Uganda · Up-Close Animal Experiences

2-Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour with Caregiving Experience

2 Days Round trip from Kampala Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Cruise on Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical freshwater lake
02 Watch chimpanzees gather at the sanctuary fence during feeding time
03 Learn about the sanctuary's history and the chimps' plight from a caregiver
04 Participate in chimp caregiving activities, subject to satisfactory medical tests
05 Enjoy a nature walk on Ngamba Island

Embark on a 2-day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour and cruise across Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical freshwater lake, to reach this unique sanctuary. Watch the chimpanzees gather at the sanctuary fence during feeding time and learn about the project, its history, and the chimps' plight from a caregiver. You will also enjoy a nature walk on the island and, subject to satisfactory medical tests, participate in chimp caregiving activities before returning to the mainland.

Embark on a 2-day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour and cruise across Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical freshwater lake, to reach this unique sanctuary.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Cruise to Ngamba Island and Chimp Feeding Experience

After breakfast at around 7 am at your place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe, connect to the shores of Lake Victoria and catch a boat departing at 8 am to Ngamba Island.
Enjoy a beautiful and magical cruise on the world's largest tropical freshwater lake, with soothing winds along the way. On arrival, transfer to the visitors' centre, where you will receive an orientation from a chimp caregiver who will introduce you to the project, its history, the chimps, and their plight. At around 11 am, move to the raised visitors' platform along the edge of the sanctuary fence to watch the feeding of the chimps.
The chimps come out from the forest at designated feeding times. They are accustomed to the schedule and come close to the fence for supplementary feeding. If the caregivers delay in bringing vegetables and fruits, you will hear the chimps making noises to remind them that it is feeding time. Watch them as they struggle to get as many fruits as they can, with the powerful taking the bigger share and the weaker ones surviving through their tactics of jumping and diving for the fruits thrown at them. Retire for relaxation in the evening and undertake a nature walk on the island. Return for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Day 02

Chimp Caregiving Activities and Return to Kampala

After a relaxed and delicious breakfast around 8 am, engage in and participate in the caring of the chimps, subject to satisfactory medical tests.
Team up with the sanctuary staff and explore their day-to-day work of making sure that these apes survive. The caregiving involves food preparation, actual feeding, medical checkups, arranging holding areas for chimps, and many other aspects. After the activity, embark on a boat ride back to the mainland, where you will meet the guide for your transfer back to your place of stay.