Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary; Activities, Prices & more

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary located on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria, is a leading primate conservation initiative in Uganda established in 1998 as a non-profit organization to hold and take care of the orphaned and rescued chimpanzees that cannot be reintroduced back to the wild.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary occupies about 100 acres of land of which 98 are covered in forests making it a suitable natural habitat where chimps can thrive.

Chimpanzees in Uganda, like their counterparts in other parts of Africa, face numerous challenges that have significantly reduced their numbers.

These include poaching for meat and the pet trade, as well as deforestation for logging, agriculture, and settlement.

Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary is home to over 50 chimps who are a victim of conservation challenges offering them a permanent home making it one of the best spots for chimpanzee tours in Uganda.

This home features wild food from the rich forest, daily supplementary foods such as fruits and vegetables ensuring that they get a balanced diet, and comprehensive veterinary care service which includes daily health checkups and medications where necessary to ensure their well-being.

The natural forest of the sanctuary enables chimps to live just like their counterparts, such as the habituated chimps of Budongo and Kibale Forest National Park.

They can interact, form strong relationships, and thereby create complex social groups, which are crucial for their mental and emotional well-being as social animals.

In addition to the rich natural forest, the sanctuary offers chimpanzees mental stimulation activities such as toys, puzzle feeders, and other challenging activities that stimulate their advanced problem-solving abilities.

Ngamba chimp sanctuary is a protected sanctuary, with some parts that are exposed to intruders well strategically located in the heart of Lake Victoria, hence surrounded by waters which are acting as barriers from intruders.

Some parts that are very open to intruders are well-fenced and feature armed rangers ensuring the safety of the chimps from poachers, predators, and any other potential threats that may be encountered in the wild.

The sanctuary offers chimps rehabilitation which is aimed at getting them used to the new environment featuring human presence.

It also helps them them recover from the trauma specifically for the rescued chimps from poachers, wildlife traffickers, and chimp circuses which are common in countries like Tanzania, Congo, Burundi, and Uganda.

As mentioned earlier, the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary also known as Chimp Island is under the management of Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT).

This partners with like other 6 wildlife conservation organizations namely Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, Uganda Wildlife Authority, International Fund for Animal Welfare, New South Wales Zoological Park, and Born Free Foundation. All these are dedicated to protecting and caring of the endangered chimps and their natural habits.

Besides the sanctuary offering endangered chimps permanent homes, it also offers visitors exceptional opportunities to get close encounters with these fascinating primates.

The sanctuary offers voluntary programs for those visitors who may be interested in the hands-on conservation work through assisting on the day-to-day activities at the sanctuary some of which include feeding, keeping their environment clean, and helping with the educational programs.

While at the sanctuary, visitors also have the opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife species, such as birds. Some of the popular birds found here include African fish eagles, cattle egrets, pied kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, and cormorants.

Additionally, reptiles like monitor lizards and Nile crocodiles are often seen basking by the lake shores. The waters around the sanctuary are rich in aquatic life, with numerous fish species such as tilapia and Nile perch being sighted and fished by the shore.

Visitors can also observe different invertebrates, butterflies, and fruit bats, providing an immersive experience at this destination.

Top 8 Thrilling Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Activities

Ngamba Island has a variety of outdoor adventurous activities to be enjoyed by its guests and the main ones include;

• Chimpanzee Encounters
• Boat Cruise on Lake Victoria
• Bird Watching
• Sunset Cruise
• Community visits

Let us have a look at them in details;

Chimpanzee Encounters; This is the key activity at the Ngamba chimp sanctuary offering visitors exceptional opportunities to view chimps in their natural habitats.

During the feeding sessions, visitors have the chance to get up close to the chimpanzees, interact with them, and even touch them under the guidance of the sanctuary’s staff.

This provides visitors with a deep understanding of the chimpanzees’ lives, including hearing about their individual stories, how they were found and rescued, and learning about their natural behaviors from their caretakers.

Caregiver for a Day Program; Visitors have the opportunity to spend a full day as a chimpanzee caregiver. They will assist in preparing food, feeding the chimpanzees, and keeping their environment clean.

