Uganda has four major savannah national parks: Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Of all these four savannah national parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park has popularly been known for two major reasons; the tree-climbing lions and boat trips to the Kazinga channel.
For a long time, people have known Kibale National Park as the only chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda. Unfortunately, a lot has changed in the last decade in line with chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Currently, Uganda has four major chimpanzee tracking destinations. These are the Kibale forest, Budongo forest in Murchison Falls, Kalinzu forest near Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It might not seem like a big deal to choose where to trek chimpanzees in Uganda until you learn of the variations in chimpanzee tracking rates based on the location. Kibale forest is the most expensive chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda. Starting 1st July 2024; each chimpanzee permit in Kibale will cost $250 per foreign non-resident.
Kalinzu Forest is the cheapest, and they are also likely to revise their chimpanzee tracking rates shortly. Currently, their chimpanzee permits cost $50 per foreign non-resident. Unlike other locations that require bookings, Kalinzu Forest mostly serves walk-in clients.
Budongo Forest has been charging $100 per foreign non-resident. However, with the recent revision in the chimpanzee tracking rates by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge will also cost $100 per foreign non-resident starting 1st July 2024.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is the greenest place in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a rift covered by an evergreen forest. The forest walk alone is a special experience by itself. However one of the things that are never shared is the fact that chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge is not as reliable as chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest.
When you sign up for a chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura Gorge, you should expect 50 by 50 chances of seeing chimpanzees during your trek. If you encounter the chimpanzees on a lucky day, the chimpanzee experience is unique from all the others but at the same time quite unreliable.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge is still at the same level that Mgahinga gorilla treks used to be over a decade ago. Sometimes people visit the park and come back without seeing the mountain gorillas. But over time the experience got better. This same is expected to happen in Kyambura Gorge over time. With the revision in the chimpanzee tracking permit rates, the chimpanzee experience is expected to get back as time goes on.
Other Things To Do In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the leading Uganda safari destinations. It offers a popular lion-tracking experience. For those who are uncomfortable spending some extra money for lion tracking, you can also do lion game drives in the Ishasha sector and Kasenyi plains. Elephants are also popularly found in the Kasenyi plains.
Kazinga Channel is also a commonly visited place in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The channel offers boat trip opportunities to spot several animals on the channel banks. The common visitors at the banks include elephants, buffaloes, and hippos among several other animal species.
Chimpanzee tracking Queen Elizabeth National Park is highly recommended because the park offers several other wildlife activities, unlike Kibale Forest National Park. All Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking permits are sold at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala.