Ngamba Island Things to Do

4 more images

They did not even tell me that we were crossing the Equator in the boat journey here until we were returning. Yes, you have to cross the Equator here twice to and from Ngamba Island. You are now in the very middle of the world. The guys on the boat tell you that when you pass a certain island (pictured somewhat) that you just passed from the Southern Hemisphere to the North! It would have been better if they had told me going out – so I am letting you know ahead of time.

4 more images

Before you start your tour the guide will tell you about the different personalities you will meet. Pay attention! One of the chimpanzees was a sort of pet/freak show who used to go to bars with his ‘owner’ and smoke. He still makes gestures like he has a cigarette. One of the guys will lay down when he is happy. He of course does this after he has eaten. Another makes ‘raspberry’ spitting sounds to gain attention. Another must have been doing some boxing because he always stands like a fighter in a ring. Some of these are sad stories, but you recognise who is who when you meet them.

4 more images

All tours to Ngamba island are set up through Wild Frontiers. They are the only people allowed to land a boat on the island. Prices can change, so please go to their website via the link below. It is not cheap, but you can see how your money is spent when you get there. If you are only in the Kampala/Entebbe area for a few days, this is an excellent way to see wildlife in Uganda. It’s a fantastic day out. Your ticket includes entry to the fantastic outside zoo on the mainland. I suggest taking the afternoon tour (there are 2 a day) and getting to the zoo early. It will take you ate least 3 hours to see it all. And take your own food and water!

4 more images

THE CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST (CSWCT) owns and maintains Ngamba Island. The Sanctuary was established in October 1998 to care for Chimpanzees confiscated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. There are orphans from Bush Meat/Poaching as well as animals rescued from being pets and circus entertainment. The goal is to reintegrate them into Chimpanzee social groupings and behaviours so they can be returned to protected wild areas in Uganda. The sanctuary never turns down orphans. Limited mating also takes place. Scared chimpanzees are initially held in a holding area (pictured) until their needs can be assessed and a reintegration plan is drawn up. The staff love and know all about each chimpanzee.

The sanctuary is managed by 7 trustee organizations: The Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Society, Environment Conservation Trust, Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Born Free Foundation-UK, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Its just so amazing how like a human a chimp is, when we watched them being fed, the chimps actually held their hands out for the food - the also fought each other if they wanted the other chimps food.....as you can see this chimp was very pleased with himself!!!

When you arrive and walk up onto the island there is a small shop and an area for refreshments and some toilets.
Then you continue up onto a wooden walkway which takes you past numerous information boards in English. These boards introduce every chimp who is here, telling you about their history and their future.

Continue on up from the boards and you can meet the chimps in person!

When watching the Chimps feeding time its amazing and a funny sight really!
The Chimps make such a noise, running around and squaking at the top of their voices! They were so excited to be getting fed that they just run around their compound at high speed!

These Chimps are so lucky to have this amazing view out across the lake from their tall bamboo table like contraptions that they climb up on.
Dont underestimate the Chimp - these animals are very intelligent and can be very aggressive too, in fact they are one of the closest animals to a human - I bought a T Shirt which read 98.7% Chimp!!

You can view the chimps from a walkway which goes up high and looks out to these structures and the Lake. You are enclosed by barbed wire!