Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Part of the Koome group of islands, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is situated on Lake Victoria 23 kilometres south of Entebbe, Uganda. Out of its about 100 acres, 98 are covered in forest and divided from the tourist area by an electric fence. Over forty orphaned chimpanzees call Ngamba Island home. The island was first opened to visitors in October 1999.

The Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) was founded in 1997 by the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia), the Born Free Foundation (UK), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT). Its mission is to educate tourists and local communities about the value of protecting Ngamba Island’s fragile forest habitat and to provide these orphaned chimpanzees with a safe and secure place to live out their days, as a return to their natural habitat is not feasible.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Day Tour

After picking you up from your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe, our driving guide will take you to Entebbe Pier on the mainland, where you will board a boat to the island, which will take about 45 minutes by speedboat or 1½ hours by motorised traditional boat. See the chimpanzees being fed in the morning or afternoon from the visitors platform area along the sanctuary fence. You can also kayak, swim in the equator, see a nearby fishing village, go bird watching and have amazing wildlife encounters, or just unwind and sunbathe!

Get a view of two of the daytime feedings of chimpanzees from the visitors platform situated along the sanctuary fence. Additionally, enjoy unrestricted access to the other island amenities and alternative activities, as well as the feeding schedules for evening and early morning at the overnight chimpanzee holding facility.

Take a kayak around the island bays in search of wildlife, including otters, monitor lizards, and an abundance of birds (154 have been recorded). You can also visit a nearby fishing village, go on a sunset cruise, go fishing, or just unwind on the private deck of your tent, which overlooks the lake and is perfect for sundowners while watching thousands of bats emerge from the forest during a vibrant African sunset. Along with our camp staff, a CSWCT staff member will be living on the island during your stay at Ngamba and will be available to answer any questions you may have about chimpanzees and provide information.

Ngamba Island Caregiver for the day program

This is a fantastic programme that allows guests to become carers for a day and experience what it’s like to be a chimpanzee carer! As a chimp carer, you will have the unique opportunity to do more than just watch the chimps eat; you will also get to help prepare and feed them. This is a brand-new initiative designed to raise money for the welfare of our orphaned relatives on Ngamba Island while also educating guests about the challenges faced in providing for them. Therefore, the chimps receive a direct benefit from all programme earnings.

While you get to know and engage with every chimpanzee on the island as a carer, direct contact with them is not guaranteed and must be under the tight supervision of a resident carer.
There are quite detailed guidelines on vaccinations, medical needs, etc.