3 Days Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour
Price On Request
Tour Highlights
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is operated by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust. Ngamba Island is located 23 km from the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe Uganda. The Island is about 100 acres with a number of flora and fauna. Chimpanzees are the main attraction on the island.
Ngamba Island is home to the rescued Chimpanzees. Did you know chimpanzees are our closest relatives with DNA of about 98.7% of the human DNA Just like the chimpanzees of UWEC ZOO in Entebbe, at Ngamba Island the chimpanzees are put out in the morning from their close-up facility for enrichment in their environment for food just like in the wild.
Feeding is supplemented daily with food in the like of vegetables and fruit such as g nuts, maize sugar cane sweet potatoes, cassava, carrots and many other foods. In most cases visitors are invited to get involved in the feeding and this is a good moment for photos. Feeding is usually done in guidance of the Ngamba Island chimp keepers.
While at Ngamba Island other activities are keeper for a day or volunteering as a keeper in the day to day activities of feeding and taking care of the chimps.
While at Ngamba Island chimp tour, you will encounter a number of activities right from the amazing speed boat from the dock in Entebbe. Your tour includes chimpanzee feeding while at the island, challenging the chimp critical thinking, watch Chimp nest preparation, visiting the fishing villages, sunset cruise, a community cultural experience, local fishing and borne fires at the island with experienced guide and keepers of the island.
DAY 1: Pick up and Transfer to Hotel
Travel Time from the Airport to your accommodation is a few minutes’ drive
Accommodation: Budget: Acacia Beach Hotel or Central Inn, Midrange: Boma Hotel or 2 Friends Beach Hotel luxury: Protea Entebbe
Meal Plan: Meals included depending on arrival time.
On arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel.
Optional activity
The Island tour can also be combined with Behind the scenes activity at uwec zoo
Visit Entebbe zoo also known as Uganda wild life education centre, it has a number of animals that are exhibited in line to the animals that we have in our national parks. It’s amazing to sight animals like lions, buffalos, giraffes, chimpanzees, snakes, crocodiles, bird species like the African fish eagle, shoebills, African grey parrots, harmer cops, ostrich which is the biggest and fastest bird on land and so much more not forgetting monkeys like the velvets, Black & white colobus seen in the trees, patas monkeys, etc.
Behind the scenes at the zoo
You can also encounter the animals at the zoo in their enclosure depending on which animal that will be accepted by the zoo keepers such as feeding the elephant, giraffe, chimps, cats like the leopard, rhinos. All these options are possible on early arrival and the activity takes between 1 – 2 hours
DAY 2 Travel to Ngamba Island (45-minute boat ride)
Travel Time from Entebbe dock to Ngamba Island is 45 minutes on a speed and 1: 30 minutes on a local motorized engine boat.
Accommodation: Ngamba Island Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast we will head out to waterfront club jetty located on Lake Victoria, set for a boat to Ngamba Island 23kms from Entebbe town. On our way we will cross
The Equator on Lake Victoria where we shall make a stop to take pictures.
At the island you will be welcomed by your guide and check in at the Tented Camp on the island overlooking Lake Victoria with en-suite bathroom facilities and solar lighting. Later you will view the chimpanzees feeding at a very close distance on a raised platform where you will observe the chimpanzee behaviors as they eat, play and rest.
In the afternoon, you will engage in bird watching, spotted necked otter counting and other wildlife. Later participate in the behind the scenes activities; observing chimps as they return, feed and prepare their nests.
As the day ends you will experience an exclusive sunset cruise as you enjoy views of fishermen spreading their nets, fishing villages as they wind down the day. As you sip away on cold drinks in a romantic bliss.
On return after dinner, you will be taken through the cultures of Uganda in relation to music, dance, storytelling and drama.
Day 3 Challenge Chimp critical thinking or Optional Local fishing and Departure
Travel Time from Ngamba back to mainland is 45 minutes on a speed and 1: 30 minutes on a local motorized engine boat.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
You will have breakfast at Ngamba Restaurant
Take part in the Chimp environmental enrichment program which will involve you to challenge the chimps’ critical thinking abilities as to help them stay health, physically and mentally.
OR (Optional Activity)
Later proceed, start the fishing activity which will include a visit to the neighboring islands/ hiking on Koome Island where you will also encounter sights of different plants, tree species and over 120 bird’s species.
View a chimp feeding then depart for Entebbe.
Tour Costs
Tour Includes
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure OR
- Meet & greet at Hotel or place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe
- Ground transport in a private well-maintained safari van or land cruiser
(selection at time of inquiry) with a popup roof for game viewing with internet
- English speaking driver / guide
- Fuel costs as per your itinerary
- 2 nights’ Accommodation in a luxury camp
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary
- Activities & entrance fees: 2 nights 3 days to Ngamba Island
- Boat trip to Ngamba Island
- Equator stop on Lake Victoria
- Chimp viewing and feeding
- Sun set cruise
- Challenge Chimp critical thinking
- Lake Victoria
- Box of material water in your Safari Vehicle
- Drop off at your hotel or place of stay
Tour Excludes
- X International flights
- X Visa Fees and Requirements
- X Meals not listed in the itinerary
- X Optional activities during the trip
- X Medical & travel insurance
- X Tips to different service providers eg guides, helpers and hotel staff
- X All personal expenses (Beverages/ Soft Drinks on meals, alcohol, laundry services,
- X souvenirs
General Tips on your Ngamba Island Tour:
- You can also encounter the animals at the zoo in their enclosure depending on which animal that will be accepted by the zoo keepers such as feeding the elephant, giraffe, chimps, cats like the leopard, rhinos. All these options are possible on early arrival and the activity takes between 1 – 2 hours
What to bring on your tour:
- Rubber Boots and sweater
- Camera and it should be put in a water proof bag or polythene bag while on your boat cruise trip to Ngamba Island
- Mosquito repellant.
- Sun screen
- Binoculars are also essential for lovers of birding.
- Drinking during the trekking experience
- Chargers for your phone and other accessories are essential
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