Ngamba Island

Ngamba Island is located on Lake Victoria and is approximately 23 km south-east of Entebbe. The island is largely forested but areas of grassland cover approximately 10% of the island.

Until 1997, the northern part of the island was inhabited by a local fishing community. The community had cleared approximately 2 acres of forest and selectively logged large trees from parts of the forest. One acre of this area is now used as camp quarters for staff and researchers, whilst the remaining area, located between the forest and the viewing platform is where the chimpanzees are fed during the day.

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, an NGO, is deeply committed to the conservation education of local communities. Visitors are welcome to spend some time on the island. The research and observation of the chimps is a great experience, especially when you know the money spent helps in conservation of the species and supporting the local community.

The Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation which is co-ordinated and managed by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT). CSWCT is a partnership with six organizations committed to the welfare and conservation of wildlife. The Trustees are:
Born Free Foundation
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Jane Goodall Institute
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST)
Uganda Wildlife Society

Species diversity:
49 orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees found a new home on Ngamba Island. The Island supports a rich diversity of natural wildlife and provides a variety of natural foods for the chimpanzees. Other wildlife including fruit bats, spiders, fish eagles, otters and monitor lizard have a safe habitat around the island.

Size and accessibility:
Ngamba Island is 100 acres (approximately 40 hectares) of rainforest situated in Lake Victoria. The island is set up as an eco-friendly project with compost toilets, rainwater collection, proper waste management practices and solar energy for electricity and hot water.

By Boat:
From Entebbe, the island can be reached in 45 minutes by a speedboat. Alternatively, by a motorized traditional boat it takes 01:30hrs to reach the 23 km distant island.

Activities:
Chimp observation
Ngamba Trail
Volunteer
Fishing