Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria and the Sanctuary is home to over 50 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa gazetted in 1998. 95% of the sanctuary land is set aside for chimp conservation that has been rescued from across East Africa. Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust), an NGO, is responsible for all aspects of the sanctuary and it is deeply committed to and involved in both field conservation and community education and they work closely with the Ugandan government and wildlife authorities. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is situated at 95 acres of nature forest where chimps are conserved and given this nature setting, that enable chimpanzees to live up to 60 years. The chimps can stay in the forest all day and return late for nesting and getting their evening meal.
Ngamba island provides you the best opportunity to observe chimpanzees and taking pictures at close range. You will be able to observe their behavior including feeding, mating among others. Caring for these chimpanzees is a 24/7 role and visitors will have a chance to feed them as part of their conservation program.
Getting to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Being the island, its accessed by either travelling on water or by air. You can travel with a speed boat from Entebbe to the island which takes about 40-50 Minutes or travel with a traditional canoe that takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can fly from Kajansi to Ngamba island which takes about 20 minutes.
Ngamba island offers both day and half trips to visitors or you can choose to have an over night stay and have an exceptional opportunity to observe and interact with these chimpanzees. While on the sanctuary, you will be able to see other animal species like monitor lizards and other species of birds.
Its recommended to book your trip directly with Ngamba island information office or you book with the reliable travel company to ensure your safety and enhanced experiences. Upon arrival and checking in the booking office, the guides will give a briefing about the island, its history and how it has evolved, conservation programs and its contribution to the residents and surrounding communities.
You will participate in the feeding of these chimps as one of the activities, which takes place from the viewing plat form located along the edge of the sanctuary. You will watch chimpanzees excitingly getting fed. This activity however has terms and conditions set by the management of the sanctuary which will be explained to you before this activity.
Tourists can participate in other activities like community visits, bird watching and looking out for a few existing wildlife existing in the island.
Timing of the activities;
Ngamba island has activities that take place both morning and in the afternoon. Morning from 9;00am-1;00pm, and afternoon from 12;45pm to 5;00pm
Tariff;
Ngamba island owns boats and canoes that are scheduled to take clients to and from. You need to book it in advance to ensure your sit is reserved in order to avoid disappointments. The prices include the boat to and from the island, entrance fees and viewing fees. The prices are as follows;
Speed boat; This takes about 45min from Entebbe;
1 person at $326,
2 people at $168,
3 people 118,
4 people $88
Motorised canoe; This takes about 90 min from Entebbe
6 people at $84 per person
7 people at $78 per person
8 people at $73 per person
Other places
There are other places that harbor chimpanzees in Uganda and support chimp tourism activities including chimp tracking and chimp habituation experience. They include; Kibale Forest national park, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest and Kalinzu forest
