Chimpanzee Trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular savannah parks in Uganda, situated in the southwestern part of the country. The park is home to over 95 species of mammals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and hyenas, as well as more than 600 species of birds. It also hosts over 10 species of primates, including chimpanzees, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. For anyone travelling to Africa for a safari, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a must-visit destination. Chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be found in Maramagambo Forest and Kyambura Gorge. The chimpanzees in Maramagambo Forest are not habituated, but they can be spotted during nature walks. Chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is only permitted in Kyambura Gorge, which is approximately 11 kilometers long and 100 meters deep. The gorge features a lush forested landscape that contrasts with the surrounding savannah grassland, creating a unique habitat for chimpanzees. Apart from chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, the park offers other activities which include bird watching, kazinga channel boat cruise, game drives, experiential lion tracking, nature walk, and mongoose tracking.
Chimpanzee trekking Experience in Kyambura Gorge.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, is the second most popular destination for chimp trekking in Uganda, following Kibale National Park, which boasts the highest population of chimpanzees in the country. This activity is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which issues trekking permits. The trek can last about 2 to 5 hours or even a full day, depending on the movements of the chimpanzees in the forest.
Once you encounter these playful chimps, you will spend an hour observing them from a distance of about 7 meters. You’ll witness their feeding habits, mothers breastfeeding and cuddling their young ones, and playful interactions high up in the trees. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives on Earth, and you will notice many similarities in behavior.
In addition to the thrilling experience with the chimpanzees, trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers the opportunity to spot various bird species, including the blue-headed bee-eater, African finfoot, martial eagle, and African skimmer, as well as numerous primates such as white and black colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is a memorable experience that you won’t want to miss!
Chimpanzee Trekking Permits In Kyambura.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues chimpanzee trekking permits, which allow visitors to participate in chimpanzee trekking activities. The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura is as follows: $100 for non-foreign residents, $80 for foreign residents, and 50,000 UGX for East African Community (EAC) citizens excluding the park entrance fees.
You can obtain your trekking permit directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority by sending an email that includes the number of participants and your preferred trekking date. Alternatively, you can contact an authorized tour operator like Caracal Explorers by providing them with your trekking date and the number of participants to help check the availability of permits.
Best Time Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
Many travelers often ask about the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. The good news is that chimpanzee trekking can be done year-round. However, the ideal times to visit are during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and from December to February. During these months, there is little to no rainfall, resulting in dry trails that make it easier to navigate the forest. While it is still possible to go chimpanzee trekking from March to May and from October to November, these months typically experience heavy rainfall. This can lead to muddy trails and dense vegetation, making trekking more difficult. However, these rainy months may benefit budget travelers, as accommodations often provide discounts during this time.
Accessing the Park.
Visitors can reach Queen Elizabeth National Park in a single day by either flight or road transport. The drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which spans 398 kilometers, typically takes about 5 to 6 hours. There are two main routes for this journey. The first route begins in Kampala and passes through Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kasese. The second route also takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, starting in Kampala and traveling through Mubende and Fort Portal before reaching Kasese and the park. Both routes offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and various stopovers along the way. The duration of the trip can vary depending on the number of stops made and the types of roads taken.
