Uganda has introduced $200 as a new price for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. This is for only foreign nonresidents per person. Foreign residents have a much lower price, of $150 per person. These have been increased from $100 and $80 for Foreign nonresidents and foreign residents respectively. Visitors from the Rest of Africa can track these primates for only $100 per person. Lastly, Ugandans and any citizen from within the East African Community pays only 50,000 shillings. The latter rates have remained the same.
When to Pay the New Price?
This change starts on January 1, 2027 to allow tour operators like us make some adjustments in booking. Also, remember so many of us have reservations and tour packages that have existed for months or years. Therefore, if this new price for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is enforced now, it might lead to disruptions. However, the sufficient time until January 1, 2027 allows us to make updates on prices on our websites. Visitors were also considered because they can adjust their travel budgets before this new price starts.
How much is entrance fee?
The new price for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, like the current one, covers a nature walk and ranger guides. This fee ensures that you acquire a permit that authorizes you to do the activity. Acquire this document from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through us. Advanced booking or purchase is the best way of doing this to avoid inconveniences. Nevertheless, entrance fee is paid for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Foreign nonresidents pay $40, while Foreign residents and East African Community citizens pay $30 and 20,000 shillings per person respectively.
What is Chimpanzee Tracking?
Chimpanzee tracking is basically hiking through the natural homes of the chimps to locate a habituated troop. An experienced ranger guide is available to lead you though the chimpanzee trails. He/she shows you the signs of their location within the forest. This is because the chimpanzees tend to leave behind signs such as their dung, broken plants and footprints etc. Their loud voices especially hoots can also be heard from a distance to locate them. The ranger gives a time limit of an hour to stand near them and appreciate their behaviors.
How to Reach Kyambura Gorge?
Kyambura Gorge is situated in Queen Elizabeth National Park thus accessible by either road or air transport. Each of these modes of transportation provides travelers with unique experiences i.e. scenic views for road and aerial views by plane. On the ground, you can travel from Kampala or any other destination within Uganda. Kyambura Gorge is 387.3 kilometers from Kampala if you take the route through Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi and then Kasese. This is a road trip, that lasts for 7.5 to 8 hours on our 4X4 safari land cruiser.
We also have SUVs, safari vans, buses, sedans and others dedicated for such journeys. If this mode of transportation is not suitable for your travel preferences, then book a flight. Domestic flights exclusively by AeroLink Uganda offer luxury experiences and in shorter durations. For only 1 hour and 15 minutes, fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip. From here, reach Kyambura Gorge through Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance in a vehicle. Distance to reach Kyambura from Kasese airstrip is 46.7 kilometers.
When to Travel?
The new price for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge does not affect when you should travel. Literally, in Uganda traveling for this is done every day annually. However, while you plan to visit the destination, you need to know why the dry season is the best time. This period runs from June to August and December to February to offer drier chimpanzee trails. Walk comfortably without slipping for an unforgettable experience. The forest vegetation is also not dense thus chimpanzees are clearly visible while high up in the trees. But, if you prefer more challenging chimpanzee treks, visit in the wet season when the trails are so moist. A period such as this is good for fearless people who love thrilling tours.
About Kyambura Gorge?
Kyambura Gorge is a forested habitat within the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It resulted from secondary faulting at the time of the formation of the Albertine Rift Valley. Thereafter, the Kyambura River flooded it with water. Currently, the Kyambura Gorge has a depth of 100 meters, and length of 11 kilometers. At its broadest, the gorge is 1 kilometer. Also, Kyambura Gorge stretches all the way from the Kichwamba escarpments to Kazinga Channel.
So many species of wildlife have existed inside Kyambura Gorge since time immemorial. They are categorized into birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and others. The forest is better known for the chimpanzees, however, there are several mammals that find shelter here. These include vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys and olive baboons etc. Birds of Kyambura encompass African broadbills, blue-headed bee-eaters, papyrus gonoleks and African finfoots etc.
