Kyambura gorge is in the North-Eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park, roughly 30km from the headquarters of the park. A gorge is a deep cleft in the Earth’s surface and Kyambura’s is the longest in East Africa, watered by stream Kyambura that keeps the forest with plenty of food and water for wildlife. This is the best site for tracking chimpanzees, the interesting apes that share up to 98percent DNA with humans. They will be seen hoping from one tree to another during the treks.
WHAT TO SEE AT KYAMBURA GORGE
The Gorge
Named after Kyambura river which moves through the thick underground forest, Kyambura gorge is known for harboring chimpanzees some of which are habituated and can be followed in the guidance of a tour ranger.
Wildlife
The presence of water from the stream attracts lots of wildlife here. Thus making the gorge a habitat for them especially during the dry season. The most wildlife seen here are primates like the red-tailed monkeys, the vervet monkeys, baboons among others.
WHAT TO DO AT KYAMBURA GORGE
Chimpanzee tracking
The gorge is a popular spot of the park for primate populace and hence chimpanzee tracking. The visits to the gorge for this particular activity are twice daily at 0800hrs and 1400hrs, lasting two to three hours. Due to the chasm, visitors here may not be assured of seeing the chimpanzees but will surely hear them as they are habituated. There is more to the gorge than meets the eye truly as the visitors will notice the underground climatic rain timberland including vegetation sorts, winged animal distinguishing proof and nature and other primates other than chimps.
The chimp habituation experience, which involves a particular group registered at the park for this activity, is a full day chimp watching experience meant to get the chimps get used to the presence of humans as they go about their daily activities. It starts the day before, as camps are set up where the chimps set their nest, and the visitors are woken up early morning to have breakfast and watch the chimps get out of the nest to begin their day by nourishing, breastfeeding to the other activities they do during the day such as making love, resting all until they set their nest for the nights rest ta 1900hrs.
Nature walks
The demarcated passages meant for nature walks at the gorge also have wonderful spots for picnics. The walk lets the visitors see the beautiful birds chirp on trees. The charming butterflies with the striking colors. The interesting primates, all of which make the gorge, with its features, an ideal place for photography.
Birding
Among the many activities at the gorge is birding. Birds love to stay in areas with trees and food(fruits). Kyambura gorge has more to offer than what the birds can take, making it the absolute spot for birders. There are a variety of birds that will meet the eye, some common, others really rare.
WHERE TO STAY
Where to stay should be the least of your worries as it is a serene state with friendly people. That said, Queen Elizabeth National Park has plenty of accommodation services within and around it to cater for the visitors’ needs. Irrespective of whether you came as a family. As you would dread the thought of separation. Or if you came alone and would love to maintain that when it’s time to rest: Queen Elizabeth has you covered.
Some of the lodges at Kyambura include ;
Kyambura Gorge lodge
Enganzi Lodge
Emin Pasha lodge
All with well trained staff and rooms to make your stay there memorable
