Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary is located 23 km southeast of Entebbe in the central part of Uganda. Ngamba island forms part of the Kome archipelago, a group of about 15 islands and islets separated from the northern shore of Lake Victoria by the 10km wide Damba channel.
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998, when 19 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from poaching were relocated from the Uganda Wildlife Education centre and the smaller Isinga Island in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The sanctuary exists to provide the best facilities and care to captive chimpanzees. Ngamba was chosen as a sanctuary because it was formerly uninhabited and its rain forest environment is almost identical to that of wild chimpanzees, with more than 50 plant species known to be utilized by free-ranging chimps in Uganda represented. The sanctuary is supported by Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Born Free Foundation, Jane Goodall Institute, among others.
Getting There
Accessibility to the island is either by a speedboat (45 minutes ride) or a traditional canoe.
Safari activities at the island include swimming, bird watching, and relaxation, among others.