Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary, Ngamba Island is home to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It is one of nine islands in Lake Victoria that make up the Koome group. Kiimi, Nsazi, Koome, Bulago, and Damba Islands are also in the Koome group. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wild Conservation Trust (CSWCT) runs it. It is on the coast of Uganda, about 23 kilometers southeast of Entebbe. Six groups work with CSWCT to run the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary.

These groups are the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, the New South Wales Zoological Park, the Uganda Wildlife Society, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Jane Goodall Institute, the Born Free Foundation, and the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda.

The island is split into two main areas by an electric fence that keeps chimps away from people. The northern part of the island is mostly flat, while the southern half is about 3800 feet above sea level and has the island’s highest point. Chimp Island is another name for Ngamba Island.

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust has been around since 1998 and is a non-profit group whose goal is to give orphaned chimps safe places to live in their natural environment so they can live a healthy life. There are now 49 chimpanzees living on Ngamba Island. They were saved from people who were illegally selling them as pets or bush meat. One of the best things about Ngamba Island is that it gives the Chimpanzees a safe, relatively natural place to heal and finally do well.

Things to do on the island of Ngamba Sanctuary for chimpanzees

chimpanzee hiking

The most popular thing to do at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is to go chimpanzee hiking. The Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary is where this takes place. The island is home to over 49 chimps. These changes mean that visitors and travelers can enjoy activities with chimpanzees at a day care center and on the island.

Watching birds

One of the best places to see birds near Entebbe is on Ngamba Island. Many bird species live on the island, such as the Green Cuckoo, the Grey Heron, the Grey-crowned Crane, the Gull-billed Tern, the Hadada Ibis, the Harmerkop, the Little Egret, the Little Stilt, the White-faced Whistling Duck, the White-throated Bee Eater, the White-winged Tern, the Winding Cistocola, the Wood Sandpiper, the Woodland Kingfisher, the Yellow-billed Kites, the Black-headed Weavers, the Yellow-billed Duck, the African Fish Eagle, the Purple Swamphee, the African Green Pigeon, the African Marsh Harrier, the African Pigmy Goose, the Black Crake, the Black Herons, the Black Crake, and the Black Heron. In this area, we have seen the Purple Heron, the Red-eyed Dove, the Red-headed Lovebird, the Shining Blue Kingfisher, the Speckled Mousebird, the Spur-wing Goose, the Spur-winged Lapwing, the Swamp Flycatcher, the Weavers’ Black Weavers, the Village Weavers, the Water Thicknee, the Black-headed Heron, the Black-winged Stilt, the Blue Swallow, the Blue-cheepwing, and blue-bee eaters. Along the Ngamba trail, you can find many of these bright flowers by the water or in the trees.

Going fishing

Ngamba Island is on the shores of Lake Victoria, which is Africa’s biggest freshwater lake. It’s a great spot for fishing, with giant Nile perch, silverfish, and tilapia being the most common fish caught. When you go fishing in Lake Victoria, you will be with a knowledgeable guide and skilled fishermen who will tell you everything you need to know about the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Lake Victoria while you look for fish. When you interact with nature, you will also have a lot of enjoyable moments.

volunteer

There are two types of volunteer programs on Ngamba Island: one-week and four-week. During these programs, guests can directly help protect chimpanzees.

Volunteer Program for one week at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Over the course of the one-week training program, you will have the chance to observe chimpanzee behavior and learn more about the dangers they pose.

During your week of volunteer work at Ngamba Island, you will do things like record chimpanzee behavior, enter the data, keep the island’s facilities in good shape, watch wildlife, help with medical procedures, feed chimpanzees, and make food for them.

Volunteer Program at Ngamba for four weeks

This program includes more activities than the one-week volunteer program at Ngamba. They will do a number of things with you as part of this program.

Chimpanzee walks in the woods

You can join a group of baby chimpanzees on their hour-long walk through the forest as part of the Forest Walk event. This can happen either late in the afternoon or very early in the morning. Each walk through the forest can only have up to four people, and all of them must be guided by trained staff to make sure everyone stays safe and has a good time.

You will be with other chimpanzees that are between the ages of 1 year and 8 years old and will have close contact with some of them. When you sign up for this one-of-a-kind chance, you will be given very clear instructions about what to wear, cameras, glasses, and how to act. Some chimps are very used to people and will play-bite, climb on you, grab your glasses, pull your hair, or even walk along holding your hand because they are used to being around people.

