Kyambura Wildlife Reserve (Chambura Game Reserve) is located in Southwestern Uganda. Established in 1965, Kyambura officially became a Controlled Hunting Area in 1962. The present reserve encompasses the Kyambura Gorge and adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park. At Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, a myriad of wildlife awaits exploration, including diverse primates and other savanna wildlife species. Kyambura was upgraded to a reserve in 1965 and lies at an altitude of 700-1100m. The enchanting Kyambura is found northeast of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

From the Kyaninga channel, the reserve is 11 km. Kyambura Game Reserve makes up the extensive Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area/Protected Area. The extensive Queen Elizabeth Protected Area also covers other sites, including the Kigezi Game/Wildlife Reserve, and Maramagambo Gate.

Kyambura covers an area of only 156 sq. km with a landscape characterized by the gentle rolling savanna grassland. The reserve shelters a thick riverine forest, Kyambura Gorge, which stretches over 16 km. This reserve also features a beautiful Kyambura River and over 13 habitats where diverse bird species live.

The Wildlife to Explore on the Kyambura tour

At Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, expect to encounter diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, & countless colobus monkeys.

The birds of Kyambura Game Reserve

Approximately 300 species of birds reside in the diverse habitats in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Kyambura’s birds include the pink backed pelicans, blue-headed bee-eaters, African broadbill, papyrus gonoleks, Verreaux’s eagle, papyrus canary, white-winged warblers, African skimmers, African fin foot, and flamingos, etc.

Kyambura’s Tourism Activities

On a safari to Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, expect to indulge in the varied experiences. The reserve is most popular for its amazing experiences, including chimpanzee tracking, birding, nature or forest walks, and many others.

Chimpanzee trekking

Kyambura offers the best chimpanzee treks, a unique opportunity for tourists to embark on guided walks to see chimpanzees. The habituated chimpanzee communities exist in the Kyambura Gorge (the Valley of Apes), and tourists can spend between 2 and 4 hours searching and exploring the chimpanzees. Visitors enjoy a maximum of 1 hour in a close interaction with chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee treks in Kyambura never leave you the same. You will also come across other mammals and other species, including colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons. Note, chimpanzee treks in Kyambura are only acceptable for persons above 12 years.

Birding

Kyambura birding tour takes you to various habitats on a search for birds such as white-napped pigeon, falcons, and African fin foots. Pink-backed pelicans, white tailed warblers. Corncrakes, blue-headed bee-eaters, white tailed lark, and more.

Kyambura’s Nature walks and safaris

If you want to have a deep immersion into the jungles of Kyambura, then consider booking a guided nature walk or trek with a local tour operator. Nature walks can begin at around 8:00am and another session starts at around 1 or 2 pm. Expect to explore the Kyambura Gorge, Kyambura River, and other nearby sites. An experienced guide from Kyambura Reserve can be allocated to lead you through the entire Kyambura nature walking experience.

The best time to visit (by months or seasons)

Planning a safari to Kyambura Wildlife Reserve for the first time or as a repeat traveler all requires you to have in-depth knowledge on the weather and climatic conditions. However, the dry season presents the best weather conditions that favor chimpanzee trekking and other adventures. The dry weather conditions are excellent in the months of June, July, August, and September. Another phase of dry season begins from December to February –this is the shortest of the peak months of the year. The dry months of the year in Kyambura Gorge are characterized by low rainfalls and clear forest paths offering great chance for you to enjoy a smooth walk, especially on a guided trek with chimpanzees.

The rainy or wet months receive the heaviest rains compared to the drier months. The heavy rains usually disrupt normal trekking adventures. The rainy months mainly cover March, April, May, October, and November. Kyambura Reserve can be stunning with freshly flourishing floral species. There is also abundant forage for most primates and other wildlife living in this reserve. To avid bird watchers, the rainy/low months are ideal months to enjoy sights of the migratory and resident species of birds.

Kyambura combined with game safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kyambura and Queen Elizabeth National Park are close to each other thus allowing you to have combined primate tours and wildlife viewing. At Queen Elizabeth National Park, expect to indulge in a variety of experiences, including lion trekking, game drives, launch cruise excursions along the Kazinga channel, mongoose census, and hippo census.

The sectors to explore different savanna wildlife include Kasenyi track, Ishasha, and Mweya Peninsula. Diverse savanna species to find in the lush Queen Elizabeth Park include lions, cape buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, and antelopes ranging from Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, to bush bucks.

Kyambura’s Lodges & Camps

While on Uganda safari to explore Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, the lodging options present include in and around the reserve include Kyambura Gorge Lodge. The lodges adjacent to the reserve include Bulbul Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Mazike Lodge, Katara Lodge, Kingfisher Camp, Pumba Safari Cottages, Jacana Safari Lodge, and Buffalo Safari Lodge.

Best way to reach Kyambura Reserve (Uganda)

Access to Kyambura involves driving to western Uganda and takes visitors about 6-7 hours to reach the reserve from Kampala. Consider hiring a 4×4 safari car for your connectivity to and from Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Kyambura can be reached using any of the two routes, that is, from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara –Bushenyi route or Kampala through the Fort Portal-Kasese route.

Access to Kyambura by air involves taking a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kasese Airstrip or Mweya Airstrip. Guests can meet our expert on the ground, and you can be transferred to Kyambura in a 4×4 tourist vehicle.

Conclusively, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is a perfect addition to any safari to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park. Plan and book a tour with us to discover more about chimpanzees, Kyambura Gorge, immerse in the wilderness on a guided nature walk, and get astonishing bird sightings during a guided birding expeditions.