t return filled with only magical encounter of chimpanzees but also other primates including black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons and vervet monkeys,. Chimp trekking permits are sold at US Dollars 50 per person and interested visitors are only eligible to purchase one if they are 15 years and above.
Bird watching.
Kyambura Gorge is one of the best places in Uganda where travelers can identify and enjoy sights and sounds of forest avifaunal species. Some of the significant bird species you should expect to come across include white tailed lark, blue headed bee-eaters, skimmers, pelicans, corncrakes, African broadbill, fin foot African birds and white napped pigeons.
When to visit Kyambura / Chambura Gorge?
Visiting Chambura / Kyambura Gorge in Uganda has no specific time. You can travel and enjoy chimpanzee tracking safari or bird watching here at any time of the year.
But of course the dry months / seasons are considerably the best to visit this lush Kyambura forest to enjoy your primate experience. In this case, the best dry months span from June, July, August, until mid – September and a short dry spell which starts mid – December to January until February.
Where to stay?
There are many lodging options to consider for overnight stay while on an adventure holiday in Kyambura Gorge. They include Katara Lodge, Park View safari Lodge, King Fisher lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Mazike Lodge and Kyambura gorge lodge for high end visitors.
All visitor categories are covered by the available accommodation choices here since there range from budget, mid-range and luxury options.
Access to Kyambura Gorge.
Chambura/Kyambura Gorge is in the Eastern Queen Elizabeth National Park, just a short distance from its head offices and 16kms from Lake George. You will need about 6 hours to drive to Kyambura/Chambura Gorge for a holiday.
There are 2 key routes that lead to Kyambura/Queen Elizabeth N/Park-one route takes visitors via Masaka-Mbarara to Bushenyi and this lets you make a stopover at Equator crossing/Mpambire Drum Makers or connect from Kampala via Mityana, Mubende-Fort Portal city through Kasese.
