Through the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda has achieved its goal of protecting primates.
Uganda’s effort in protecting primates as a country has been achieved through the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
In the past 30 years, the number of chimpanzees in Uganda has drastically decreased. This is because poaching and deforestation are on the rise, not just in Uganda but in entire Africa.
This poses a threat to chimpanzee populations. They are forced to come into confrontation with people as more and more of their native habitats are reduced to sparse areas of woodland.
A Brief History of Ngamba Island
In 1998, the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established as a non-profit organization. It aimed to take care of the orphaned chimpanzees that had been saved from poachers, wildlife traffickers, zoos, and circuses in nations like Burundi, Congo, Russia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The majority of the chimpanzees at the sanctuary were saved from poachers who sell them for meat or as pets and make good money doing so.
They are kept in appalling conditions and forced to undergo extreme hardship while being transported with their kidnappers or waiting to be sold. This leaves the majority of them traumatized.
Ngamba Island is one of the top primate sanctuaries in the world. It is a chimpanzee sanctuary, also called “Chimp Island.” It is one of Uganda’s top tourist destinations as well. There may be more than 50 chimpanzees in the sanctuary currently, up from 19 when it first opened.
In Lake Victoria, which is near Entebbe town, sits the Island. About 100 acres of forest cover the island, giving the chimpanzees a natural habitat and food source.
The sanctuary draws renowned primate researchers, organizations, and personnel from other sanctuaries across the world. They all come to work together and share knowledge because they are members of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance.
The JACK Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the same country, the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in Congo, and the Senkwekwe Center for orphaned mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park are additional noteworthy sanctuaries.
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust is in charge of overseeing the Ngamba sanctuary (CSWCT). Six other organizations dedicated to the welfare and conservation of wildlife collaborate with the Trust in this effort.
The group members are the Uganda Wildlife Society, the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, the Jane Goodall Institute, the New South Wales Zoological Park, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda, and the Born Free Foundation.
Tourist Attractions on Ngamba Island
The Chimpanzees
An electric fence serves as a barrier around the chimpanzee area. If you arrive too early, you might not be able to see them in the feeding area, but after they hear the caregiver’s siren, you will begin to hear their vocal cries, screams, and calls as they make their way out of the dense forest and toward the feeding area.
From a raised platform, one can see the chimpanzees extremely clearly and up close. You can watch how they interact, how they function as a group, and how they each have a unique personality.
The Ngamba Eco Lodge
With a view of Lake Victoria and the forest of Ngamba Island, these campgrounds are built in the traditional East African style.
Make use of the lounge area with a full bar and eating areas that provide a peaceful, pleasant setting to talk about the day’s events. Also, areas around the fireplaces add warmth in the chilly evenings.
Cultural Performances by Locals
On most nights on the island, there are cultural performances by the bonfire. The inhabitants here embrace their cultures and interact with visitors while performing, drumming, and sharing stories.
The only area where you may have a fantastic one-night stay is Ngamba Island.
Tourist activities on Ngamba Island
Forest Trail Walk
On the island of Ngamba, there is a forest walk that was designed so tourists can learn more about flora and fauna. Additionally, it provides a chance for visitors to play with some of the young chimpanzees. These little ones are even permitted to accompany forest visitors on walks.
Young chimpanzees act almost I’m the same way as young human children. You can play games together with the little chimpanzees or just carry one on your back.
Volunteering program
A volunteer program at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Refuge is geared toward those who enjoy primates and want to learn more about chimpanzees. The course lasts four weeks.
Throughout the program, participants actively participate in the daily operations at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Daily activities include preparing food for the chimpanzees, feeding them, collecting data, maintaining the chimpanzee housing facilities, providing medical care, and learning about general wildlife conservation.
Fishing
Fishing on this island is a lot of fun. Tilapia and Nile Perch are the two most common species caught. A full day or a half of fishing can be scheduled.
No matter if you opt for a half-day or full-day fishing trip, you will have a truly fantastic time as you discover magnificent Lake Victoria.
Bird Watching
Ngamba Island is home to more than 150 kinds of birds that are connected to the forest and water, despite its tiny size.
In the trees along the shoreline, the magnificent African fish eagles sing a rousing high-pitched duet. And numerous species of the weaver, most of which are yellow, breed in the reeds.
The African paradise flycatchers, loud hornbills, beautifully marked turacos, and other colorful species are less noticeable but even more stunning.
Cruise and catch some sunsets
In the evenings, around the time the sun sets, sunset cruises are scheduled. You can see the fishing villages and fishermen casting their nets while on the cruise, making for a genuinely beautiful evening.
How to get to Ngamba Island
One of Entebbe town’s greatest attractions is Ngamba Island. One must board a speed boat to travel to the island. The majority of the boats dock and leave from the Entebbe riverfront beach near the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (Entebbe zoo).
The boats are of different sizes. Some have a capacity of 25. The smaller, faster boats or the more expensive ferries might be selected based on price. The boats are furnished with fire extinguishers and life jackets.
For all boat reservations, the main office to visit is the Ngamba Island Reservations Office. The official Reservation office is safer to utilize than independent individuals or boats who arrange boat rides to and from the island.
Consult your tour operator to make the reservations on your behalf if you experience any problems when making reservations through the Ngamba Reservations office. The cost is determined by the number of passengers and the kind of boat. Groups pay less, whereas lone passengers spend more.
The speed boat needs 50 minutes to get to the island. They could take roughly 90 minutes if one opts for locally powered canoes.
A chartered flight or a helicopter flight can also be arranged to transport one directly to the island from Kajjansi Airstrip at Entebbe Airport. Also, you must provide an entrance ticket obtained from the Ngamba Island Reservations office to access the island.
How much is a trip to Ngamba Island
The number of visitors will determine how much it will cost to visit the chimpanzee refuge on Ngamba Island. One traveler will pay around $326, two will pay $168 each, three will pay $118 each, and four or more would pay $88 apiece.
The costs are for those who are going for the morning or evening session of the half-day viewing experience. Direct payment of the fees is accepted at the Ngamba reservation office.
Conclusion
Ngamba Island is the place to visit if you’re big on primate protection and conservation. Tourists can visit and contribute to the cause in their way.
The loss of habitat, the pet trade, and poaching is more detrimental to chimpanzees. Four African nations have no longer any primates.
For this reason, it’s very important to save the chimpanzees. Remember all proceeds go towards saving and creating a better home for them.
Disclaimer: ngambaisland.org is credited with all photos.
