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Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary also known as “Chimp Island” is home to orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust), an NGO, is responsible for all aspects of the sanctuary. Deeply committed to and involved in both field conservation and community education, we work closely with the Ugandan government and wildlife authorities. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the leading primate conservation initiative in Uganda. Chimpanzees in Uganda, like elsewhere in Africa are threatened by poaching and deforestation. As more and more of their natural habitats are reduced to small patches of forests, they are forced to come into conflict with humans.

The Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary was opened as a non-profit in 1998 to cater for orphaned chimps that had been rescued from poachers, wildlife traffickers. Most of the chimpanzees in the sanctuary were rescued from poachers who make good profits by selling them in the pet market or for meat. While in transit with their captors or when waiting to be sold, they are kept in a deplorable state and have to endure great difficulty leaving most traumatized.

How to get to Ngamba Island

Most of the boats park and depart from waterfront beach in Entebbe close to the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. Boats of many shapes and sizes are available to accommodate a wide range of interests and price points.

Depending on your mode of transportation, getting to Ngamba Island from Entebbe, whether by speedboat (which takes 45–50 minutes), traditional powered canoe (which takes about 90 minutes), or plane (20 minutes) is possible.
Helicopters and hired boats can also be reserved for big groups and occasions. To arrange transportation to the island, please get in touch with our reservations team.

Activities in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

The island sanctuary of Ngamba offers an array of options that will satisfy any tourist. There are half- and full-day tours, three-day tours and a special honeymoon package, as well as a stay at Ngamba Island Tented Camp. By visiting the island and paying a fee, one contributes to cost of ensuring the well-being of the primates. Visitors to the sanctuary have an opportunity to spot the chimps, feed them and take part in other activities within the island including boat cruises, fishing, swimming and relaxation/sunbathing. The chimpanzees in Ngamba island are well taken care of space in the island is limited. To avoid overcrowding, the chimps are stopped from reproducing by using modern birth control methods. You will receive personal attention from an internationally trained staff and observe the chimpanzee residents from a raised viewing platform that provides a full view of their behavior and interactions.

Visitors staying for a night or more, can expect to sleep in luxurious tents with showers and comfortable beds. The tents and cottages are built close to the Lake Shores that offer amazing scenery. Spending the night in the island outside the tent is beautiful. During the night, one can enjoy the sounds of the waves and chimpanzee.