Kyambura Game Reserve
Kyambura Game Reserve once named Chambura Game Reserve which includes the part of Kyambura Gorge that connects the Queen Elizabeth National Park the top visited safari in Uganda that lies in southwestern region, approximately 5 to 6 hour drive from Kampala capital city .It is a home to wide population of wildlife species of which the big four species can be explored here ,inhabits over 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species ,chimpanzee species and monkey species among other .What makes Queen Elizabeth national park most popular are the unique tree climbing lions which are not commonly seen in world. Furthermore, about, the Kyambura Gorge is a water area surrounded by savannah and generally noted as a home for wide range of primate life species.
Historically, Kyambura Game Reserve was first created as the Kyambura and controlled as Hunting Area in 1962 but later was upgraded as a game reserve in 1965. Further note, in 1980s the southern area was colonized which lead to people who settled in area to be pulled out in 1990 and the land was given out to a private concessionaire called Swilling. Then after in 1996 the Uganda Wildlife Statute changed the name of all game reserve to wildlife reserves. And formally the reserve was known as the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. The hunting exception became to end in 1999 dues to illegal hunting. This reserve serves as a buffer zone to the Queen Elizabeth National Park ‘’QENP’’.
Geographically, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is found on northeastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park estimating 30 kilometers from the park headquarters. However, the Kyambura Gorge expends a distance of 11 kilometers and connects to the famous Kazinga Channel where amazing boat cruise is conducted on visit to Queen Elizabeth national park, the channel forms the northern boundary of the reserve yet local villages and plantation locates to the south.
More so ,the reserve lies on an area of about 156 square kilometers .Addition to that ,the Kyambura , Queen Elizabeth National Park together with Maramangambo Forest and Kigezi Game Reserve when all combine are referred to as ‘’the Queen Elizabeth Protected Area ‘’QEPA’’ this borders another safari destination known as Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and together these area completely encircle Lake Edward and to other nearby outstanding protected area like Kibale National Park to the northeast and Rwenzori Mountain National Park to the northwest.
Interestingly, the landscape around stuns with beautiful rolling savannah grassland though is deeply divided by the 16kilometer Kyambura Gorge, which supports a thick riverine forest and the Kyambura River.
Wildlife species to encounter on visit in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve which is part of Queen Elizabeth Protected Area home noted to huge number of habituated chimpanzees and other types of primates to view includes; baboons, black and white colobus, Red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. More about, the park is also a home to various avian species including variety of falcons, blue-headed bee eater and the African finfoot among others. However, this reserve is under protection of ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Kyambura being part of Queen Elizabeth National park the second largest national park after Murchison Falls national park in northwestern region. Queen Elizabeth national park the most visited destination because it harbors with biodiversity of mammal species like the rare tree climbing lions which can be explored in the southern part of the park in Ishasha sector, other animals to see includes; waterbucks, chimpanzee, leopards, warthogs, lions, buffaloes, hippos, mongoose, kobs, chimpanzees and is home to hoven of bird species. More so, what makes it popular are the list of amazing attractions and activities to do such as; Boat cruise, Lion tracking experience, Mongoose tracking, Game drive, Guided nature walk, Bird watching, Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge among other.
Attractions in Kyambura
The Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is habitat of fabulous attractions to encounter;
Primates Species; Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is a home of vast 12 primate species including; Red tailed monkeys, Black and white monkeys, Olive baboons, Vervet monkey, Blue monkeys many more.
Birdlife
The nature reserve is a paradise of bird species with about 332 bird species to see here on tours, which can be spotted during Birding, Chimpanzee tracking –trekking and nature walks. Bird species spotted includes African skimmer, Pink backed pelican, white tailed lark, African finfoot, white winged warbler, Blue-headed bee –eater, African finfoot, white winged warbler many more.
Vegetation
This reserve is comprised of savannah vegetation in the upper escarpments and Kyambura Gorge forest for it inhabits tree canopies bordered by Kichwamba escarpment of the rift valley.
Activities to do in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is the major done tourist activity out in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, home to habituated chimpanzee families. The activity can be done in two sessions morning and afternoon Chimpanzee tracking and their permits can be booked at Mweya visitors information Centre you just required to be energetic enough in body.
Kyambura Game Reserve
Tracking in the wildlife Reserve starts early in the morning with a briefing at the starting point and after briefing the range guide groups you in a ground of eight and then allocate you in the forest trails in search for the habituated chimpanzee families, the activity which can take about 2 to 3 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzee families since they move from place to place looking for food.
Once they are allocated your given one hours to stay with them learn from them how they behave, feed, play with their younger ones, enjoy the memorable photography.
Guided Forest walk
This is more amazing in morning and afternoon when weather is cool and attractive. Forest walk is an interesting experience where visitors move on foot along the forest trails as they discover, relax your mind from the noise, enjoy beautiful views, spot beautiful bird species as you listed to beautiful melodies of birds. This activity allows only 4 people and each session allows 2 groups of people.
Bird watching
The Kyambura Wildlife Reserve is a great location for bird watching since it is home to more than 332bird species and best seen in rainy season when the reserve contains a lot of food that attracts bird species and some of birds to see includes; Verreaux’s eagle owl, Papyrus canary, greater flamingos, lesser flamingos, martial eagle, African broadbill, white winged warbler, black bee-eater, African flamingos, among others
Best time to visit Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve lies in the northeastern part of famous Queen Elizabeth national park and can be visited all year around. Though the best time to visit is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.
Therefore, chimpanzee trekking can also be done in wet sessions in the month of March to May and October and November when the forest receivers heavy rainfall that leads to muddy and slippery of forest trails. However, wet rainy season is good for birding and during that period accommodation facilities becomes low.
Where to stay;
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve doesn’t have accommodation facilities but you can book perfect lodges in Queen Elizabeth national park that ranges from Luxury, Mid-range and Budget accommodation facilities. Lodges to stay includes; Hippo hill lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Kyambura Gorge safari lodge, Parkview safari lodge, Katara lodge, Jacana safari lodge, Kingfisher camp among other but they all furnished with good amenities wanted by the guests
Getting there;
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve can be access by road within 6 to 7hours drive passing via Mubende –Fort port to main destination.
Alternatively, can be reach by domestic flight Aerolink Uganda or Bar Aviation which operates chartered flights to Mweya airstrip in Queen Elizabeth from Entebbe International Airport in just an hour, then the driver guide will drive you to the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.
