Kyambura Gorge is one of the most dramatic places in Uganda: a sunken tropical rainforest about 100 metres deep and 11 kilometres long, cut into the open savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Known as the "Valley of Apes", it shelters a small, isolated community of wild chimpanzees, along with monkeys, forest birds and butterflies, in a hidden world you cannot see until you stand on the rim.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how it was formed, chimpanzee tracking, permit prices, what else to see, where to stay, the best time to visit and how to get there.
Kyambura Gorge at a Glance
| Location | Eastern Queen Elizabeth National Park, western Uganda, below the Kichwamba Escarpment |
| Size | About 11 km long and up to 100 m deep |
| Famous for | Chimpanzee tracking in a sunken rainforest |
| Chimp permit | About US$100 for foreign non-residents |
| Minimum age | 12 years for chimp tracking |
| Trek length | 2 to 4 hours |
| Best time | June to August and December to February |
Why Is Kyambura Gorge Called the Valley of Apes?
The name comes from the gorge's chimpanzees, a small group of about 25 to 30 individuals cut off from the large forests of Maramagambo and Kalinzu by surrounding savannah and farmland. The BBC told their story in the documentary Valley of the Apes, which brought international attention to these "lost chimpanzees".
Local people say the name Kyambura comes from a word meaning "it lost", after a story of the river sweeping away people and belongings who were never found again. Today the gorge is a protected refuge, and every visit helps fund the conservation of its chimps.
How Was Kyambura Gorge Formed?
The gorge was shaped by the same forces that created the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift Valley. As the rift floor faulted and sank, the Kyambura River cut down through the soft ground, carving a deep, narrow valley. Shaded and fed by the river, the gorge floor developed into a humid rainforest, completely different from the dry grassland just metres above.
Where Is Kyambura Gorge?
The gorge lies in the east of Queen Elizabeth National Park, near the Kichwamba Escarpment and the Kasese to Mbarara road. It forms part of Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, a protected buffer of about 156 square kilometres around the park. The river flows from the escarpment to Lake George and the Kazinga Channel.
Together with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Maramagambo Forest and Kigezi Wildlife Reserve, the gorge is part of the Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, which borders the DR Congo's Virunga National Park. Kibale Forest National Park lies to the north and Rwenzori Mountains National Park to the northwest.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee tracking is the main reason to visit. After a briefing at the Fig Tree Camp viewpoint on the rim, a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger leads small groups down the steep path into the forest. You follow calls, fresh nests and fallen fruit to find the chimps, often crossing the river on natural log bridges.
- Times: treks usually leave in the morning and early afternoon. Morning is best, when the chimps are most active.
- Duration: 2 to 4 hours, depending on where the chimps are.
- Group size: small groups with a ranger guide.
- Difficulty: moderate, with a steep descent and climb out, slippery paths and some bush-whacking.
- Minimum age: 12 years.
Because the community is small, sightings are less certain than in Kibale, so think of it as an adventure with a good chance of chimps rather than a guarantee. For the most reliable encounters, combine it with chimp tracking in Kibale Forest or Kalinzu Forest.
Chimp Permit Prices
| Visitor category | Permit cost |
| Foreign non-resident | About US$100 |
| Foreign resident | About US$80 |
| East African citizen | About UGX 50,000 |
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and park entrance fees are paid separately. Rates change from time to time, so we confirm current prices when we book. Compare all options in our guide to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
7 Highlights of the Valley of Apes
- Wild chimpanzees: the only chimps you can track inside Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- A hidden rainforest: step from dry savannah into a cool, green forest in minutes.
- Monkeys: black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, vervets and olive baboons.
- Birds: forest and river birds such as the African finfoot, blue-breasted bee-eater, black bee-eater and falcons on the cliffs.
- Other wildlife: hippos in the river pools, giant forest hogs and many butterflies.
- The rim viewpoint: a superb view over the gorge and savannah, perfect for photos even if you do not trek.
- Conservation and community: local projects reforest the gorge edge and support nearby villages.
Other Things to Do Near Kyambura Gorge
- Game drives on the Kasenyi Plains for lions, elephants, buffalo and kob.
- The Kazinga Channel boat cruise from Mweya, with hippos, elephants and water birds.
- The tree-climbing lions of Ishasha in the south of the park.
- Community visits to the Lake Katwe salt mines, the Omwani coffee experience near the gorge and the Kikorongo women's community.
- Lion tracking and mongoose tracking with Uganda Wildlife Authority researchers.
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 3 to 4 hours away.
Where to Stay Near Kyambura Gorge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury): stylish rooms in a restored coffee-processing store on the edge of the gorge, with views across the savannah to the Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge's eco-tourism project, started in 2009, has helped restore the forest around the gorge and support local communities.
- Park View Safari Lodge (mid-range to upmarket): en-suite cottages, a pool and wide views over the park, close to the gorge.
- Other options: Katara Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge are all within easy reach.
See more choices in our guide to lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Best Time to Visit Kyambura Gorge
You can track chimps here all year. The dry months of June to August and December to February are the easiest, with firmer paths and good game viewing elsewhere in the park. In the rainy months of March to May and September to November, trails are muddy but the forest is lush and fruiting trees can keep the chimps nearby. Read more about the best time to visit Uganda.
How to Get to Kyambura Gorge
- By road from Kampala: about 6 to 7 hours (420 km) via Masaka and Mbarara, or about 6 hours (410 km) via Fort Portal.
- From Kibale or Fort Portal: about 2 to 3 hours.
- By air: scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kasese airstrip take about 1 to 1.5 hours, followed by a drive to the gorge; charter flights can land at Mweya.
Kyambura Gorge Tours
- 2 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari Package
- 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
- 4 Days Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla and Queen Elizabeth Safari
We can add Kyambura Gorge chimp tracking to any of these trips.
Kyambura Gorge FAQs
Are you guaranteed to see chimps in Kyambura Gorge?
No. The community is small and moves through a long gorge, so sightings are not guaranteed, though your chances are good with an experienced ranger. Kibale Forest offers the most reliable chimp sightings in Uganda.
How much is a Kyambura Gorge chimp permit?
About US$100 per person for foreign non-residents, with lower rates for foreign residents and East African citizens. Park entrance fees are paid separately.
How hard is the Kyambura Gorge trek?
It is moderate. The path into and out of the gorge is steep and can be slippery, but most reasonably fit visitors manage it with the help of the ranger.
What is the minimum age for chimp tracking in the gorge?
The minimum age is 12 years.
Plan Your Kyambura Gorge Visit
Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447 or email info@tulambule.com, and we will book your Kyambura Gorge chimp permit and include it in a Queen Elizabeth safari that suits your dates and budget. Browse more trips in our Uganda safaris and tours.
