Kyambura Gorge

The magnificent gorge is made up of close-fitting tall trees that give it captivating views, streams of water and a roaring river that flows all the way down to Kazinga channel. The bustling gorge is a home to chimpanzees and other enchanting primates for example Vervet monkeys, L’hoest’s and the black and white colobus monkeys.

Kyambura Gorge is approximately 11 kilometers long and 100 meters deep covered with lush vegetation that often makes visitors overjoyed as they walk through.

History and formation of Kyambura Gorge.

The gorge was formed as a result of volcanic activity over a million years ago which resulted in the middle part of the land sinking and leaving behind a hole. Weathering processes further acted on the land which subsequently led to the growth of the thick forest cover due to the fertile soils. Afterwards, rainwater formed some passages through the forest that graduated into the present-day streams and river Kyambura.

Kyambura means “I couldn’t find it” in the local rukonjo language. This was because a lot of property and people used to get lost and never be heard from again in this forest. A legend has it that a long time ago, the river therein flooded massively and took people with their property and they weren’t seen again hence the name Kyambura

Location of the charming gorge.

The magnificent gorge is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the eastern province of Queen Elizabeth National Park along the western edges of the rift valley. The gorge is approximately 395.2 kilometers from Kampala which accounts for up to 7 hours and 40 minutes’ drive. The tree-crowded gorge can be accessed by road using the Kampala – Masaka Mbarara- Kasese highway and by air where a visitor can board from Kajjansi airstrip to Kasese airstrip and later be picked off by a driver with a four-wheel drive car and embark on the exciting adventure to the amicable gorge.

Uniqueness and attractions of the blissful Kyambura gorge.

The untroubled Kyambura Gorge is the only place where chimpanzee trekking is possible in Queen Elizabeth National Park since chimpanzees inhabit the place. This therefore offers visitors a chance to interact with these wonderful primates. The cordial gorge is home to over 80 habituated chimpanzees and primates such as golden monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys that can also be tracked along.

Ambient views of a forest within a valley further make the gorge distinctively attractive, especially to film makers and photography lovers who take nice shots with a background of the magnificent gorge. Such views are worth the effort.

Several other attractions such as cheerful butterflies, rare gigantic trees, and floral plants name them further make this place a magnificent one and attract visitors from all over the world to come and have preoccupied dreamy experiences in this wilderness.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge.

It is worth noting that all chimpanzees in this forest gorge are habituated so they can tolerate human presence in their contemporary habitat. This not only allows visitors the chance to observe the exciting primates but also spend a full uninterrupted hour interacting with them and learning more about them. Chimpanzee tracking permits in the dreamy gorge go for $50 per person per trek making it an affordable adventure for travelers looking for extraordinary experiences.

Other activities that can be done in the gorge.

A series of other activities can be done in this marvelous gorge and these include camping in the forest where visitors spend the night feeling the breeze and sounds of the forest which is kind of therapeutic.

Nature walks are also conducted in the forest which helps visitors to view the rivers and wildlife in the forest, butterfly watching is also possible which attracts storytellers, photographers and videographers from all corners of the globe.

Bird watching can also be supported in the area since there are gazetted spots to watch charming bird species such as malachite kingfishers, great blue turacos, secretary birds, cranes, marabou stocks, African fish eagles, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black bee eaters, cinnamons and egrets as they fly high in the forests and also drink water at the river therein. Kyambura Gorge is a hidden place in the wilderness of Queen Elizabeth National Park and it’s worth the effort.