Kyambura Gorge, home to chimpanzee primates.

If you were to look down on Kyambura Goege from above, all you would see is greenery. However, if you bravely descend the mountain, nature will be gracious to your vision. Kyambura Gorge is 100 meters long and situated in the northeastern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are variations in size throughout.

A large portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park was left barren during the dry season, yet this amazing gorge serves as a much-needed sanctuary for both people and animals seeking solace and visual stimulation. Natural water runs from the rocks, creating the gorge. Rocks that appear to be in different states of collapse had presumably been pushed to a stop centuries ago when the volcano violently erupted. Another name for Kyambura Gorge is the Valley of Apes.

Some trees’ roots are so large and gnarled that they resemble twisted wooden boats, while the roots of other trees lie on the ground where they fell decades ago and began to corrode there.

The sounds of many birds, animals, plants, and trees, as well as the sound of the water, filled the air with an uncommon melody. In addition to chimpanzees, this area is home to a variety of other primates, including vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and red-tailed monkeys. Large hogs and hippos are also visible. A variety of over a century-old trees and plants make up the valley bottom, through which the river Kyambura meanders.

Travelers who are afraid to cross the gorge should observe it from above. With or without a tour guide, brave souls descend the gorge via well-traveled trails. This would be a great place for bird observers. Winged beauties flit from shrub to shrub, from a point on the water’s surface to a hidden heart in their daily activities in this heaven.

“There are many distinct eco-systems in the Gorge that must be protected,” says Nelson Guma, the area conservation manager for Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Uganda is a haven for birdwatchers, drawing lots of tourists there each year. Here, we’ll highlight a different bird every week. Currently, we examine the Grey Crowned Crane.

Often mistaken for the crested crane, Uganda’s national bird is the grey-crowned crane. It’s usually peaceful and welcoming, and it offers a fantastic walk. In 1893, it caught the attention of Sir Frederick Jackson, the governor of Uganda at the time, who sought permission to adorn the Union Jack with it as a symbol of the Uganda protectorate.

“His Majesty (George V) has accepted the golden crested crane being furthermore implemented as the logo to be placed on the flags flown by the governor of Uganda and all vessels belonging to the protectorate government,” was the British response to his request. Black, yellow, and red—the three colors also seen on the national flag—are found on its crown.

Cranes come in sixteen different types worldwide. Four, like our national bird, are in Africa. There is a threat to the grey crowned crane. People are using it for witchcraft, and its ecology is disappearing. Crowned cranes consume small reptiles, beetles, plant seeds, grass, and seafood. Crowned cranes mate for life and are monogamous. To entice partners, they execute elaborate courtship rituals that include dancing and making love calls.

You may be surprised to learn that several cultures use cranes to determine the time of day. They make calls at specific times, just like cocks. Cranes are capable of dancing when people sing and clap.

They breed in swamps, but sadly, massive wetlands reclamation in Uganda is decreasing their nesting sites. According to Nature Uganda, there are now fewer than 10,000 grey-crowned cranes in Uganda this year, compared to over 70,000 in the 1970s. The crowned cranes might disappear if drastic measures are not taken to secure them.