Kyambura Gorge
"Chimps of the Lost Valley"
Descend into an ancient sunken gorge — a secret forest world carved into the Queen Elizabeth savannah. A small, isolated chimpanzee community lives here, cut off from the outside world. This is Uganda's most dramatic and atmospheric chimp trek.
"Most visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park drive past the Kyambura Gorge without knowing what lies beneath the savannah surface. Drop over the edge of the rift and you find yourself in a completely different world — a cathedral of ancient fig trees, palms, and ferns watered by an underground river, home to a small chimpanzee community that has lived here in isolation for generations. They are one of Uganda's most extraordinary and least-visited chimp populations, and the experience of tracking them through this hidden gorge is unlike any other safari moment in Africa."
What Makes Kyambura Gorge Unique
The Kyambura Gorge is a steep-sided valley — up to 100 metres deep — carved into the floor of Queen Elizabeth NP by the Kyambura River. The gorge creates a self-contained forest microclimate entirely different from the surrounding savannah. The chimpanzee community here is completely isolated — genetically distinct from Kibale's chimps — making every encounter scientifically and experientially extraordinary.
- Morning departure from Kampala/Entebbe in private 4×4
- Equator crossing stop at Kayabwe — photos & certificate
- Arrive Queen Elizabeth NP by afternoon — check in at your lodge
- Evening game drive through the Kasenyi Plains — lion, elephant, and Uganda kob at golden hour
- Dinner and briefing for tomorrow's Kyambura Gorge descent
- 7:00 AM: Briefing at the Kyambura Gorge entrance, then descend into the gorge
- Trek through the narrow gorge floor — fig trees, palms, and running water create a surreal microclimate
- Track the isolated Kyambura chimpanzee community — encounter rate is good but lower than Kibale (this adds to the authentic wild feeling)
- Permit ($50 pp) included in package price
- Midday return to lodge for lunch
- Afternoon: 2-hour Kazinga Channel launch cruise — hippo pods, elephants drinking at the banks, Nile crocodile, and hundreds of water birds
- Evening sundowner back at your lodge
- Morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains — lion, elephant, buffalo, jackal & waterbuck
- Drive south to the Ishasha sector — the only place in East Africa (besides the Serengeti) where lions regularly climb trees
- Afternoon: Maramagambo Forest walk (optional) — explore the forest that connects Queen Elizabeth's sectors, passing the infamous python cave and bat cave
- Evening game drive returning northward through the park
- Overnight Queen Elizabeth area
- Early morning game drive or birding walk from the lodge
- Breakfast and check-out
- Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (5 hours) with lunch stop en route
- Arrive early evening — onward connections or overnight available
- 3 nights accommodation
- Kyambura Gorge chimp permit ($50 pp)
- All park entry fees — Queen Elizabeth NP
- All game drives in private 4×4
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hrs)
- All meals — full board
- Expert driver-guide throughout
- Airport/hotel transfers
- Government taxes
- Bottled water throughout
- International flights
- Uganda visa ($50 pp)
- Travel insurance
- Maramagambo Forest walk (optional)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuities ($10–15/day)
- Personal items & souvenirs
Discover Uganda's Hidden Chimp Valley
Descend into a lost world where ancient fig trees shelter an isolated chimpanzee community. Pair it with tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel — and you have Uganda's most diverse 4-day safari.
Kyambura Gorge
"Chimps of the Lost Valley"
Descend into an ancient sunken gorge — a secret forest world carved into the Queen Elizabeth savannah. A small, isolated chimpanzee community lives here, cut off from the outside world. This is Uganda's most dramatic and atmospheric chimp trek.
"Most visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park drive past the Kyambura Gorge without knowing what lies beneath the savannah surface. Drop over the edge of the rift and you find yourself in a completely different world — a cathedral of ancient fig trees, palms, and ferns watered by an underground river, home to a small chimpanzee community that has lived here in isolation for generations. They are one of Uganda's most extraordinary and least-visited chimp populations, and the experience of tracking them through this hidden gorge is unlike any other safari moment in Africa."
What Makes Kyambura Gorge Unique
The Kyambura Gorge is a steep-sided valley — up to 100 metres deep — carved into the floor of Queen Elizabeth NP by the Kyambura River. The gorge creates a self-contained forest microclimate entirely different from the surrounding savannah. The chimpanzee community here is completely isolated — genetically distinct from Kibale's chimps — making every encounter scientifically and experientially extraordinary.
- Morning departure from Kampala/Entebbe in private 4×4
- Equator crossing stop at Kayabwe — photos & certificate
- Arrive Queen Elizabeth NP by afternoon — check in at your lodge
- Evening game drive through the Kasenyi Plains — lion, elephant, and Uganda kob at golden hour
- Dinner and briefing for tomorrow's Kyambura Gorge descent
- 7:00 AM: Briefing at the Kyambura Gorge entrance, then descend into the gorge
- Trek through the narrow gorge floor — fig trees, palms, and running water create a surreal microclimate
- Track the isolated Kyambura chimpanzee community — encounter rate is good but lower than Kibale (this adds to the authentic wild feeling)
- Permit ($50 pp) included in package price
- Midday return to lodge for lunch
- Afternoon: 2-hour Kazinga Channel launch cruise — hippo pods, elephants drinking at the banks, Nile crocodile, and hundreds of water birds
- Evening sundowner back at your lodge
- Morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains — lion, elephant, buffalo, jackal & waterbuck
- Drive south to the Ishasha sector — the only place in East Africa (besides the Serengeti) where lions regularly climb trees
- Afternoon: Maramagambo Forest walk (optional) — explore the forest that connects Queen Elizabeth's sectors, passing the infamous python cave and bat cave
- Evening game drive returning northward through the park
- Overnight Queen Elizabeth area
- Early morning game drive or birding walk from the lodge
- Breakfast and check-out
- Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (5 hours) with lunch stop en route
- Arrive early evening — onward connections or overnight available
- 3 nights accommodation
- Kyambura Gorge chimp permit ($50 pp)
- All park entry fees — Queen Elizabeth NP
- All game drives in private 4×4
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hrs)
- All meals — full board
- Expert driver-guide throughout
- Airport/hotel transfers
- Government taxes
- Bottled water throughout
- International flights
- Uganda visa ($50 pp)
- Travel insurance
- Maramagambo Forest walk (optional)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuities ($10–15/day)
- Personal items & souvenirs
Discover Uganda's Hidden Chimp Valley
Descend into a lost world where ancient fig trees shelter an isolated chimpanzee community. Pair it with tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel — and you have Uganda's most diverse 4-day safari.