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Kyambura Gorge Lodge

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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 a 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.

Lodge Overview

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Ten 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. 

Lodge Rates
Kyambura Gorge Lodge Fact Sheet
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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.

Watch this film here

Safari Activities and Wildlife

Chimpanzee Tracking

Tree Climbing Lions

Boat Cruise

Lion Research Safari

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park​

Kyambura Wetland Walk

Birding

Rwenzori Sculpture Gallery

Safaris

4 Day Kyambura Safari

This short safari to Kyambura takes you on scenic game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, on a spectacular boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and to trek to the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge’ into the sunken forest of the Kyambura Gorge.

7 Day Chimpanzee and Gorilla Safari, Uganda

Cruise on the Kazinga Channel and go searching for the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura’.

10 Day Classic Uganda: Gorilla, Chimps, Wildlife and Birds

Trek the gorillas in Bwindi Forest and the Virunga. See the the endangered golden monkeys and experience the ancient Batwa culture in Mgahinga. Go searching for the lost chimps of Kyambura Gorge, before finishing your safari in the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park to see the famous tree-climbing lions.

Conservation and Community

Kyambura Gorge Buffer

Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative

Kyambura Wetland Restoration

“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 for what you are doing. Thank you!”
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 Elizabeth National Park.”
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 road in the village a tiny track leads to the lodge entrance behind which the lodge opens out into a spacious garden, lounge and veranda. The food is excellent with superb vegetarian options.”
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 the Kazinga Channel, and the Gorge Walk.”
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 effort was made by the staff to make our stay perfect.”
Diana, United Kingdom

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© Volcanoes Safaris 1997 – 2022. All Rights Reserved
Volcanoes UK Limited, Registered Office: 402 Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, London, W1B 5TE

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 enquiries@volcanoessafaris.com.
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.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge Fact Sheet

The Lodge

  • 8 unique handbuilt bandas (4 deluxe and 4 standard) of which 6 doubles and 2 twins. All with a private balcony offering spectacular views of the park or gorge. 1 guide/tour leader room available.
  • All rooms are complete with en-suite bathrooms with flushing toilet, double vanity and indoor and outdoor shower with hot & cold running water.
  • Swimming pool with stunning views over the park and the Rwenzori Mountains on the horizon.
  • Personal butler service for all guests.
  • 2 tranquil massage rooms available. One 50-minute complimentary massage per guest per stay. Extra massages are available at $50 for a 50-minute massage.
  • Full board accommodation including all soft drinks and regular and premium alcoholic beverages including cocktails, cellar collection wines and single malt whiskies. Guests pay for French champagne only.
  • Complimentary laundry service.
  • Power sockets/charging facilities and hair dryer in the rooms. Fans are provided but no air conditioners.
  • Wi-Fi available in the main lodge and bandas.
  • Sales Tool Kit with images, videos, rates, etc can be viewed at this link.

Safari & Lodge Activities

  • Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, with direct access on foot along the Fig Tree Walk. Trek in Kalinzu Forest (20 minutes drive from lodge).
  • Game drives and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.
  • Hike the Rwenzori Mountain.
  • Visit the Kyambura Coffee Cooperative.
  • Go birding in the Kyambura wetland.
  • Plant tree in the buffer zone.
  • Gorge walk at the lodge.

Getting to the Lodge

  • From Entebbe: 1-hour flight + 2-hour drive
  • From Bwindi Lodge (Kihihi): 15-minute flight or a 5-hour drive through the park.
  • From Mount Gahinga Lodge (Kisoro): 15-minute flight + 2-hour drive.

Seasons & Climate

  • Average daytime temperatures: 15-35 celsius, at night: 10-25 celsius.
  • Uganda is located on the Equator and is an all- year-round destination. High season: 15 Dec – 28 Feb / 1 Jun – 30 Sep. Low season: 1 Oct – 14 Dec / 1 Mar – 31 May.

Useful Information

  • Lodge altitude: 1,060m. GPS coordinates: – 0.208354, 30.104324.
  • Credit card payments are accepted at the lodge (Amex, Visa and MasterCard). Cash payments or cheques are not accepted.
  • Gratuities are at the discretion of the guest. For lodge staff and guides we suggest $5-10 or more per day. For park guides $5-10 and for trackers $15 per guest.
  • Children under 15 years of age are not permitted to track the chimps. They are welcome at the lodge, but please be advised we do not have childcare facilities.
  • Check out time for all guests is 11am on the day of departure.
Download Kyambura Gorge Lodge Fact Sheet

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: 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.

Mountain Trekking

Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Safari Activities

Birding

Mountain Trekking

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.

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