1. What is Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is Uganda’s home for 52 rescued orphaned chimpanzees. Located on a 100-acre forested island in Lake Victoria, 23km from Entebbe.
Started in 1998 by Jane Goodall Institute, it’s not a zoo – chimps live free in forest but are protected and fed. Perfect half-day trip from Entebbe or Kampala!
2. How to Get There?
Located in Lake Victoria, 23km from Entebbe. Takes 45 to 60 minutes by speedboat.
With Peku Adventures: We pick you from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at 7:30 AM. Boat departs from Entebbe Waterfront Beach Hotel at 8:30 AM for morning tour and 12:45 PM for afternoon tour.
We include return boat, entry fees, guide, and lunch for full-day tour.
3. Top 6 Activities at Ngamba Island
1. Chimpanzee Feeding Viewing: Watch chimps being fed at 11 AM and 2:30 PM from a raised platform. You see them fight, share, and play very close. Best for photos!
2. Chimpanzee Caregiver Experience: Become caregiver for a day! You prepare food, clean, and feed chimps with vet. Price is $250 and only 3 people per day allowed – must book early!
3. Sunset Cruise: Evening boat ride around island to see otters, monitor lizards, fishing villages, and over 120 bird species.
4. Bird Watching: Island has more than 120 birds including African fish eagle and kingfishers.
5. Swimming: Safe swimming area with net on island beach.
6. Fishing Village Visit: Visit nearby Koome village to see local life.
4. Ngamba Island Price 2026 – Full Breakdown
Half-Day Morning Tour from 8 AM to 1 PM: Costs $88 per person for foreign visitors. Includes boat return, sanctuary entry, and guide.
Half-Day Afternoon Tour from 12:45 PM to 5 PM: Also $88 per person. Same inclusions as morning.
Full-Day Tour from 8 AM to 5 PM: Costs $140 per person. Includes boat, entry, lunch, and guide. You see both feedings.
Chimpanzee Caregiver Full Day Experience: Costs $250 per person. Includes everything plus you work with vet team as caregiver.
Overnight Stay in Tented Camp: Costs $365 per person. Includes full board, two chimp feedings, and night experience with chimps calling. Very special!
For Children: Kids under 5 years enter free. Kids 5 to 12 years pay 50% off.
peku adventures Special Price: Our package starts from $95 for half-day – we add hotel pickup, bottled water, and professional guide.
5. Best Time to Visit
Open daily all year round!
Best for photography is dry season December to February and June to August – lake is calm and light is good.
Best for birding is March to May when migratory birds come.
Avoid heavy rainy April mornings because lake can be rough.
6. What to Pack
Bring light rain jacket, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera with zoom lens, closed shoes, insect repellent, motion sickness tablet if you fear boats, and small cash for souvenirs.
7. Important Rules
Stay 8 meters away from chimps – they can catch human flu. No eating near platform. Children under 5 not allowed at viewing platform for safety.
8. Why Your Visit Matters
Your $88 goes directly to feeding and vet care. Each chimp eats $12 of food per day.
9. FAQ
How long is boat ride? 45 minutes by speedboat from Entebbe.
Can you see chimps up close? Yes from 8-meter platform – very close for great photos!
Is Ngamba worth it? Yes! If you don’t have 3 days for Kibale trekking ($250 permit), Ngamba is perfect half-day for $88 only.
Difference between Ngamba and Kibale? Ngamba has rescued chimps on island, easy half-day $88. Kibale has wild chimps in forest, full trek $250 permit.
Can I hold chimpanzee? No, not allowed for safety and to keep them wild.
10. Book With Us Today
Want to visit Ngamba Island tomorrow?
peku has daily boats from Entebbe
