Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, covering 156 sq km on the northeastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is best known as the home of the Kyambura Gorge, a 16-km riverine forest gash carved by the Kyambura River and the only place in the wider Queen Elizabeth Protected Area where habituated chimpanzees can be trekked. Bordered to the north by the Kazinga Channel, the reserve forms an important, biologically distinct extension of the national park.
The reserve at a glance
- 156 sq km on the northeastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Rubirizi District near Kasese
- Home to the 16-km Kyambura Gorge, a riverine forest carved by the Kyambura River
- The only place in the Queen Elizabeth Protected Area where habituated chimpanzees are trekked
- Bordered to the north by the Kazinga Channel, which forms part of the reserve’s boundary
The “Valley of Apes”
Kyambura Gorge, often called the Valley of Apes, supports a small, isolated chimpanzee community alongside red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, baboons and vervet monkeys within its dense riverine forest. Because the surrounding grassland was cleared decades ago, leaving the gorge’s forest isolated from other chimpanzee habitat, conservationists have raised concerns about the long-term genetic health of this small, cut-off population, a reminder of the fragility of even well-known wildlife experiences.
Birding and wider wildlife
Beyond its primates, Kyambura’s varied habitat supports notable birdlife, including falcons, blue-headed bee-eaters and African finfoots, adding to the reserve’s appeal for visitors combining chimpanzee trekking with broader birdwatching during a Queen Elizabeth National Park stay.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge
- Birdwatching for falcons, bee-eaters and African finfoots
- Combining a visit with wider Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives
Practical information
- Located about 30 km from Queen Elizabeth National Park’s headquarters, easily combined with a park stay
- Chimpanzee trekking permits should be booked in advance given the gorge’s small habituated group
- Best visited alongside a wider Queen Elizabeth National Park itinerary
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve offers an intimate chimpanzee trekking experience within easy reach of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Offmap Safaris can build it into your park itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
