Kyambura chimpanzee permit price increased from $50 to $100

Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permit price increased from $50 to $100 per person per trek. Kyambura Gorge is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where chimpanzee trekking is carried out. The activity involves tracking around the forest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Although the Gorge has fewer chimpanzees than Kibale, it is also a good chimp trek destination. The Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes, is characterized by tropical rain forests that run for about 100 meters and are 1 kilometer long.

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A Chimpanzee trek permit is a document/card issued by UWA to all tourists above 12 years, allowing them access to the habituated chimpanzee communities in their natural habitat. The chimpanzee permit gives you an hour with the chimpanzees and also covers park ranger fees, an English-speaking guide, and park entry fees.

The cost of the chimpanzee trek permit in Kyambura Gorge has been increased from $50 to $100 for foreign non-residents, and the permit fee will be effective from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2026. Different stakeholders discussed the increase in the permit cost until they came up with the expenses that would help improve the park services and conservation of the chimpanzees.

The cost of the chimpanzee permit has also been increased for other tourist categories, and it is $40 to $80 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 to UGX 50,000 for East African citizens.

All permits purchased before 1st July will not be affected by the change, but the changes will affect reschedules and permits after 1st July 2024.

How to book chimp permits in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee permits in Kyambura Gorge can be purchased through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or a better option is to purchase the permit through a trusted tour operator. Contact us any time with details of the month, dates, and year when you wish to travel to Kyambura for chimpanzee trekking. We will then check for the availability of the permits on those exact dates, and after confirming, you will be informed. After that, you will be requested to make payments using the company's bank details. Once we confirm the payment, the permit purchase will be made, and a copy will be sent to you as proof of purchase.

What is the age limit for Chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority determined the chimpanzee trekking age limit in Uganda, and the age was changed from 15 years in 2023 to 12 years to include more people in the trekking process. Age verification is carried out before the permit purchase, and this is done using the details provided on your passport supplied during the booking process. The reason why the age limit was set is because the terrain can be hard to take on for young children. You will be tracking wildlife, although they are habituated, and children might not be able to control  

Their emotions and trekking take a lot of time, which children under 12 might be unable to handle.

How long does Chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge take?

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge can take 2 to 5 hours, depending on the chimpanzee's current location. Chimps are known to move from one place to the next in search of food and new nests, which is why the trekking time varies for the different trekkers. The time also goes because of the physical fitness of the trekkers, but all in all, once you get to the chimpanzees, all the time spent trekking through the forest is worth it.

The chimpanzee tracking experience

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge starts early morning with a briefing about what to expect during the trek and reminds you about the rules and regulations that must be followed when tracking chimpanzees. After the briefing, your guide will take you to the trailhead to start chimpanzee trekking after being separated into groups of 8. The trek can take 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzee communities you have been assigned to.

During the trek, you will also be able to spot other wildlife species, including black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, LHoest monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and grey-cheeked Mangabeys, among others.

When you locate the chimpanzees you have been assigned to, you have an hour with the chimps, observing their behavior as they feed, hunt, groom their young ones, breastfeed, and make their nests. You have one hour to take photos and record videos.

Chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations

Uganda Wildlife Authority came up with rules and regulations for chimpanzee trekking, which all tourists must follow. Below are the tracking rules to be followed, and you need to know them before tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge.

• You should always follow all the instructions given to you by the guides throughout the trek
• The minimum age for trekking chimps in Kyambura is 12 years; anyone below that age will not be allowed to trek chimpanzees.
• Do not eat and drink when with the chimpanzees.
• All travelers who are sick will not be permitted to trek with chimpanzees so that the primates are protected from human infections.
• Always keep a distance of 7 meters from the chimpanzees to limit human exposure to chimpanzee infections.
• You will not be allowed to smoke during the trek or with the chimpanzees.
• Always keep the natural habitat of the chimpanzees clean by taking any rubbish you came with out of the national park.
• No one will be allowed to track chimpanzees without a guide.
• Stay in groups throughout the trek and with the chimpanzees because other wildlife are in the national park.
• Never chase the chimpanzees in their habitat because they will, in turn, chase and attack you.
• Make sure that you avoid touching the chimpanzees at all costs.
• When you want to ease yourself, dig a hole 30cm deep, and after, cover it up well, including the tissue used.
• Minimize the noise made when with the chimpanzees. It has been proven that when you are silent, you get to observe more.
• When taking photos of the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, ensure that your flash is turned off at all times.

