Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking. Deep in the heart of western Uganda, where the wide golden savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park suddenly cracks open into a dramatic forested abyss, lies one of East Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife secrets. Kyambura Gorge — nicknamed the “Valley of Apes” and immortalized by the BBC as the “Lost Valley” — is a sunken underground rainforest unlike anything else on the continent. Its sheer 100-metre rock walls plunge from open grassland into dense jungle, mist, and the sound of echoing chimpanzee calls. For travelers who want to encounter wild chimpanzees in a truly unique setting, Kyambura Gorge is an experience that stands entirely in a category of its own.

At Kenlink Tours, we consider Kyambura Gorge one of Uganda’s most underrated safari gems, and it features prominently in several of our most popular Uganda safari packages. Here is everything you need to know to plan your chimpanzee tracking adventure here.

What Makes Kyambura Gorge So Special?

Kyambura Gorge sits on the eastern boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park, covering a reserve of 156 square kilometres, though the gorge itself spans just 11 kilometres in length. What makes it visually extraordinary is the landscape contrast — on one side, an endless flat savannah roamed by buffalo, lions, and Uganda kobs; on the other, the sudden drop into a primeval canyon of tall riverine trees, bog, and undergrowth. The Kyambura River flows along the floor of the gorge, threading through the forest and connecting eventually to the famous Kazinga Channel.

Chimpanzees share approximately 98.7% of human DNA, and observing them in a setting as theatrical and isolated as Kyambura Gorge adds a layer of emotion and drama to the experience that is hard to put into words. The resident chimpanzee community is made up of roughly 20 to 23 habituated individuals, including a dominant alpha male, led for many years by a chimp named Kihango. The Jane Goodall Institute, in partnership with conservation organisations, has played an important role in supporting the welfare and habituation of this community, ensuring they remain accessible to responsible eco-tourism.

Unlike the more heavily visited chimp tracking experience at Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura offers smaller group sizes — typically four visitors per session — and a more intimate, exploratory atmosphere. Sightings are estimated at around 80%, and those who do find the chimps often describe the encounter as the unexpected highlight of their entire Uganda safari.

The Chimpanzee Tracking Experience

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge takes place twice daily — at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm — and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which issues all permits. The morning session is generally preferred, as chimpanzees are most active and vocal in the early hours, moving through the canopy in search of fruit, leaves, and insects. The afternoon session can also yield excellent encounters, particularly for those who want a gentler start to the day.

Your experience begins with a briefing at the gorge rim, where your ranger guide will explain the safety rules, chimp behaviour, and what to expect during the descent. You will then make your way down the 200-metre escarpment and into the gorge floor, where the world transforms completely. The temperature drops, light filters through an unbroken canopy, and the sounds of the savannah above fade into the calls of birds, rustling primates, and flowing water.

Tracking the chimps involves following the sounds of their loud pant-hoot calls and observing the fresh signs of their movement — broken branches, half-eaten fruit, and fresh nests high in the trees. When you finally locate the group, you will observe them at close range for a set period, watching them groom one another, swing between branches, crack open nuts with rocks, or nurse their young. The sheer intelligence and social complexity of their behaviour is genuinely startling. Alongside the chimpanzees, you are also likely to encounter olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys sharing the gorge ecosystem.

The trek typically lasts two to three hours in total, and while it is not as physically demanding as gorilla trekking, the descent and ascent of the gorge requires a reasonable level of fitness, particularly on wet days when the path can be slippery.

Permit Costs and Booking

A chimpanzee tracking permit for Kyambura Gorge currently costs USD 50 per person for foreign non-residents, making it one of the most affordable primate tracking experiences in Uganda — significantly cheaper than the USD 150 permit at Kibale Forest National Park. East African citizens pay UGX 30,000. The permit includes a professional ranger guide and covers the nature walk through the gorge itself. Note that it does not include the Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fee, which is charged separately.

Permits can be booked directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or, more conveniently, through a licensed tour operator. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as daily spots are limited and sessions fill up quickly during the peak season months of June to September and December to February. You can explore our 3-Day Chimpanzee Tracking Safari or our broader Uganda Safaris page to find a package that includes your permit, transport, and accommodation all arranged on your behalf.

Sample Itinerary: 3-Day Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee and Queen Elizabeth Safari

Day 1 — Kampala / Entebbe Departure | Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart Kampala or Entebbe in the early morning with your Kenlink Tours driver guide. The journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes approximately five to six hours via the Mbarara highway, passing through rolling green hills, tea estates, and the famous Uganda Equator crossing point at Kayabwe — a great spot for a quick photo stop and a refreshment break. You will arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the early afternoon and check in to your lodge in the Mweya or Katunguru area. The afternoon is free for relaxation and to soak in your first views of the savannah landscape. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your lodge as hippos emerge from the Kazinga Channel below.

Overnight: Lodge near Mweya or Katunguru — options from budget to mid-range.

Day 2 — Morning Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge | Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early and drive to Kyambura Gorge for the 8:00 am briefing. Descend into the gorge with your armed ranger guide and spend the morning tracking the habituated chimpanzee community through the underground rainforest. After returning to the gorge rim, enjoy a packed lunch before heading to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise — one of Uganda’s finest wildlife experiences. The 40-kilometre channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward is lined with the highest concentration of hippos in Africa, along with crocodiles, buffalo, and an extraordinary diversity of waterbirds including African fish eagles, pelicans, and malachite kingfishers. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Lodge near Mweya — full board.

Day 3 — Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi | Afternoon Return to Kampala

Begin your final morning with a game drive through the Kasenyi plains, Queen Elizabeth National Park’s prime big-cat territory. This is your best opportunity to spot lions — the park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector to the south — as well as leopards, hyenas, and large herds of Uganda kob. After the game drive, enjoy brunch at your lodge before departing for Kampala, arriving in the late evening.

What to Pack for Your Kyambura Trek

Wear long-sleeved, neutral-coloured clothing that blends with the forest environment. Lightweight waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are essential for the gorge descent. Bring insect repellent, a small daypack with snacks and water, a hat, and a quality camera — though you should be prepared for low light inside the gorge canopy. Flash photography is strictly prohibited near the chimpanzees.

Maintain a minimum distance of eight metres from the chimps at all times, keep your voice low, and never eat or drink in their presence. If you feel unwell on the day of the trek, inform your guide immediately — chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human respiratory infections. The Uganda Wildlife Authority enforces these rules strictly and for excellent reason.

Combine Kyambura with a Gorilla Safari

One of the greatest advantages of Kyambura Gorge’s location is how naturally it combines with other iconic Ugandan experiences. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda’s premier gorilla trekking destination, is only a few hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park through the stunning Ishasha sector. This makes a combined chimp and gorilla safari incredibly practical and deeply rewarding. Our 7-Day Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari and 3-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari packages are ideal starting points, or you can extend your adventure into a gorilla trek with our 3-Day Uganda Gorillas Safari. To learn more about Uganda as a destination, visit our About Uganda page or explore the official Visit Uganda tourism portal.

Kyambura Gorge is not a place that makes it onto every tourist itinerary — and that is precisely what makes it so special. Those who discover it tend to agree: it is one of the most atmospheric, intimate, and genuinely surprising wildlife encounters Uganda has to offer. Contact the Kenlink Tours team today to start planning your Kyambura chimpanzee tracking adventure.