Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permits 

Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee permits are one of the easiest to get since they are not as expensive as permits in Kibale National Park. The permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, allowing tourists to have access to the habituated chimpanzees that are found in the Kyambura Gorge. The cost of the chimpanzee trek permit in Kyambura Gorge is as below

Foreign non-residents   $100

Foreign residents- $80

EAC citizens                   UGX 50,000.

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The cost of the permit in Kyambura was increased in July 2024 to help with the conservation of the chimpanzees, and below is a breakdown of what the cost covers and what it excludes.

The inclusions and exclusions of the permit: The cost covers security, conservation fees, guide and ranger fees, an hour with the habituated chimpanzees and outreach to the nearby communities. The permit excludes accommodation, transport, meals, park entrance fees, tips and other personal spending.

Booking and purchase of the Kyambura Gorge trek chimpanzee permits

The permits can be purchased through Encounter Africa Safaris, a registered and trusted tour company that has experience in organising chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Contact us with the desired trek dates, and we will check for the availability of the permits on the dates you have provided. When we confirm that the permits are available on the dates, a tour agent will reach out to you with the payment details, and we advise that you send in payments on time after the details have been sent. The agent will confirm that the payments have been made and will proceed to make the purchase of the permit on your behalf.

As proof of purchase, you will be sent a scanned copy of the permit, and when you get to the country, the guide will provide the original trekking permit. Note that during the purchase process, you have to provide the agent with the right information, starting with the name, passport number, and photo, because these details are used when issuing the permits.

The chimpanzee trek experience in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura is done in two sessions: the morning and afternoon sessions. The first session starts early in the morning, and the second session starts around 2:00 pm.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge starts with a briefing in the morning of the trek at the park headquarters from the guides and rangers about the dos and don'ts of chimpanzee trekking, and it is also when trekkers are divided into groups to ease trekking in the Kyambura Gorge. Immediately after the briefing, all trekkers with a guide head to the trailhead and start the search for the chimpanzees through the forest. The duration of the trek can only be determined by the location of the chimpanzees on the trek day, and this can range from 30 minutes to 4 hours or more. After locating the chimpanzees, you will have an hour with the chimpanzees observing their behaviours, taking photos and recording videos.

During your chimpanzee trek, you will be able to see other wildlife species, some of which include L’Hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and over 100 bird species.

Chimpanzee trekking rules in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzees have to be protected at all times, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority came up with the rules that trekkers have to follow when searching for the chimpanzees in the Gorge. The rules that trekkers have to follow include the following:

• The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is 12 years and above. The age is verified when you provide a copy of your passport
• Avoid leaving rubbish lying around as this negatively affects the chimpanzees. Make sure that you properly dispose of the rubbish in the designated areas.
• Avoid touching or getting close to the chimpanzees. This reduces the spread of infections from humans to the chimpanzees.
• Flash photography has been prohibited because it sometimes scares the chimpanzees, forcing them to retreat further into the forest. All trekkers are advised to use natural light when taking photos of the chimpanzees.
• Keep the recommended distance of 7 meters between you and the chimpanzees. This protects the chimpanzees from diseases and reduces the stress on the primates.
• Mimicking the chimpanzees has been prohibited because you might instigate the alpha male unknowingly.
• Every group has an hour with the chimpanzees.
• Feeding the chimpanzees is prohibited because it affects the natural order of the chimpanzees searching for their food.
• Bury all your human waste in 30cm holes so that the chimpanzees do not dig it up. With no toilets, all human waste has to be properly disposed of so as not to infect the chimpanzees.
• The size of the trekking group with chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge is limited to protect the chimpanzees. Large crowds can easily overwhelm the chimpanzees.
• Stick to the trekking group for self-protection from other wildlife that is found in the national park.
• Switch off your phones or turn them to silent mode to avoid unnecessary noise. And communicate with each other only when necessary, using low tones.
• Keep the environment clean by leaving the national park the way you found it, that is, not touching and spitting on the vegetation, and not destroying anything that you find in the park.

What can I bring for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is an experience that you will not forget, but you need to pack right to be able to enjoy your safari. The essentials that are needed for a chimpanzee safari in Kyambura Gorge include strong knee-length hike boots, long-sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colors, gardening gloves, waterproof rain jacket, waterproof backpack, socks, sweaters, ponchos, scarves, refillable water bottle, adjustable gaiters, snacks, cameras, flashlight, extra batteries, memory cards and lenses, and binoculars among others.

Cost of chimpanzee trek safaris in Kyambura Gorge

The cost of the chimpanzee trek safari in Kyambura Gorge is determined by several factors, including the cost of the trekking permit, the time spent on your safari, the size of the group of trekkers and the season you plan on trekking the chimpanzees in.

