3 Day Kyambura Gorge Chimp Tracking Safari, Queen Elizabeth
Explore one of Uganda’s most dramatic landscapes on this 3-day safari to Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Often called the Valley of Apes, Kyambura is a forested canyon carved deep into the savannah, home to a small but fascinating population of wild chimpanzees. This safari combines chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge with classic wildlife game drives across the Kasenyi plains and a locally guided coffee experience near the park. It is ideal for travelers who want a short but diverse safari that blends primates, savannah wildlife, and community interaction. Travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced English speaking guide. Accommodation is arranged in carefully selected lodges near the gorge, with options ranging from comfortable midrange stays to luxury safari lodges overlooking the Rift Valley escarpment. This journey offers a focused introduction to western Uganda’s wildlife, without the longer travel time required for a full circuit safari.
Tour Snapshot
Duration 3 days, 2 nights
Start and End Kampala or Entebbe
Destination Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge
Drive Time Approximately 6 to 7 hours each way
Main Experience: Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Wildlife Activities: Evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains
Cultural Experience: Local coffee tour near the park
Best For Travelers who want a short safari combining chimp tracking and classic savannah wildlife
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth, evening game drive
Depending on your location in Kampala, you will be picked up by our company representative/guide, who will then transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is located in the western part of the country, it’s a 6 to 7 hours’ drive with en route. Via the Masaka road, you will have a stopover at the Equator, where you will be able to take photographs and visit the craft shop, and proceed with lunch en route.
On arrival at the park, connect for an evening game drive for chances of finding animals like the lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, to mention a few, before you proceed to your accommodation for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay at
Day 2: Kyambura chimp tracking, coffee tour
After your early morning breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to the starting point of Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is one of the most impressive landscapes in Uganda, consisting of a great ecosystem, such as a tree canopy with tropical underground forest and primates. The gorge is crossed by the River Kyambura, from which it derives its name, to thrill while on Uganda Safaris Tours. After a briefing from the park officials, set off on a nature and primates walk inside the gorge. Walk through the tropical and riverine forest trees and the thick forest canopy in search of the chimpanzees, and also find other primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and many more.
The Gorge is also a home to several different bird species including Avian species and Forest bird species such as the African Finfoot, blue headed bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumpled Buttonquail, African skimmer, lesser and greater Flamingos, Chapin’s flycatcher, white tailed lark, corncrake, pink backed pelican, Verreaux’s eagle owl, black bee-eater, papyrus gonolek, African broadbill, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler, white-winged warbler and many more. After your nature walk, return for lunch at your lodge, relax, and later in the afternoon visit the Coffee plantation in Kyambura. If you learn the whole process of Coffee making and also get to buy and taste. Return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at either lodge as above
Day 3: Optional morning game drive, return to Kampala
On the 3rd day, after having your breakfast, you have an option of doing a morning game drive before you set off on your journey back to Kampala, passing via Kasese Fort Portal road with en-route lunch. It is a 6-7 hour journey with great views of the landscape and its people in the west. When you arrive in Kampala/Entebbe, your guide will drop you off at a location you advise or proceed to fly out of Uganda if you have a flight schedule.
Accommodation options near Kyambura
- Luxury, Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Midrange, Parkview Safari Lodge, Elephant Hub Lodge
- Budget, Pumba Safari Lodge
What Is Included
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
Fuel and all road transfers as per the itinerary
Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
Kyambura Gorge chimp tracking permit
Two nights’ accommodation in a selected lodge
Full board meals during the safari
Evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains
Coffee experience or community visit as per the itinerary
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
All on-ground logistics and coordination
What Is Not Included
International flights
Uganda visa fees
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages, unless specified
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
