Deciding whether to trek chimpanzees in Uganda’s tour destinations, Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge, is not easy. Both forested ecosystems offer some of the best chimpanzee trekking experiences in Uganda, each with its own charm. Below are some of the differences and similarities between them.
Management of Kalinzu Forest vs Kyambura Gorge?
Kalinzu Forest is a Central Forest Reserve near Queen Elizabeth National Park, managed by the National Forestry Authority. Meanwhile, Kyambura Gorge is a forest-filled chasm situated in the east of Queen Elizabeth National Park, 100 meters deep. This is under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest vs Kyambura Gorge?
The cost of chimpanzee trekking differs between Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest as follows,
Kyambura Gorge
- Foreign non-residents, USD 100 per person
- Foreign residents, USD 80 per person
- East African Citizens, USD 65 per person
Kalinzu Forest
- Foreign non-resident, USD 130 per person
- Foreign residents, USD 65 per person
- East African Citizens, USD 65 per person
These rates are for purchasing chimpanzee permits. Book a permit to trek chimps in Kyambura Gorge at Uganda Wildlife Authority through Monteero Safaris. Permits to trek chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest can be bought at the Visitors Reception Center. You can also book in advance with Monteero Safaris. This is to reduce inconveniences or unnecessary expenditures.
Distance from Queen Elizabeth National Park gate
Kalinzu Forest Visitor’s Centre is just 30.2 kilometers south of the Queen Elizabeth National Park Katunguru Gate. Driving to the forest takes around 35 minutes. Meanwhile, the drive to Kyambura Gorge inside Queen Elizabeth National Park covers just 4.3 kilometers from the Katunguru Gate. The travel duration is only 7 minutes, which is comparatively less than to Kalinzu Forest.
You do not have to pay for a separate entrance into Kyambura after you have paid at Queen Elizabeth National Park’s entrance. Since Kalinzu Forest is managed by the National Forestry Authority, it is necessary to pay for entrance to the forest. This implies that it is quite cheaper to combine a chimp trek with a game drive and launch cruise in Kyambura.
Population of chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge vs Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest has at least 230 chimpanzees, with at least 40 of them habituated. Kyambura Gorge has a population of at least 23 chimpanzees. All of them are habituated to chimpanzee trekking. This implies that Kalinzu has a bigger population of chimps, thus offering a slightly higher chance of encountering the chimps. Kyambura Gorge offers a more intimate encounter.
How is chimpanzee trekking done in Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge?
In both destinations, chimpanzee trekking can be done in more than one session, i.e., morning and afternoon. But the chimp trek starts with a short briefing where visitors are told about the guidelines and rules to follow. Then an experienced tracker leads the visitors in search of the chimps inside the forest. After finding the chimps, 1 hour is offered for visitors to view them.
Capturing the chimpanzees on camera is acceptable. There are other wildlife species that could be encountered while in the forest. These include black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, elephants, and plenty of bird species. After returning to the starting point, the visitors will notice that the chimp trek has taken between 2 to 4 hours.
How to travel to Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge?
You can reach either Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge using road or air transport. Traveling by road offers panoramic views of Uganda’s western region. From Kampala to Kalinzu Forest, the scenic drive covers around 352.8 kilometers. This is via Masaka and Mbarara. Traveling by road from Kampala to Kyambura Gorge covers a distance of around 387.3 kilometers.
Air transport to Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest is possible. Domestic flights are offered from Entebbe International Airport to nearby airstrips, including Kasese and Mweya. After arriving at Kasese Airstrip, we shall organize private road transport. This is a journey of around 73.8 kilometers. Aircraft to these airstrips are operated by AeroLink Uganda.
When to visit?
Visit either Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge to enjoy chimpanzee trekking adventures any day of the year. For easier chimpanzee trekking tours, visit either destination during the dry season: June to August and December to February. Dry seasons cause dry weather conditions, including low rainfall patterns. What this causes is less muddy chimpanzee trails, less dense vegetation, and clear skies.