Established in 1998, and managed by CSWCT (Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust),  Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides a safe heaven for 33 confiscated orphaned chimps. Situated 23km offshore from Entebbe, in Lake Victoria Uganda, beautiful Ngamba Island is almost 100 acres in size and boasts over 50 different types of vegetation that chimps utilize: the chimps are free to roam at their will, exploring their environment and foraging for food. Visits offer a unique opportunity for close viewing of chimpanzees in their natural forested environment. Pre-arranged supplementary feeding times bring the chimpanzees to within metres of the raised walkway specially designed for easy viewing. Excellent photographic opportunities are available as well as just enjoying being near to one of our closest animal relatives with much behaviour similar to ours! Full Day & Half day Boat Trips Your tour operator (safari driver/guide) will pick you up and transfer you to Entebbe Pier where you will be briefed about your excursion trip. You then take either a speed boat or a traditional boat, weather dependent. On arrival, visitors are ushered to the island’s Interpretation Centre where a guide gives them an orientation talk. Then visitors move to the viewing platform to observe the chimps during their supplementary feeding times. Here you are free to explore the island’s visitor’s area and enjoy the facilities. The trip may either be whole day or half day. Food & Drinks Beers, mineral water & sodas are available for sale on the island and from the boat. Lunch options are either to take a picnic lunch from your hotel or to have the local traditional lunch prepared on the Island by an organized community based women group. What to Wear & Pack Dress informally: T-shirt or swimsuit and shorts are fine. If weather is inclement, be prepared to get wet from the spray as the lake can get quite choppy. Bring along a sweater or light jacket in case it is windy. Sandals or trainers are recommended. Bring as much sun protection as possible – hats, sunglasses, SPF creams etc. as it can be quite hot out on the lake. Don’t forget your camera for all those close-up shots of chimps (!) and binoculars if you are keen on birdlife. All equipment should be protected from the wet in a plastic bag. Please note: Ngamba Island restricts smoking to designated areas only. INFORMATION SHEET – OVERNIGHT TRIPS Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Situated in Uganda 23km off shore from Entebbe on Lake Victoria is the new Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary. It has been set up by a group of concerned organisations including Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in order to offer a facility for 25 orphaned chimpanzees where they can co-habitat in a near natural environment. The beautifully forested tropical island is almost 100 acres in size and boasts over 50 different types of vegetation that the chimps utilize. The chimpanzees are free to roam this forest, exploring their environment and foraging for food at their leisure. These lucky chimpanzees were saved from being destined for life as a pet or in a lab in the west. They were all confiscated by authorities and brought to the Wildlife Education Centre for care and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, chimps are still being illegally taken out the wild and sanctuaries like this one are needed throughout Africa. Several wildlife organisations are determined to stop this exploitation and to help these animals and Ngamba is one of the projects supported by them. You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the costs of running the island sanctuary and ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees. The project also welcomes donations. Your driver/guide will pick you up from your hotel transfer you to Entebbe wildlife Education area and your overnight trip will depart from the Entebbe pier at 1330 hrs. Transportation by boat to the island is approximately 45minutes by speedboat. Once on the island you are free to explore the visitors area and enjoy the facilities. Swimming, kayaking, bird watching (154 recorded), sunset cruise or fishing are some of the optional activities available. While you are settling in our camp staff will erect the tented camp which consists of 2 person, walk in, dome tents (2.5m X 2.5m) with stretcher beds, mattresses and bedding. The tents are all mosquito proof with the windows having netting. A mess area is also erected where meals will be served. Tables and chairs are supplied. The island has compost toilets and a shower area is also available. Showers are “bush showers” and hot water is provided upon request. Chimpanzee viewing is the main activity and the daily viewing times are as follows: 6.30am – Early morning feeding at the overnight holding facility. Here you are given an opportunity to see the chimps early morning routine while the keepers feed them their early morning porridge and release them out into the forest for the day. 11.00am – The chimps come out of the forest to the edge of the sanctuary where they are fed by the keepers. A raised viewing platform along the edge allows you to view the chimps from very close up and also provides good photographic opportunities. 3.00pm – This is the afternoon feeding where the chimps come back to the edge of the sanctuary where they are fed by the keepers. Another opportunity for you to view the chimps from very close up and more photographic opportunities. 6.30pm – The chimps are allowed into the overnight holding facility and checked for any medical conditions whilst being fed their evening porridge. You can watch them make their nests for the night and settle into their bed time routine. The Kimii Island Women’s group (next door island) provide beers and sodas for sale on the island. Purified drinking water is provided free of charge. Visitors requiring other drinks should bring them along with them. Don’t forget to pack your camera or video to capture those charismatic chimps on film! We also recommend that a torch, swimming gear, suntan lotion, insect repellant, reading book and hat are carried along with to the island. Enjoy your stay!