To do the forest, walk, and caregiver activities on Ngamba Island, you need to stay overnight on the island in addition to what was said above about living on the island overnight. Certain physical and age limits will apply, so people who want to take part must meet these conditions.

Sunset cruise on Ngamba Island, home to chimpanzees

Chimpanzee refuge on Ngamba IslandIt’s possible to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience by seeing fishermen cast their nets, fishing towns winding down for the day, and, of course, the golden circle of nature’s eye. As you enjoy a cold drink with your sweetheart while crossing the equator from the southern to the northern hemispheres, it’s exciting to think about how far you’ve come.

Program for integrating infants

One fun thing that visitors can do at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is help baby chimpanzees become part of the bigger groups and people there. This is called the “infant integration program.” The chimps on Ngamba Island have become part of a single community. This is an ongoing process, so whenever they get a new chimpanzee, they go through the same steps to make them part of the group and the community.

At the moment, two babies have been brought into the holding center and are being housed with the other babies. They were just recently introduced to the bigger chimpanzees, and the smaller chimpanzees are slowly being introduced to them as they start to become part of the group from outside of cages.

Like the other people on the team that goes out with the babies in the enclosure, you will be able to help them by holding them if they need it while they are introduced to the young animals. They will go for a walk in the main forest after this step of integration is over to finish the process.

Visitors will be able to take part in the integration program by going to two classes a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Each session will last for an hour.

A boat ride through the chimpanzee refuge on Ngamba Island

After a long day at the Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary, you can take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Victoria to see how chimpanzees interact with each other and their surroundings. You will also get to see a variety of beautiful bird species, mostly water birds trying to catch fish in the lake.

Chimpanzees Take Care of Others on Ngamba Island Sanctuary for chimpanzees

To take part in this one-of-a-kind event, tourists will get to spend a day in the shoes of a chimpanzee caregiver by actually taking care of the animals. Being a chimp babysitter will let you do more than just watch them eat. You will also be able to help prepare their food and feed them yourself, which is very exciting.

You are welcome to help the staff with any tasks that need doing that day at the sanctuary, such as medical checks, study and monitoring, setting up the areas where the chimps will be kept, and so on. We’re starting a new program to help our guests understand and appreciate how much work it is to take care of our cousins who are orphans on Ngamba Island and raise money for their well-being. The staff will not only show you how to take care of these animals, but also what makes each one unique.

How to Get to Ngamba Island You can get to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Ngamba Island by speed boat, air, or ship.

By Speed Boat: You can ride in a speed boat or a motorized canoe. Guests can take a 45-minute speed boat ride from Entebbe to Ngamba Island or a 90-minute motorized canoe ride from Nakiwogo Dock. The chimpanzee refuge takes care of the transfers.

By boat: From Entebbe, you can take a ferry to Bugala. Once you get to Bugala, which is the main island, you can visit it. After that, get a cab to Ngamba Island.

By Air: Either Aerolink or Bar Aviation can hire a flight from Kajansi airstrip straight to Ngamba Island. This is how you can get to the island by air.

No matter what way you choose to enter, you must have a ticket to get into the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. You can buy the tickets at the Ngamba Island reservation office in Entebbe, on the island itself, or from a local trip operator who will help you.

When is the best time to visit Ngamba Island?

From June to late October, when it’s dry, is the best time to visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Island. During these months, rain is much less likely to get in the way of plans, and there are more chances to see wildlife on the island than during other months.

Where to stay on the island of Ngamba

The Ngamba Eco Lodge is one of the best places to stay in the area and is near the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. This lodge is perfectly placed right on the edge of Lake Victoria, with beautiful views of the water. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day at the Sanctuary with the chimpanzees.

At Ngamba Eco Lodge, there are 4 beautiful and luxurious cottages, 5 single tents, and 10 double tents. Each one has all the best amenities, like power and clean bathrooms with hot and cold water. At the Ngamba Eco Lodge, dinner is always served in the dining room with three courses.

We really like the tents and cottages because they are safe and cozy. They have everything you need for the night. There is a restaurant and bar with a full selection of drinks and food from around the world. The bar and restaurant at the lodge are fully stocked, and the staff is all taught in how to be a good host.

You can visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary along with many other things, such as an excursion to Ssese Island, a boat ride on Lake Victoria, swimming, fishing, or a trip to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.