Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve is one of the top tourist activities in the area with in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kyambura Game Reserve is one of the stunning natural beauties you will find in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura Game Reserve has a fascinating landscape like no other you have ever seen before and Kyambura Game Reserve is filled with a bio-diverse ecosystem that comprises of a tropical forest filled with primates that include the chimpanzees and other wildlife such as the birds.
Kyambura Game Reserve is regarded as a tremendous section of Queen Elizabeth National Park because it is home to the endangered chimpanzees. The chimpanzees found in these areas are habituated and they can be visited once you decide to tour Queen Elizabeth National Park. River Kyambura streams through the Kyambura gorge making it a favorable place for the wildlife to survive the dry seasons. The Kyambura Gorge is drained by River Kyambura, a river that connects to the Kazinga Channel in the western part of Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve
The most prominent tourist activity done in Kyambura Game Reserve is chimpanzee trekking. These endangered chimpanzees live in the tropic rain forest of the Kyambura Game Reserve and since most of them are habituated are used to visitors so they will just continue to do their daily activities and will not mind about the strangers that show up in their territories. Kyambura Game Reserve has over twenty-four chimpanzees and in July 2013 they were assigned to names reflecting on Uganda’s beauty.
Chimpanzee trekking is done in two sessions per day. Visitors can either take the morning or afternoon sessions. In the morning, visitors are briefed about the trekking activity and all this is done at the visitor’s center that is located near Kyambura Game Reserve. The chimpanzee permits are issued at Uganda Wildlife Authority offices and only 16 permits are issued every day. Additionally, the permits cost $50 USD for foreign residents and about 30,000 UGX for local residents and East African Citizens.
After the briefing is done, the Visitors travel to Kyambura Game Reserve and engage in slopping down the 200-meter slope up to the river down the river. Locating the Chimpanzees is easy since most of them make loud sounds while hooting and distant cries. As you approach the chimpanzees, they usually climb down the trees in the tropical forest and continue with their habits such as feeding playing around.
Things to note when trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve
- During chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve one needs to be twelve years old and above to trek the chimpanzees.
- You need to be with a chimpanzee permit to trek in Kyambura Game Reserve and if you don’t want disappointments, you need to book in advance.
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Game Reserve is so intense because it involves hiking and sloping the valley and this means the visitors have to be really fit and energetic to enjoy this experience
- During trekking, visitors will get to view other wildlife such as the hippos that you will find in the river.
- Hiking sticks are a must since you will get to move down the slopes and remember to carry insect repellants on your way
- Carry enough drinking water and snacks to keep you energetic and avoid eating next to the chimpanzees
Other attractions in Kyambura Game Reserve
Chimpanzee trekking may be the most activity done in Kyambura Game Reserve but the gorge has other attractions that are good for viewing and experiencing such as viewing other primates like the baboons, red tailed monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys.
Guided Natural walks: Kyambura Game Reserve is about one kilometer long making it accessible for natural walks under the canopy of the tropical forests. During these moments that is when you get to view other wildlife such as hippos that you will find spending all their day in the waters of River Kyambura.
Bird watching: Kyambura Game Reserve does not leave out the bird lovers since the tropical forest has a canopy that attracts a great number of birds that keep making pleasant sounds that are magical to listen to and watch. The spectacular forest provides a home to a number of birds such as the blue-headed Bee eater, falcon, flycatchers, and white napped pigeons among others.
Accessing Kyambura Game Reserve
Kyambura Game Reserve is located in the northeastern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park and you have to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park first by using either road or air transport because accessing Kyambura Game Reserve you have to be within the park and you have to get rides to Kyambura Game Reserve. The visitors’ center is found at the fig tree camp on the rim of Kyambura Gorge.
Accommodation
Since Kyambura Game Reserve is located inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitors need to get accommodation facilities that are next to Queen Elizabeth National Park and many of these are categorized under high end, mid-range and basic or budget accommodation facilities. Some of these include the following;
- Kazinga Channel View Resort: Kazinga Channel View Resort is located in the Katunguru area on the boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This budget resort features an overlook on Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. Some of the amenities include accommodation with singles, doubles, twin rooms and Banda rooms.
- Tembo Safari Lodge: Tembo safari lodge is located at the showers of Kazinga Channel making it a favorite spot for the visitors since it is very affordable and lies next to the channel giving you that panoramic view of the natural attractions around the lodge.
- Mweya Hostel and cottages: Formerly known as the Mweya Institute of Ecology, the hotel features non-self contained rooms, kitchen, restaurant, and canteen. The facility offers a swimming pool overlooking Kazinga channels that will give you a relaxing and magical experience when you are to stay at the hotel.
Other accommodation facilities you will find in the area include; River Ishasha Safari Camp, Pumba Safari Cottages, African Safaris, Simba Safari Camp, White House Hotel, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Enganzi Lodge, Park View Lodge, and Elephant Plains Lodge among others.
Conclusion
In general, visiting Kyambura Game Reserve for chimpanzee trekking is a remarkable experience that no visitor should miss on their Queen Elizabeth tours in Uganda. The place is filled with wonderful sceneries that will get you covered in terms of adventures and experiences of a lifetime.