This immersive experience provides visitors with great opportunities to learn about the chimps and the potential challenges that come with their conservation.

This experience enables visitors to understand what caregivers go through while taking care of the chimps. A caregiver program starts in the morning depending on the convenience time of the visitor.

Boat Cruise on Lake Victoria; The sanctuary offers visitors a guided boat cruise on the waters around the sanctuary, providing an immersive experience in the natural beauty of the island.

During the boat safari, visitors have the opportunity to spot various aquatic wildlife, including different bird species, crocodiles, and occasionally hippos.

Boat cruise safaris are best enjoyed in the evening, towards sunset, offering a relaxing and enjoyable experience with stunning views of Africa’s largest water body, Lake Victoria.

Bird Watching; Ngamba Island is home to numerous bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers. The sanctuary offers guided birding tours that take you to different sections of the forest to catch a glimpse of the vibrant bird species.

More birds can also be sighted during boat safaris on the lake. Birdwatching at the sanctuary can be done before or after other adventurous activities, offering an enjoyable experience while at the sanctuary.

Sunset Cruise; Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary offers visitors boats to enjoy a scenic sunset cruise on Lake Victoria. The cruise features breathtaking views of the sunset over the Victoria waters, offering a relaxing way to end the day in the natural beauty of the region.

Community visits; The sanctuary offers visits to the nearby local communities where visitors get insights into their lives, learn about their local cultures, enjoy local cuisines from different restaurants found there, and interact with the local people. These are best done in the evening and are led by a local guide from the sanctuary.

Overnight Stay; For those looking to extend their visit, the sanctuary offers overnight accommodations in comfortable tented camps. Staying overnight provides a more in-depth experience, allowing guests to hear the nighttime sounds of the island and participate in additional activities.

Long Stay Visitor Programme; These were specifically created for those visitors who wish for an extended stay at the sanctuary. These are much sought after by visitors who would wish to volunteer to assist with the daily activities and conservational programs.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Prices

The prices for visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary can vary depending on the type of experience you choose, whether you’re visiting for a day or planning to stay overnight.

Below is an overview of the typical costs associated with different activities and packages, though it’s important to check with the sanctuary directly or through a tour operator for the most up-to-date pricing.

A Half-Day Chimpanzee Viewing (Morning or Afternoon) costs about $ 188 per individual. The fee includes a Boat transfer from Entebbe to Ngamba Island and back, guided chimpanzee viewing, and entrance fees.

A Full-Day Tour costs about $ 365 per individual and the fee Includes a boat transfer, guided chimpanzee viewing, lunch, and other activities like bird watching or community visits.

A Caregiver for a Day Program costs about $200 per individual and the fee Includes a full day of hands-on activities, including preparing food, feeding the chimps, learning about their care, and participating in daily routines.

A Single Occupancy Tent for an overnight stay costs about USD 400 per person per night. This fee includes Accommodation, meals, guided chimpanzee viewing, and a sunset boat cruise.

Double Occupancy Tent for an overnight stay costs about USD 300 per person per night and the fee includes Accommodation, meals, guided chimpanzee viewing, and a sunset boat cruise.

Special Activities like Sunset Cruise cost USD 70 per person and have a 1 to 2-hour duration, Fishing Excursions cost about USD 100 per person and the fee includes a Boat, equipment, and guide.

Additional costs:

Boat Transfers If not included in your package, the round-trip boat transfers from Entebbe to Ngamba Island typically cost around $80 – USD 100 per person.

A conservation fee of about USD 20 per person may also be applicable to support the sanctuary’s efforts.

These prices are estimates and can fluctuate based on factors such as the season, group size, or special promotions. It’s advisable to book in advance and confirm all costs directly with the sanctuary or through an authorized travel agent.

Here’s a table summarizing the prices and packages for visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary:

Volunteering at Ngamba Island

These prices are estimates and can vary based on season, group size, and other factors. Always confirm the latest rates with the sanctuary or an authorized travel agent.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary volunteer