Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary tour: See rescued chimps
Rescued chimpanzees in a forested sanctuary on Lake Victoria
A full-day tour from Kampala to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, where you travel by speedboat across the lake and meet over 50 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees in a natural forested environment. The sanctuary, established in 1998 and spanning 100 acres, provides a safe haven for these animals. A guide introduces the sanctuary's conservation mission and the individual stories of the chimpanzees you encounter.
Step-by-step itinerary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit
- Pick up from hotel in Kampala or Entebbe
- Drive to Entebbe Waterfront Pier
- Check in and board boat to Ngamba Island
- Boat ride across Lake Victoria
- Orientation at chimpanzee sanctuary
- Return boat trip to Entebbe
- Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe drop-off
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe.
- speedboat transfer across Lake Victoria.
- sanctuary entrance fee.
- bottled water throughout the day.
- English-speaking guide and orientation session on the island's conservation mission and chimpanzee backgrounds.
Times
- Every day 07:00 08:30 09:00
Before you book
Operated by TWIJA AFRICA SAFARIS
Prices and times updated 16 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Your day starts with an early pickup from your Kampala or Entebbe hotel, followed by a drive of about 1 to 1.5 hours to the Entebbe Waterfront Pier near the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Once you arrive, you'll check in, receive a life jacket, and board a speedboat or motorized canoe for a 45-minute crossing of Lake Victoria. The boat ride itself offers views of fishing vessels and small islands dotting the water before you reach the sanctuary.
On arrival at Ngamba Island, sanctuary staff welcome you and lead an orientation session that covers the sanctuary's history, the individual backgrounds of the chimpanzees, and the conservation work that protects them. The island itself is 98% forested across its 100 acres, creating a natural environment for the over 50 chimpanzees living there. This setting allows you to observe the animals without the artificial barriers of a typical zoo.
After your time on the island, you'll return by boat to Entebbe and then travel back to Kampala or your Entebbe hotel or airport. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and your guide speaks English. The full experience runs between 6 and 10 hours depending on traffic and your specific schedule.
Is this one for you?Small groups work well here, and the tour suits anyone with a morning or afternoon free in Kampala who wants to see chimpanzees in a natural setting without the constraints of a zoo. The early start and 45-minute boat crossing mean you need to be comfortable with travel and physical activity, but the pace is set by the sanctuary staff, not by a rushed itinerary.
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Top questions
How long is the boat ride from Entebbe to Ngamba Island?
The speedboat or motorized canoe crossing takes approximately 45 minutes each way, offering views of Lake Victoria, fishing boats, and smaller islands along the route.
What can I expect to see on Ngamba Island?
Ngamba Island is home to over 50 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees living in a natural forested environment across the sanctuary's 100 acres. The sanctuary staff guide you through an orientation that explains the individual stories and backgrounds of the chimpanzees you encounter.
What is included in the tour price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Kampala or Entebbe, the speedboat transfer to and from the island, entrance to the sanctuary, and bottled water throughout the day are all included. Your guide speaks English.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
Yes, the minimum age is 15 years old. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health, as the boat crossing and island activities require a good level of physical fitness.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary tour: See rescued chimps
6h–10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 270 per person
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