NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY

Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary is an island chimpanzee sanctuary in Uganda and a home of all orphaned chimpanzees from various parts of East Africa. These chimpanzees are being rescued by the Uganda Wildlife authority. The sanctuary was opened as a non-profit organization in 1998 and is the leading primate conservation initiative in the country.

Initially, Chimpanzees were mostly threatened by deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and poaching in most of the parts in East Africa before their sanctuary.

Situated in the mighty Lake Victoria, the Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary is surrounded by beautiful fresh waters of Lake Victoria and covers a total area of 100 acres, it is very close to Entebbe town – home of the country’s biggest airport. It also carries pride as one of the leading primate sanctuaries in the world and one of the best spots to sight these human-like primate species.

Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary shelters about 50 chimpanzee individuals currently though initially at its opening sheltered about only 19 of them.  Apart from being home to the orphaned chimpanzees, the island sanctuary is a member of the Pan African sanctuary alliance and it attracts a wide range of famous researchers from all over the world.

The tours commence at about 8:00 am in the morning where they are done in two shifts and the next one starts in the afternoon up to 5:00pm in the evening. The tour guides share the island’s rich history and how it came to be a chimpanzee sanctuary then led to to go view the human like chimpanzees feeding and having a good time.

The sweet sounds of birds, beautiful scenery and fresh waters of lake Victoria are some of the attention catching moments while at the island. The primate human-like species can be sighted better on a raised platform especially after hearing the sirens from their caregivers.

The awesome lifestyle, feeding habits and interactions of the chimpanzees are exceptionally interesting. Chimpanzees can be dramatically seen using sticks to fetch fruits that are nearby while some stand while begging food from their caregiver as they are funnily clapping hands to be seen.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AT NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY.

Fishing.

There are interesting fishing activities carried out while at the island where visitors can choose to spend a day or half of it fishing some of the fish types like Tilapia and Nile perch. Visitors are allowed to come with their fishing equipment and the most passionate thing about the activity is to grab bigger fish because they always know their location.

Forest nature walks.

This is where the visitors get to learn more about the animals and plants on the island. Forest nature walks  at Ngamba are absolutely soothing. During nature walks at the island, visitors can also have a chance to walk with the chimpanzees, play and learn about them.

HOW TO GET TO NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY?

The island sanctuary is situated in the middle of lake Victoria and offers great opportunities to visitors and tourists to view these wonderful human-like species in the middle of this magnificent lake.

So to get to the sanctuary, visitors must use water means of transport by speed boats and flights from Entebbe airport to the island. The boats however vary in size and volume loaded. For safety on the water, these boats are well equipped with life jackets and fire extinguishers.

Visitors can sit at the waterfront beach just at the Entebbe zoo widely known as Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. The tour companies can assist visitors in bookings at the Ngamba Reservations office or the visitors may personally reach out to the office.

The transport costs charged depends on the number of people loaded and the type of the boat used. Visitors who prefer to move alone and individually may be highly charged compared to the ones moving in groups. Tickets to access the island sanctuary must be carried and the speed boats can take about 50 minutes to reach the island.