Situated 23km south of Entebbe, Ngamba is a formerly uninhabited 50ha island in the Kome Archipelago, which is separated from the northern shore of Lake Victoria the 10km wide Damba channel. Supporting a rainforest environment that includes 50 plus plant species utilized by free ranging chimps, Ngamba was established as a sanctuary in 1998, when 19 orphaned chimpanzee, all of which had been saved from a life in captivity or a laboratory, were relocated there. Today 48 orphaned chimpanzees, many captured illegally in the forests of the DRC and smuggled across Uganda for trade, are resident on Ngamba.
The island is divided into two unequal parts, separated by an electric fence. On one side of the fence, a tented camp, visitors centre and staff quarters extend over an area of about 1ha on a partially cleared stretch of northwestern shore notable for its immense weaver colonies. The rest of the island is reserved more-or-less exclusively for chimpanzees and their attendants. There is also a small tented camp sleeping up to eight on the island.
The fenced off part of the island offers plenty of room for the chimps to roam, but it isn’t large enough to sustain the entire community – indeed, its area corresponds roughly to the natural range of one chimpanzee – so the chimps are fed a porridge- like mixture for breakfast, and then fruits and vegetables twice during the day. The fruits are given to the chimps from a viewing platform, which provides an opportunity to observe and photograph them through the fence.
The sanctuary aims to provide the best facilities and care to the captive chimpanzees, who are given the choice of staying in the forest overnight or return to the holding facility built to enhance social integration and veterinary management. The management has elected not to allow the chimps to breed, so all sexually mature females are given a contraceptive implant which doesn’t disrupt the community ‘s sexual behavior, but does prevent pregnancy.
Ngamba Island is the flagship project of the chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, jointly established in 1997 by the Borne Free Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Jane Goodall Institute, UWEC and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia). It is part of an integrated chimpanzee programme that also includes an ongoing Census study of the wild Chimpanzee populations in Uganda, two snare-removal programmes, chimpanzee habituation for ecotourism, and an education and outreach initiatives in local communities. Proceeds from tourist visits go directly back into the maintenance of the Sanctuary and the organization’s other chimpanzee related projects.
Entrance to day/overnight visitors is US$35/40/10/15 FNR adults/Children, US15, US$15/20/5/10 for FR adults/children. This fee includes an introductory lecture and the opportunity to watch the chimpanzees from a viewing platform at feeding time. Other activities are extra.
Health and Safety at Ngamba Island
People doing a caregiver-for-a- day activity are required to show proof of current vaccination against hepatitis A and B, measles, meningococcal meningitis, polio, tetanus. Yellow fever and seasonal flu. It also requires visitors to have tested negative for TB and HIV within the previous six months. A form listing all current medical requirements, to be signed by your doctor is downloadable from www.ngambaisland.org.
How to get to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria
Access is by boat or helicopter only, and can be arranged directly with the booking office or through any operator in Kampala or Entebbe. Motorboat crossings from Entebbe take 45minutes and cost US$407-440 per party, depending on group size. Motorized traditional canoes take 90 minutes cost the same for groups up to five but more for larger groups. Make sure your boat leaves Entebbe in time for the twice daily supplementary feeding session. Helicopter transfers from Entebbe cost around US$ 780 per party (up to four people).
Ngamba Island Activities
Day trips to the Island are timed to coincide with the prearranged supplementary feeding times of 11.00 and 14.30, when the chimpanzees come to within metres of raised walkway, offering an excellent opportunity to observe and photograph one of our closest animal relatives. This is included in the entrance fee, but one of our closest animal relatives. This is included in the entrance fee but visitors who want more hands-on experience (and who have arranged the required vaccines in advance) can opt for the care giver-for-a-day programme, which aims at creating an understanding of what it takes to look after the orphans of Ngamba. This is available on an all-inclusive overnight package that costs US$918 for one person, or US$668 for groups of two or more. Kayaks are available to explore the island bays and go searching for monitor Lizards, otters and some of the 154 recorded bird species, while other optional activities for overnight include a visit to a local fishing village, a sunset cruise and fishing all of which can be arranged through the camp.
