Search
Live Chat

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

The Chimpanzee and Wildlife Lodge

This renowned Kyambura Gorge Lodge, with entirely remodelled public areas and gardens, has been converted from a coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.

The guest bandas have an afro-chic theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge. There are four new deluxe bandas and four standard bandas. A new spa and swimming pool was launched in 2019.

The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge nearby and seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.

Guests can participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism project, a series of community and conservation activities developed since 2009 to safeguard the Kyambura Gorge ecosystem.

New walking safaris have been created around the lodge to experience the dramatic landscapes of Kyambura gorge and the Queen Elizabeth savannah, and visit a reclaimed wetland. Guests can walk along the Kyambura gorge buffer zone we have created to protect the fragile ecosystem from encroachment and contribute to its long-term conservation project by planting a seedling.

volcanoes safaris kyambura gorge lodge dinner

Lodge Overview

Eight elegant hand built guest bandas facing either the savannah or Kyambura gorge (Four deluxe and four standard rooms). 

Search of the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura’ in the sunken rainforest and go birding in the Kyambura wetlands.

Start your chimpanzee trek from the lodge with our direct private footpath leading down into Kyambura gorge.

Exceptional hospitality and locally-inspired food. Personal butler service for all guests. Wifi throughout the lodge and all-inclusive premium drinks menus. 

Relax after your trekking with complimentary spa treatments and massages at the Kyambura Spa and swimming pool.

Visit the Kyambura Eco-tourism project and plant a tree seedling in the wildlife buffer zone. 

transparent film cover
Play Video

Protecting The Lost Chimpanzees of the Kyambura Gorge

Guests can participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism project, a series of community and conservation activities developed since 2009 to safeguard the Kyambura Gorge ecosystem.

Safaris

Conservation and Community

quote symbol
“Kyambura Gorge – a heavenly Soho House-like lodge complete with four-poster beds, giant in and outdoor showers, plus a plains-fringed pool.”
Nicola Moyne, Evening Standard
“Should western societies globally follow by example Volcanoes Safaris conservation and community ethos, our world would be a better place. We have respect and appreciation…
Adrian, Australia
“The Kyambura Gorge Lodge is a jewel to be discovered! We were well taken care of and highly recommend this lodge if you’re visiting Queen…
Carla, 4 Day Kyambura Safari
“Overlooking the gorge and Savannah of the QE park this lodge is delightfully furnished and each bungalow has a view. As you leave the main…
George, United Kingdom
“We had a great stay here for 3 nights with our family. We did 2 game drives and also did a safari boat ride on…
Toni, USA
“We stayed at the Kyambura Gorge Lodge and our experience was both relaxing and exhilarating. The design of the whole complex is beautiful and every…
Diana, United Kingdom

Booking Enquiry

To make a booking, please complete this form or click here to chat to one of our sales consultants via our live chat. Alternatively, send us an email on [email protected].
To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 years are allowed to go gorilla tracking. For guests booking a stay at Virunga Lodge, please note that the minimum age limit for children at Virunga Lodge is 12 years.

Safari Activities

Chimpanzee Tracking

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.

Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Tree Climbing Lions

It is highly uncommon for lions to actually climb trees. In fact, there is only one subspecies known to climb trees regularly, and one of the two populations of these subspecies can be found in Ishasha, in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Finding a pride lounging on the branches of one of the many fig trees in the park is considered to be one of the highlights of visiting the park.

Kazinga Channel Overview

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Boat Cruise

Kazinga Channel Overview

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.

Lion Queen Elizabeth

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Lion Research Safari

Lion Queen Elizabeth

Join a local scientific researcher on his daily game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to locate and record the behavior of a lion pride he is studying. This activity is best done in the mornings when there is ample time to track the pride and chances of finding them are high.

Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park Big

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park Big

Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Kyambura Gorge Lodge guests can explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Kyambura Wetland Walk

WetLand

VSPT secured 45 acres of wetland south of the Volcanoes Safaris Kyambura Gorge Lodge. The wetland, which previously had been used as an illegal brick works, is now regenerating rapidly back to its natural state. The rejuvenated wetlands now attract over 200 species of birds, different mammals and primates and the site is used to train members of the community in birding and guiding. This project has been a key success for the VSPT, particularly regarding its ecosystem conservation efforts given the amount of species that have now repopulated the area: new entries are added to the spotters’ lists almost daily! 

Indigenous trees have also been replanted, with the help of the community and of Volcanoes guests, along the banks of the Kyambura River. Due to human encroachment and habitat destruction over the past twenty years, hundreds of trees along the riverbank were cut down leading to soil erosion and water pollution. 

Community outreach and guide training take place throughout the year with the objective of establishing a pool of qualified local guides who can lead tours of the wetland. Guests at Kyambura Gorge Lodge can participate in guided walks in the wetland.

A vibrant red aloe vera flower spike against a soft blue sky at Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge, with a small iridescent green bird perched on it, likely extracting nectar. A perfect spot for bird watching.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Birding

A vibrant red aloe vera flower spike against a soft blue sky at Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge, with a small iridescent green bird perched on it, likely extracting nectar. A perfect spot for bird watching.

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Rwenzori Sculpture Gallery

Set up by Damien Hirst, the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundry & Gallery are a short drive from Kasese Airport. Sculptures by rising Ugandan artists sit alongside works by leading European sculptors, the result of collaborations and artist residencies. All works are inspired by the people, culture, wildlife and landscape of Uganda, and make the perfect memento to mark an unforgettable journey.

We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, analyse site traffic and personalise content. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them by checking our privacy policy. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.