NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY

Ngamba Island is located off shores from Entebbe, Lake Victoria the biggest lake in east Africa; it’s about 23 km from the main land. The sanctuary is sited on about 100m acres in size. It was recognized as a refugee camp to chimpanzee in 1998, and it’s managed by Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) the sanctuary houses over 33 confiscated orphaned chimps. Not only chimps that live in the area but it also boast over 50 different species of vegetation that chimps consume, you can’t also fail to spot various species of birds. Chimps are free to roam at any time exploring their environment and foraging for food. During the feeding time, visitors to the Island are fortunate to join the guide feeding of chimps and the feeding time brings the chimps to within meters of the raised fence which offers good photography and viewing of our close relatives who shares almost 98% of human DNA it’s really a great opportunity. By visiting the sanctuary you’re supporting this project and the entry fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the costs of running the sanctuary and ensuring the wellbeing of the chimpanzees.

A safari to the island

You will be picked up at the airport or hotel by our safari driver-guide who will brief you about the safari and later transfer you to the island. You will take a boat or a ferry to the island which is about 45kms if you take a speed boat. When you arrive at the island you are free to explore the visitor’s center and enjoy the facility. You may decide to enjoy optional activities like swimming, Kayaking, Bird watching, over 150 species of birds are recorded in the area, enjoy sun set cruise or fishing along the lake. Dinner and an overnight at the island

Go chimpanzee viewing which is the main activity done at the island and the daily viewing times are as follows:

The first feeding session begins at 6.30am, here you are fortunate to see the chimps early in the morning in a close eye while the guide feeding them with porridge and then after they are let to go back in forest to begin the day. 

The 2nd feeding session commence at around 11.00am, the chimps get out of the forest to feeding platform along the edge and here viewing them is very clear and photography is fantastic, you can also get the opportunity to join the chimp keepers in feeding them, it’s really very amazing watching the chimps eye to eye in their natural environment.

Another opportunity for photography and watching is at 3.00pm which is the afternoon feeding; chimps come to the feeding platform to receive their meals. They are fabulous fan to watch when seizing food from one another; it’s really a memorable experience to view chimps in a close distance. After they are allowed into the overnight facility and checked for any medical condition, in the evening session you can get opportunity of watching them making their nest for the night. You are recommended to come with your camera, swimming gears if interested in swimming, suntan lotion, insect repellent. There are a lot of bears and sodas for sell at the island but Visitors requiring other drinks should bring them along with them. with elephant safaris ltd we are ready to take you to the island and spend some good time with these giants