Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura : Queen Elizabeth National park is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations . Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the Western region of Uganda in the districts of Kasese , Kamwenge , Rubirizi and Rukungiri . The park is the second largest after Murchison falls national park on an estimated area of 1,978 square kilometers . The park area extends from Lake George in the North East to Lake Albert in the south west and it includes the Kazinga channel that connects the two lakes . Queen Elizabeth national park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and in 1952 and then it was renamed after Queen Elizabeth the second when she visited the park to commemorate the Queen’s visit .

Queen Elizabeth national park is famously known for tree climbing lions and you can as well sight other animals elephants , giraffes , buffaloes , hippos and different species of antelopes in Kasenyi area , chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest not forgetting bird watching while on a boat cruise on Kazinga channel in the Mweya peninsula .

Chimpanzee Trekking In Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu forest is located in Bushenyi District which it covers an area of 416 square kilometers . It is approximately 25 kilometers from Queen Elizabeth national park . This forest is known for it’s diverse wildlife including chimpanzees , black and white colobus monkeys , blue monkeys , red tailed  monkeys , vervet monkeys and over 261 bird species .

Kalinzu forest is a home of over 320 chimpanzees about 50 habituated chimpanzees which makes it the second best chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda after Kibale forest national park . Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is the main activity that draws visitors to the forest . Kalinzu forest hosts one of the largest communities of chimpanzees .

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules , regulations to follow during trekking . After the briefing you will be allocated an experienced park guide who knows  the trails in the forest . Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu forest takes hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located since they like to move from one place to another in search of food . During trekking , you will be able to view other primates like black and white colobus monkeys , red tailed monkeys , olive baboons . You will also view different bird species , plant and tree species .

Once the chimpanzees are found , you will be allowed to spend time  with them in their habitat where  you will be able to spot some and learn more about their behaviors , habits , watch them feed , breastfeed , hunt , play ,rest , groom  young ones and take photos .

Cost of a Chimpanzee trekking permit In Kalinzu forest

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest costs USD 50 per person for foreign non residents , USD 40 for foreign residents and UGX 30000 for East African citizens .

 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura

Kyambura gorge is a tropical forest found in Queen Elizabeth National Park . The kyambura is 100 meters deep and about 1 km long . It is an extension of Kyambura Game reserve which is part of Queen Elizabeth National park . Kyambura gorge is characterized by dense tropical rain forest that is a home to large number of bird species , primates and mammals like elephants and hippos .

Kyambura gorge connects to the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth national park a vast swamp or wetland .

Chimpanzee trekking is the most attractive thing to do in Kyambura gorge . Chimpanzees are known for their high intelligency compared to most primates . They can walk on two legs like humans but not for a long distance since they prefer to use all four limbs .

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge has two sessions morning and afternoon .  The first session starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules , regulations and expectation at visitors center close to the gorge . After briefing , you will be subdivided into groups of 6 people and start trekking in the jungle with a well trained park guide who is knowledgeable about the chimpanzees and also well conversant with different trails . Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge takes time depending on where the chimpanzees are located since they move in search of food especially during dry season . During trekking you will be able to view variety of bird species , other primates like vervet monkeys , black and white colobus monkeys , red tailed monkeys ,  different plant and tree species .

Once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend time with them which gives a chance to take pictures , learn about their behaviors , lifestyle , how they carry out their daily activities like feeding , breastfeeding , playing , hunting , resting , grooming young ones among others .

Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge

A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family in Kyambura gorge . A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge costs USD 50 per person for foreign non residents , USD 40 for foreign residents and UGX 30000 per person for East African citizens . A chimpanzee trekking permit in kyambura gorge is cheap compared to Budongo forest in Murchison falls