Ngamba Island & Lake Victoria fishing tour: Chimpanzees, Nile Perch

Fish for one of the world's largest freshwater fish, then watch chimpanzees at close range on an island sanctuary.

An eight-hour tour from Kampala combines fishing on Lake Victoria with a visit to Ngamba Island, home to over 40 chimpanzees. You'll hook Nile Perch (one of the world's largest freshwater fish) during either a half or full day on the water, and stop at the Equator crossing where you stand at zero latitude between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Lunch and all facility fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chimpanzee visit and fishing tour

• Visit Ngamba Island chimpanzees
• Fish for Nile Perch on Lake Victoria
• Stop at Equator crossing on Lake Victoria

The experience

Eight hours lets you do two things most single-day trips ask you to choose between. The fishing happens on Lake Victoria itself: you're not watching from a boat, you're actively hooking Nile Perch, one of the largest freshwater fish on earth. The half-day and full-day options let you decide how much time you want on the water. Either way, you stop at the Equator crossing on Lake Victoria, where you literally stand at zero latitude with one foot in each hemisphere.

Ngamba Island is a sanctuary for chimpanzees: over 40 of them live there, and you watch them play and interact with each other in their habitat. The island is their home, not a zoo setup, and the visit is built around what they're doing on the day you arrive. A live English-speaking guide is with you the whole time. Lunch is included, as are all landing and facility fees, so there are no surprises at the end of the day.

Pickup is included from Kampala. The minimum age is 16, and you'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the boat time and the island walking.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• landing and facility fees.
• pickup from Kampala.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full eight hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Forever Africa Safari

Is this one for you?The half-day fishing option suits travelers who want to split their time between the water and the island. The full-day fishing option is for those who want to spend more hours actively fishing for Nile Perch. Small groups work well here since the boat and island visit are both intimate experiences, and the moderate fitness requirement means you're comfortable with several hours on the water and walking on the island.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many chimpanzees will I actually see on Ngamba Island?

Ngamba Island is home to over 40 chimpanzees. You'll watch them as they play and interact with one another in their sanctuary habitat during your visit.

What does the fishing part of the day actually involve?

You take an active role in hooking Nile Perch, one of the world's largest freshwater fish. The tour offers both half-day and full-day fishing options on Lake Victoria, so you choose how much time you spend on the water.

What is the Equator crossing stop like?

At the Equator crossing on Lake Victoria, you stand at zero latitude with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a marked point where the tour makes a stop during the fishing portion of the day.

Is lunch included, and what about getting to and from Kampala?

Lunch is included in the tour price, along with all landing and facility fees. Pickup from Kampala is also included, so transport to the lake is arranged for you.

Do I need any special fitness level or experience to book this tour?

You'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the boat time on Lake Victoria and walking on Ngamba Island. The minimum age is 16. No fishing experience is required. The guide will show you how to hook the Nile Perch.