1 Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour

per person

1 Day

Ngamba Island, the Chimpanzee Island

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located on Lake Victoria, 23km off the shores in Entebbe. Measuring about 100 acres of which 95 is forest, the island hosts over 49 orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees, 20 of which are male and 29 are females. Founded in 1998, the island is part of the Koome group of islands located in Lake Victoria and has parts of grassland that make up an estimated 10% of the island. The chimps were rescued from poachers, traffickers, captivity and conflict areas during the illegal pet and game meat trade.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is open to tourists for visits to observe the chimps and learn about their social structures. It is one of the most popular tourist sites near Kampala and Entebbe. Money from tourism is channelled into catering for the Chimpanzees and conserving the island. The chimps at the island can even thrive to over 60 years, despite their past history that involves trauma due to the care and monitoring that is done by veterinarians, volunteers, island staff etc.

The 1 Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour offers tourists the chance to see the Chimps during the supplementary feeding times when they come out of the forest to a clearing where fruits are thrown by the caretakers who stand with the tourists on raised platform behind the a wire fence around the forest.

Since the island has over 50 vegetation types, the chimps normally forage within the forest but supplemation helps to maintain and improve health. There are two supplementary feeding times in a day, one in the morning at about 10am and the afternoon at about 3pm. Supplemation involves admnistering fruits like tomatoes, pineapples, carrotsetc. The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary tour is good for families with kids since there is no age restriction for the chimp experience.

There is also other wildlife and nature to be observed at the Ngamba Chimpanzee Island Sanctuary such as monitor lizards, snakes and birds. Such bird species include the king fishers, Egyptian goose, the singing black headed weavers etc. Tourists also get to enjoy tranquility and peace away from bustle and hustle of the city while taking in the beautiful sights across Lake Victoria. On this Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour, you will have a boat cruise, sights of birds, photographic moments and other activities.

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What to bring: Sun screen is advisable. Binoculars are important for bird enthusiasts.
Included

Accommodation

Car hire

Fuel

Guide

Insurance

Meals

Transport
Not Included

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Tour Plan

1

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Transfer to Ngamba Island for the Chimps Experience You will be picked from your residence by our tour guide, either at 7:30am for the morning session of the half day program OR at 10:30am for the afternoon session of the half day program. Drive to Entebbe to find the speed boat and the sanctuary representatives that will continue with you to the Ngamba island for the chimpanzee experience. Along the way, you will view a lot of birds and people conducting business on the lake. On arrival to the Island, you will you will be taken to the visitor’s or interpretation center where you will be briefed about the project, its history, the chimpanzees as well as the various activities that can be done at the island. You will stand at the visitors’ platform, a raised viewing platform from which you will see the chimpanzees feed and being supplemented. Do not forget to take photos. Return after the experience to find your driver and drive back home.

Tour Location

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Note that this is the only chimpanzee experience without age limit restriction and kids are most welcome.
The first boat leaves Entebbe at the water area next to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre pier at 8:45 am while the Afternoon one Departs at 12:45 pm and returns at 5:00 pm. It's important therefore to book in advance.
The facility offers both day and overnight trips.