We set off early in the morning for a beautiful hike to the Kyambura Gorge headquarters. We hiked right from the lodge until we reached the elephant trench - a trench built around the lodge grounds to keep elephants from being able to enter.
Kyambura Gorge - our ranger Ruth who led us for the day and kept us safe (Erin Correia)
On the other side of the trench, we met Ruth. She was our ranger for the day, leading us and protecting us from any potentially dangerous wildlife encounters (elephants, lions, hippos…).
The scenery was beautiful, with elephants in the distance, as we made our way to the gorge headquarters. Here, we checked in to the national park and enjoyed a view of the gorge we were about to explore.
A chimpanzee tracker joined us and we drove to the area on the rim where he thought we would be most successful at encountering the chimps. From here, we began our slippery, muddy journey down into the gorge.
Ruth led the way as we trekked up and down the sides of the gorge, keeping an eye out for knuckle prints or chimp droppings. We hiked for a few hours, searching in vain.
Finally, the tracker spotted a chimpanzee, resting in the trees above us. Then another baby with its mother moving through the canopy nearby. We were hopeful that this would mean more chimps were in the area, but sadly, these were the only 3 we encountered, and they remained hidden up in the canopy, far away from us.
We spent about a half hour waiting here before we continued through the gorge, hoping for better luck. While we did not encounter any more chimps, we were lucky to be serenaded by the hippos who live in the river at the bottom of the gorge.
As we made our way along the river, their bellows filled the air, letting us know that they were not far off. We were able to see several family pods at a close distance, so at least our morning was not a total loss on the wildlife front!
(For better chimpanzee viewing, I suggest planning 2 chimp treks and/or planning a visit to Kibale instead.)
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
