Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established to care for these orphaned chimpanzees that have been rescued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority from poachers and traders, with no chance of survival back to the wild.
It is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.
Located 23 km offshore from Entebbe, Ngamba Island is 100 acres (approximately 40 hectares) near the equator in Lake Victoria, Uganda.
It supports a rich diversity of natural wildlife (over 120 species of bird, hippos, a crocodile, monitor lizards) and provides a variety of natural foods for the chimpanzees. The island is set up as an eco-friendly project with compost toilets, rainwater collection, proper waste management practices and solar energy (for electricity and hot water).
When young chimps first arrive on the island, they are not immediately mixed in with the adults. New comers need to be protected from the adults because chimpanzees will not instantly accept a stranger into their group. New arrivals are kept in a large cage and every day a few of the resident adult chimps are brought in to become acquainted with them. Ngamba offers the traveller the opportunity to observe these great apes in their natural habitat. Saved from a life in captivity they have been bought to Ngamba for care and rehabilitation. For their safe keeping the chimpanzees are fenced into an area of the island where they are free to roam in the forest but are also fed twice a day from the viewing platforms. Day trips, overnight stays and also walks with the chimps in the forest can be arranged.
To walk with the chimps is quite an experience with them play biting and pulling your hair! Please note however that travellers require extensive inoculations to walk with the chimps. Accommodation on the island is in smart self-contained tents with views out over Lake Victoria.
People all over the world enjoy exclusive boat rides to the sanctuary to view the chimpanzees at close range from a raised platform in a day tour at either 11:00am or 2:00pm feeding.
Visitors can choose to enjoy a guided trip around the island to view its beauty and richness closely. Other activities include; volley ball, badminton, darts, shopping at the island shop, sun bathing, hammock relaxation, and reading.
The satisfaction comes from the fact that your visit directly contributes to the orphaned chimpanzees’ welfare as well as conservation of the endangered species.
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Jan M, 5 months ago
We spent two nights on the island and participated in the Forest Walk one morning. It is a special experience to walk with the chimps, touch them, carry them – well worth the money. I would highly recommend this over just spending a few hours on the island watching a feeding. The tented accommodation was very nice, great food, bathroom/shower facilities are just fine. The caregivers are an exceptional group of dedicated individuals. Staying overnight allowed for more interaction with them. We learned more about the care of the chimps and the issues with conservation. Amazing bird watching during the ‘downtime’ between chimp activities. Follow the guidelines so you have the necessary inoculations and plan to stay on the island and interact with the chimpanzees.
thel4mb Vienna, Austria, 5 months ago
We did the long stay visitor program – for 2 weeks – and its really worth it.
You’ll be there to feed the chimpanzees, maintain their habitats and go with them on forest walks. The tented camp where you live (directly on the Island) is very nice, with your own terrace and Patrick (the manager) gonna take care of you and cook wonderful meals.
Lilly, the executive director, is a very nice person and we had much fun with all the staff. Be sure to visit also the neighboring islands.
There is no other place like this on the planet.
Mandy, 5 months ago
I went to the sacntuary on Lake Victoria (it took a good 40 minutes on speed boat to get there which was a brilliant start to the experience), and it is just a beautiful, relaxing and peaceful refuge where you can see chimps in what is very nearly the wild. Watch as they climb trees and groom each other but are left to their own devices in hectares of land – they come close to the viewing platform at organised feeds so that you can watch them and take pictures. The keepers are so passionate about their animals and look after their welfare in an inspiring way. A unique place to visit, especially on a gorgeous summer day.
Joen SouthAfrica, 3 months ago
We had a lovely day at the sanctuary which began with a beautifully calm boat ride. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and oozed genuine passion for chimpanzees. This is a must do activity whilst visiting Kampala.