Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the largest of its kind in Uganda, was established in 1997 to provide a home for over 40 orphaned chimpanzees. Situated on Lake Victoria, it draws primate enthusiasts during their safaris in Uganda. Many visitors enjoy observing the chimpanzees as they play and feed within the forested area. Spanning about 100 hectares, 98% of this land is covered in forest. The chimpanzees here are orphans, rescued from poachers in various protected regions of Uganda and nearby locations, with some thought to have been sold as pets on the black market.
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a non-governmental organization, oversees the sanctuary in East Africa. Its primary mission is to rescue chimps from poaching and the illegal pet trade. One of the main activities at this sanctuary is chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee feedings are scheduled and include supplementary food to ensure their health. Additionally, travelers on their Uganda safari can observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust is a nongovernmental organization that manages the chimpanzee sanctuary in the East African region. Its primary duty is to save the chimps from poachers and the illegal trading of pets. The primary activity in this sanctuary is chimpanzee trekking. The feeding of these chimpanzees is timed and involves supplementary feeding so that they can live healthy lives. Additionally, travelers on their Uganda safari can see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
What can you do in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
While in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, there are a variety of activities to do. These include;
Chimpanzee trekking
This is the key activity within the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. And usually, it can be done in the morning or the afternoon. During this activity, you will have time to encounter the chimpanzee closely to learn about their behavior and life. A chimpanzee is considered a close relative to humans, with over 98% of their DNA. During the chimpanzee trekking tour, you are required not to wear brightly colored clothes that may scare away the chimpanzees. The other requirements are face masks, waterproof clothing, a backpack, a camera, and many others. The cost for a chimpanzee trekking tour is [insert cost here]. Chimpanzee trekking can also be done in different parts of the country, like Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
Feeding of the chimpanzees
Feeding the chimpanzees is a voluntary activity travelers do on their Uganda safari. The activity is usually done in the afternoon and it is on a balanced diet basis to overcome malnutrition. This activity starts with preparing the food, environment enrichment, cleaning, and recording keeping. This is one of the volunteering activities which also involves funding to purchase food for the chimpanzees.
Birding tours
The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to over 140 bird species. This makes it a birding destination for the birders on their Uganda safari. The bird species include the green Cuckoo, Grey heron, Grey crowned crane, Gull-billed tern, Hadada Ibis, White-throated bee-eater, and many others. This makes the island a true birder’s haven away from the chimpanzee trekking. A visit to Ngamba Island can be combined with a birding tour at Mabamba Wetland for shoebill stork tracking.
Accommodation facilities in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
There are fewer accommodation facilities on Ngamba Island, and the only facility on the island is the Ngamba Eco Lodge, which has the best views of Lake Victoria on each side. The lodge offers [insert details about the lodge’s amenities and services]. The other facilities a traveler on a Uganda safari would have from Ngamba Island are in Entebbe. In Entebbe, there is a variety of accommodation facilities that travelers can choose from. These include: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Green Valley Resort, Via Via Hotel, Jet Villas, Sky Hotel, Pretoria Hotel, and many others. Each of these facilities offers [insert details about the facilities’ amenities and services].
What is the best time to visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year. The best time to visit the island is during the dry months of the year, that is to say, December to February and June to September. During these months, the area is clearer, and you can track the wildlife on the island. On the other hand, there is a low chance of seeing wildlife during the wet months of the year since the vegetation is thick due to the heavy rains. Also, during these months, there is less traffic. This implies that one will get a more personalized tour since the guides have fewer travelers to attend to. The other advantage is that accommodation facilities in Uganda tend to lower their prices during the low seasons. This might be the best time for budget travelers to visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
How to get there?
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria. Here you need to take a boat ride which is either a speed boat or a traditional boat to the island. The boat ride will take about 40 to 50 minutes using a speed boat and the traditional boat will take about one hour to reach the island. The chimpanzee sanctuary is usually a 1 day excursion tour where travelers on their safari to Uganda will enjoy this destination since it is near the airport.
Now that you have learned about the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, you can book your tour by [insert process of booking a tour here]. Once your tour is booked, you can look forward to creating an everlasting memory with the magical primates.
