KYAMBURA GORGE:

Kyambura Gorge in its magic and marvel spells a mystery. Situated at the Western edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge is part of Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. The feature is one of the unsung wonders of Uganda; a pristine tropical forest that nestles below sea-level!

Quite often referred to as the “Underground Forest with Chimps”, the Gorge forms part of a litany of dramatic landforms that include the Albertine rift escarpment and the Albertine lakes (George and Edward) that are connected by a water cord commonly known as Kazinga Channel. Notable also, are the breathtaking volcanic and alkaline crater lakes that decorate the greater Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Nature exhibits a unique spectacle in that, the gorge is surrounded by open savannah grasslands with scanty bushes and lone-standing trees. A descent into the gorge reveals a little green world and treats visitors with a cool forest breeze. Rhythms of nature fill the ambiance as chimpanzees hoot and drum, birds call, snakes hiss and insects stridulate.

The Gorge is approximately 16kms long; 14kms are within the reserve whereas two kilometers are community land. The roar of the water falls with the gorge can be heard right from the view point at the Kyambura Wildlife Ranger Post. Falls hit the bottom from a height of about 80 meters, this point is concealed in the dense section of Kyambura gorge forest which not accessible to visitors. The gorge drains into Lake George (locally known as Kasoga).

The community of Chimpanzees in Kyambura is about 28 individuals; 17 of these are males while 11 are females and babies. The process of habituation to prepare this community for visitors/tourists started in 1987 and rolled till 1992/93. The Forest sustains the Chimp Community with a fruit diet, plant material, honey, termites, buds and flies. To supplement their diet, chimps hunt and kill black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, duikers and giant forest hogs.

Aside from Chimpanzees, the gorge is home to black and white colobus monkeys, Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and the usual suspect, vervet monkeys. Occasional visit to the gorge by Elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and hyenas among other species. Hippos are permanent residents.

The entire Kyambura game reserve hosts about 332 recorded bird species. Seven of these Species are of global conservation concern. The gorge has the forest resident section of them notably, the African Finfoot, Narina Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Lesser Flamingos and Ross Turaco among other species.

Kyambura in a local Bantu dialect refers to “Lost Search”! A gorge with a natural forest, there are special and unique tree species like the Iron wood tree (Cynometra Alexandri), Fiens Nafalesis Tree, Fiens Vallisendia Tree and Helegafa Muldradii Tree among other species.

Chimpanzee Tracking is the most popular tourist activity in the Gorge. Tourists can either track chimps in the morning or in the afternoon. The activity demands moderate physical fitness and takes approximately three hours per session. Ape Treks arranges this activity as part of the trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park.