Established in 1998 to provide a safe home for rescued chimpanzees while also caring for the environment & other wildlife on the island; Ngamba Island is an astonishing place to visit both for the thrill of knowing that you are visiting your closest relatives the chimpanzee at Ngamba Island and also the opportunity to directly contribute to their well–being and overall conservation of the species.
The sanctuary is currently a safe and semi-natural home environment to 49 rescued and orphaned chimps. These closest relatives of man have an expanse of 95 acres of natural forest land on this beautiful island where they can wander and scavenge as they about their daily lives. They have the freedom to stay in the forest at night or return to nighttime enclosures, where they construct nests and receive an evening meal.
Visiting tourists have an opportunity to feed them from a viewing platform where they get to observe and experience these beautiful creatures up close.
This Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a perfect and uncommon place to spend time watching chimpanzees as they play, socialize, and go about their lives.
Twist Africa offers an amazing 3 DAY CHIMPANZEES AND FISHING ADVENTURE but also can tailor make any trip to the chimp island. There are several fascinating experiences that you can be part of while on this island including;
UP-CLOSE CHIMPANZEE ENCOUNTER
This is a unique opportunity to have a close-up experience with the chimps. It involves delivering the fruits and vegetables to the chimps from the raised viewing platform and water edges, chimp data entry into the database, participate in chimp environmental enrichment, monitoring chimpanzee behaviors and, maintaining the facilities. In case you are spending a night on the island, a morning forest walk is another unique experience. This walk permits direct contact with the chimps, mostly the young ones. These walks are for a maximum of 4 people and last one hour.
FISHING CRUISES
This adventure takes place on Lake Victoria, offering an opportunity of hooking the Nile Perch, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. The “catch and release” of Nile Perch experience is allowed from about 4 hours to full day on the lake. Certified trained and experienced skippers will be your guides for this adventure with intimate knowledge of the lake.
SUNSET CRUISE ON LAKE VICTORIA
A cruise on one of the largest lakes in the world is a surreal experience as you enjoy the view of fishermen casting their nets, spectacular views of nature, fishing villages as they wind down the day and, the golden circular site of nature’s eye going to sleep. An afternoon cruise by boat out towards the equator line or local islands to view the sun over the horizon as you enjoy a snack and a cold drink in romantic bliss.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Uganda being diverse in cultural heritage, makes the opportunity to share our culture exciting when we have guests. Ngamba arranges cultural performances by the bonfire, in the night, giving a unique cultural experience to guests through interacting, performing, drumming and, storytelling.
VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCES
Volunteering involves caregiving to these orphaned and vulnerable man’s closest relatives through taking care of their welfare; preparing their food, and environmental enrichment, cleaning, behavior observation, record keeping, and community work. It can also go as far as giving them medical help. This act is a direct contribution towards the conservation of chimpanzee species and the local communities but also getting to know them by having a full day in their company. If you can stay longer, you get an opportunity to work alongside sanctuary caregivers and observe chimpanzee behavior, look for ways to enrich chimpanzee behavior and, improve the island’s infrastructure.
STUDENT SUMMER CAMP/ STUDY TRIPS
The student’s camp at the chimp island offers sanctuary adventures for children aged 10 – 17 during school breaks. The 3-day long course comprises different themes aimed at spurring the understanding, appreciation and, practical skills in chimpanzee behavior and conservation as well as other global environmental issues. Students learn from the experienced staff at the sanctuary including the caregivers, educators and, veterinarians all in simplistic but fun experiences. Students learn about chimpanzee behavior, birding, plant identification, and chimpanzee enrichment. They design chimpanzee enrichment articles and observe the chimps using them.
HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND
There are different types of boats catering to various groups and budgets. Boats can be booked through the Ngamba Island Reservations Office: Speedboat travel from the dock in Entebbe to Ngamba Island is approximately 45-50 minutes; travel by traditional motorized canoe takes approximately 90 minutes and by air it’s approximately 20 minutes from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Air strip.
No matter which method you choose for travel, pre-purchased entrance tickets from the Ngamba Island Reservations Office must be shown upon arrival at the island.
Other primate safaris
3 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari