Ngamba Island Tour

Ngamba 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.

Ngamba Island consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitor's area by an electric fence. Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to 40 orphaned chimpanzees.

Day Trips... (Half day on the speedboat and a full day on the traditional boat)

You will view either a morning or afternoon feeding, of the chimpanzees from the visitor's platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence, hear an informative talk by sanctuary staff, enjoy lunch (optional extra pay in USD p/p on full-day trips), swim on the equator, viewing a neighbouring fishing village, bird watching, other wildlife encounters, or just sunbathe and relax.

Meeting Point: In Entebbe, Lugard Avenue outside UWEC (Zoo) where safe parking is available and departure from the pier a short walk away. Journey times are approximately 50 minutes by speedboat or 90 minutes each way by traditional motorised boat.

Speedboat Departure Times - Half-day trips
Morning viewing 9.00 am -1.00 pm
Afternoon viewing 12.45 pm- 5.00 pm

Speedboat 1 - capacity of up to 5 passengers. An 18-foot seagoing ski boat with a single foam-filled hull, powered by a Yamaha 140HP outboard engine, sun canopy and life jackets on board.

Speedboats 2 & 3 - capacity of up to 12 passengers. A 25-foot speed boat, powered by 2 X Yamaha 140HP outboard engines, sun canopy and life jackets on board.

Traditional Motorised Boat - Full-day trips
Morning viewing 08.00 am - 3.00 pm
Afternoon viewing 10.30 am - 5.00 pm

A Traditional Motorised Boat - modified for tourists travelling on Lake Victoria with a capacity of up to 20 passengers. Life jackets and rain suits are provided for all onboard our boats.

Boat transfer by Speedboat - Approximately 50 minutes, weather dependant

Prices from USD130- per person - subject to minimum numbers on board.

Includes: Informative half-day tour with chimpanzee viewing, entrance fees for the Island Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Boat transfer by Traditional boat - Approximately 90 minutes, weather dependant

Prices from USD110- per person - subject to minimum numbers on board.

Includes: Informative full-day tour with chimpanzee viewing, entrance fees for the Island Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Children under 5 years - FREE OF CHARGE. Between 5-15 years – HALF PRICE.