Ngamba Island Tented Camp offers the unique opportunity to spend a night on Ngamba Island, a chimpanzee sanctuary, with the option to enjoy the very special privilege of joining a group of infant chimps on their early morning walk through the forest (this Forest Walk is currently US$350 per person and you must have medical clearance and vaccinations in advance of contact with the chimps). These are habituated orphaned wild chimpanzees who are cared for and reintroduced to other chimps, often after their mothers were killed. There is also a 'caregiver' option where you can spend time helping the keepers behind the scenes looking after the young chimps, this is currently US$150 and subject to the same medical screening.
Guests at Ngamba Island Tented Camp stay in comfortable, twin-bedded tents at the water’s edge, each with ensuite bathroom facilities and their own verandahs. All meals are prepared and served by their friendly camp staff in one of two dining areas - either in the A-frame or the platform beside the lake. Meals at Ngamba Island Tented Camp are substantial, with several tasty courses for dinner and local specialties such as fresh fish from the lake, whenever possible.
Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to around 50 orphaned chimpanzees. The sanctuary provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about this remarkable species and the importance of conserving its fragile forest habitat. Guests have the opportunity to view two daytime feedings of the chimpanzees, as well as morning and evening feeds at the holding facility. Optional activities include opportunities to observe some of the island’s 154 recorded bird species, viewing a local fishing village, taking a sunset cruise, or simply relaxing by the lake, enjoying a memorable African sunset.
Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located on Lake Victoria 23km south of Entebbe, Uganda. It consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitors area by an electric fence.
The island is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.