What to pack for a chimp trek in Kyambura Gorge

When planning a chimpanzee trek to Kyambura Gorge, there are essential items that you should pack for your safari, and these include the following:

• Refillable and foldable water bottle
• Hike boots (the hike boots should be light, ankle length, and waterproof).
• Camera with extra batteries, storage, lenses, camera bag, and a tripod. You cannot go chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura and not carry a camera, but make sure the flash is always turned off when taking photos of the chimps.
• Long-sleeved shirts for extra skin protection from scratches and insect bites.
• Garden gloves protect your hands from itching and scratching plants and hand blisters during the trekking exercise.
• Lightweight pants and these should be in neutral colors.
• Sunglasses: these protect from sun rays, especially during the dry season, but ensure you do not put them on when with the chimpanzees.
• Insect repellent to prevent bug bites. You will be trekking through the jungle, and there are many bugs you must avoid so that you do not get sick. Any type of insect repellent you can get is okay.
• Binoculars: A pair of binoculars will help you spot the far-off chimpanzees and other wildlife living within the Kyambura Gorge.
• A sunhat for protection from the sun
• Rain jacket or windbreaker. You should always carry a lightweight shawl or jacket to protect you when it rains and during the cold mornings. These should be carried even during the dry season due to the ever-changing weather in Uganda.
• Sweater for the cold
• Thick socks. These are used to keep you warm, and during the trek, trousers are tucked into the socks to prevent crawling insects from crawling up your trousers.
• Snacks, especially energy snacks. You will not be allowed to eat when next to the chimpanzees, but when you are 300 meters or more, guides can give you a break to eat and drink.
• A day backpack to carry all the things needed during the trek.
• Toiletries like toilet paper, soap, lotion, and wet wipes.
• A walking stick is necessary as it will help you by giving you support along the steep and slippery trek routes.

All you need to know about Chimp trekking in Kyambura

All the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are habituated, which means they are used to human presence. The chances of spotting the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge are not as high as in Kibale National Park, and this is because the chimps, in most cases, dive farther into the forest, making it hard to get to them on time. The hike through the Kyambura Gorge is not easy because you have to trek through the valley and some steep terrain.

Where to stay in Kyambura during a chimpanzee trek safari

Kyambura Gorge has several accommodation facilities ranging from basic, mid-range, and luxury accommodations, and these need to be booked in advance to get the best options. Some of the accommodation facilities you can use include the Tembo Safari Lodge, Elephant Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Irungi Forest Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Pumba safari Lodge and Mweya safari Lodge among others.

When to book a chimpanzee safari in Kyambura Gorge

The best time to book a chimpanzee trek safari in Kyambura Gorge is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. During this period, it is much easier to deal with the trek routes because they are dry and easy to use with little or no rainfall as compared to the wet months of March to May and October to November, when the routes are harder to use because of the rain, wet and muddy trek routes. However, you can still go for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura throughout the year.

Other activities carried out in Kyambura Gorge

Besides chimpanzee trekking, there are other activities that you can carry out in Kyambura Gorge. These include bird watching with species like Chapin flycatcher, white-tailed Lark, Martial Eagles, Verreauxs eagle owls, shoebill storks, pink-backed pelicans, and flamingos, among others, guided nature walks, primate walks, and you can also visit the tree climbing lions in Ishasha.

Getting to Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge can easily be accessed by either using road or air transport. The Gorge is located in the eastern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It can be accessed by driving from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara or Mubende Fort Portal road, which takes about 7 to 8 hours.

Kyambura Gorge can also be accessed by booking a chartered flight from Entebbe International Park or Kajjansi Airstrip to either Mweya Airstrip or Kasese Airstrip, from where you will be able to connect to Kyambura Gorge by road.

All in all, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is an incredible experience that allows you to meet the chimpanzees face to face with the primates in their natural habitat. You will be advised to book for the chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura Gorge at least six months before the trek date.

You can reach us through our website to help you plan a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kyambura and also help you purchase the chimpanzee tracking permit.

Contact us for more information.