The size of the group: The more people in the chimpanzee trekking group, the less the cost of the safari on each individual because of sharing the costs of some services like transport and if you are travelling solo, the higher the cost of the safari.

Duration of the permit: The more time you spend on your safari, the higher the cost because all services provided are charged per day, and the fewer days spent on your safari, the lower the cost of your chimpanzee trek permit in Kyambura Gorge.

The season of travel/booking: Chimpanzee trekking in the peak/dry season is more expensive as service providers increase the cost of their services, unlike the low/rainy season, where service providers like accommodation offer discounts to tourists.

Additional activities: The more activities you combine with chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, the higher the cost of the safari because you have to pay for each of the activities added to the itinerary separately.

Other activities carried out in Kyambura Gorge

Apart from chimpanzee trekking, other activities are carried out in Kyambura Gorge, and these include:

Bird watching: Bird watching is one of the activities you can engage in when in Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is filled with different bird species, including the martial eagle, falcons, verreaux eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Cornrake, black-headed bee-eaters, African broadbill, white-tailed lark and papyrus canary, among others. The birds can be spotted on your guided nature walks, and they are best spotted from November to April, with the migratory bird species.

Primate nature walks: Kyambura Gorge is home to other primates besides chimpanzees, and these include red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys,  black and white colobus monkeys, and baboons, among others. During your trek, you will be able to see these primates in their natural habitat, adding to your adventure.

Guided nature walks: Kyambura Gorge is an amazing place to explore on foot. It is naturally beautiful and offers beautiful scenery from the gorge and the valley, where you will be able to see wild animals, including hyenas, leopards, elephants, and lions, among others. Nature walks can be done alongside the chimpanzee trekking exercise.

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP: Enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park where Kyambura Gorge is located and get to see the different wildlife species, some of which include buffaloes, antelopes, tree-climbing lions, crocodiles, elephants and hyenas among others.

Accommodation to use during a chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge

There is a variety of accommodation facilities that tourists can use when chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and these are in three categories: luxury, mid-range and budget-friendly accommodation facilities. The facilities that can be used include the Katara Lodge, Kingfisher Camp, Mweya Hostel, Mweya Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge, Ihamba Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge and Bush Lodge, among others.

How can I access Kyambura Gorge

Driving from Kampala to Kyambura Gorge using the Mbarara highway is approximately 420 kilometres. And if you are driving to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, it will take about 6 hours and 410 kilometres if you are driving from Kampala using the Fort Portal route.

If you want to avoid the long distances, you can organise domestic charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to the Mweya airstrip, which takes about an hour. From the airstrip, you will be taken to your hotel or the gorge using a 4x4 safari vehicle.

Frequently asked questions about the chimpanzee permits in Kyambura Gorge

Do I own the permit after purchase?

The Kyambura Gorge permit remains the property of the Government of Uganda. However, you get to own the permit for a short period, that is, from the time it was purchased until the day of the trek. Before the start of the trek, the permit is collected by the authorities, and no one is allowed to leave with it.

When should I book the chimpanzee permit in Kyambura?

The chimpanzee permits in Kyambura can be booked at any time, but we advise tourists to book 3 to 6 months in advance for proper planning of the safari and to ensure their spot among the trekkers. The permits printed per day are few and are sold on a first-come, first serve basis.

Who is eligible to get the chimpanzee permits in Kyambura Gorge?

All types of tourists are eligible for purchase of the chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge (foreign non-residents, foreign residents and EAC citizens), but they have to be at least 12 years old and above. Before the permits are purchased, age verification will be carried out using the scanned copy of the passport.

Can I purchase more than one permit?

Yes, you can purchase more than one permit for yourself, but they have to be on different dates. You can book for more than one permit on consecutive days if you want to spend more time with the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. You can, however, book for other people as long as you have their details, and payments have to be made individually.

Are there discounted chimpanzee permits in Kyambura Gorge?

No, currently, there are no discounted gorilla permits in Kyambura Gorge, and all tourists have to pay the stated amount by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In cases where the discounts are offered or there is a change in the cost of the permit, official announcements will be made by UWA on their website.

How do I know that my permit has been purchased?

Once we confirm that payment has been made and it reflects on our bank accounts, we will purchase the permit, and once it has been issued, a copy of scanned copy for record purposes will be emailed to you. Communicate with your bank to cover the withdrawal charges so that the amount sent is not less than what is used to purchase the permits.

For more information about chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee trekking permits, contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris.