Ngamba Island is situated 23km South East of Entebbe and lies at the mainland at 0.06`S – 32.39` E. Founded in 1998 by Jane Goodall, the Island spans over 100 acres of land surrounded by beautiful waters of Lake Victoria whereby 95 acres is forested. To provide a safe haven for these apes, the Island was mainly established as a sanctuary for orphaned and other chimpanzees rescued from rampant poaching.

The newly brought chimpanzees are first taken through the Induction and integration program. This is basically aimed for them to get used to the new environment and the community members.To avoid overcrowding of chimpanzees at the sanctuary, the management agreed not to allow these apes to breed. As a result, the sexually mature female chimpanzees are given a contraceptive implant. This implant does not affect the sexually normal behavior of these chimpanzees but only prevents their pregnancy. In conclusion, the Island stands tall to defend the rights of chimpanzees plus the need to show people in the community the importance of conserving nature and wildlife.

Description of Eastern chimpanzees

These social primates live in groups known as communities ranging from 20-150 members. They can easily be identified whereby the entire body is covered with coarse distinctive black hair. They have two pairs of limbs, with no tail, soles on their feet, bare face and as they age, their faces become pinkish. At standing height, the females can grow up to 3.5ft weighing from 30-60 kilograms. The male Eastern chimpanzees are a bit heavier and taller than the females with the height of 4ft weighing 50-100 kilograms. Since their arms are longer than the legs, they walk by knuckle movement but sometimes, they also exhibit Bipedalism movement. They are referred as the humans’ closest cousins because they share 99% of human genetic blueprint. This is evidenced by the different ways in how they do their daily activities by expressing their emotions, vocals and feelings.

These apes are omnivore’s foraging for seeds, fungi, leaves, insects, birds, rodents, fruits, etc. They also spend more time on the ground and only climb trees to feed or sleep in nests that are made in the trees. Females become sexual mature at the age of 13 years with a gestation of 8 months and usually give birth to one baby. This baby is weaned up to 3 years but they maintain the parental relationship with these babies until they became mature enough to cater for themselves. Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island are estimated to be having a life span from 50-60 due to the extra care given to them by the CSWCT trained care takers. A visit at Ngamba Island gives tourists a rewarding and entertaining experience of these wonderful creatures.  

Activities carried out at Ngamba Island

Watching chimpanzees

This is one of the main activities carried out here whereby guests are able to see our closest relatives from an elected fence as they do their daily activities. Since all the chimpanzees here are habituated, visitors are able to spend ample time with them. In addition, there is a raised platform where travelers stand to watch these amazing creatures. Because the chimpanzees are contagious, there is a platform to help them from contracting human ailments like COVID 19, flue, EBOLA, etc.  The happy chimpanzees usually entertain visitors as they rioter around, do summer suits, and do different vocalizations.

The forest walk experience

Half of the island is covered by the dense tropical rain forest with actually incredible biodiversity, making it a perfect place for forest walks. This experience is mainly given to guests who are going to stay at the island for more than two days. With a maximum number of 4 visitors, people enjoy the 1hour forest experience under the guidance of a trained CSWCT for their safety and edutainment. During the morning or late afternoon forest walk, fun just begins simply because you will a companied by chimpanzee juveniles ranging from 1-8 years.  A visit to this island will delight your day as they play, climb on you, grab your staff, walk while holding your hands since they are used to human contact.  

Induction and integration program for chimpanzees

 To avoid bulling by old residents, whenever new orphaned chimpanzees are brought to this island, they are first isolated from the existing communities. This is because they need to get used to the environment plus other chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. Guests here can register to enjoy this specific program and work with the CSWCT trainers to integrate new chimpanzees to the new environment in steps. This is basically done in different steps like feeding them, play with them, and take walks in deep forests with the intention of making them get used to the environment.

Chimpanzee care giving for a day experience

This program is only done for visitors who are staying for more than one day. It is because this unique experience gives guests enough time with the chimpanzees as their care taker. For a first-time visitor, it is not full work for the day but you will instead just assist the care givers to do certain duties. These include preparing the food, feeding, giving them medical checkups, research and monitoring the different chimpanzee patterns. This unique program helps visitors understand and learn how to appreciate the done at Ngamba island. 

Volunteering at the Island

To those who are passionate about primates, you should not miss out the volunteering program at the Island. This program lasts for about 4 weeks divided into 2 phases.

1. The first phase involves feeding chimps, making food for them, helping them with medication, cleaning the chimps’ nests plus gathering their scientific data. This is aimed for the volunteer to know these primates in a very personal way as they also get used to human beings.
2. The second phase involves outreach activities such as attending meeting in different parts of the country with organizations and companies that are interested in offering support to this program.

 The people who opt for this program are provided with accommodation, meals not forgetting free internet. Additionally, they are given free time to engage in other activities like visiting the nearby villages.

Long stay visits program activity

To be eligible, one has to stay at the island for a while so that enough time is created with the chimpanzees. To those who partake in this long stay program activity, join the highly experienced and trained care takers that are in charge of these chimps. While here, travelers usually take part in activities like cleaning the chimpanzee cages, cooking chimpanzee food, data collection, entry and analysis and helping the construction projects at the island.

Sunset cruise

After a long day working with the primates, guests who visit this sanctuary for more than one day are given a rewarding experience to catch the magnificent sights of Lake Victoria. During this adventure, guests have a chance to explore Africa’s largest lake plus the aquatic life. Therefore, don’t forget to carry your cameras and phones for photography.

Fishing

To those who are staying for more than a day, fishing expeditions are organized here for full or half day. The Island is one of the excellent places where fishing excursions can be carried out with different fish species like Nile perch not leaving out the delicious tilapia fish.

How to get there

The sanctuary can only be accessed by boat or helicopter whereby booking can be arranged by Ngamba Island reservations or you can opt to book with Ram Safaris. Regardless of the transport means you opt for, expect to meet the joyful chimpanzees ready to give you the memorable experience. To those who want to use water transport means, can always dock off from UWEC or Water front beach. If you use a speed boat it takes approx. 45-50 minutes while a traditionally motorized boat takes approx.  90 minutes. Visitors who opt to use air transport means it takes 20 minutes from Kajjansi Airstrip respectively.

Accommodation

Ngamba Island offers accommodation ranging from luxury, midrange and budget depending on your budget. Tents and cottages are built close to the lake shores offering unforgettable views as you enjoy the sounds of waves plus the vocalizations of chimpanzees.