Ngamba Island Chimapanzee Sanctuary

Nestled on a remote 100-acre island in Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary stands as one of Africa's most transformative wildlife destinations—a place where rescued chimpanzees live in naturalistic habitats, where conservation meets education, and where visitors forge meaningful connections with our closest evolutionary cousins.
Unlike traditional zoos or passive wildlife viewing, Ngamba Island offers something profoundly different: a living testament to primate rescue, rehabilitation, and protection. Home to approximately 50 sanctuary chimpanzees, this island represents hope—a refuge for individuals who've survived poaching, captivity, and trauma, now thriving in a community that mirrors wild social dynamics while providing essential care and protection.Founded in 1998 by the Chimpanzee Trust, with support from the Jane Goodall Institute, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary operates as a beacon of hope for orphaned, rescued, and endangered chimpanzees across Uganda and the East African region.

The sanctuary's design reflects its compassionate mission:

100 acres of tropical rainforest with over 95% of the island covered in natural forest, allowing chimpanzees to roam and express natural behaviors in a semi-wild environment 

• Home to over 50 chimpanzees who have formed their own social communities, complete with complex relationships and hierarchies 

• Globally accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), ensuring strict standards of animal care and facility operations 

• Dedicated team of over 22 caregivers, veterinarians, and support staff who provide daily care, monitor health, and facilitate rehabilitation.

• Your Visit Makes a Difference

  Every ticket purchased, every overnight stay, and every "Caregiver for a Day" experience directly funds:

  • Rescue operations for additional orphaned chimpanzees

  • Daily care including food, veterinary services, and habitat maintenance

  • Conservation education programs in local communities

  • Research initiatives that contribute to global understanding of chimpanzee behavior.

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• All in all, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers more than just a tourist activity—it is a transformative experience that bridges the gap between humans and nature, between compassion and conservation. It's a place where the tragic stories of individual chimpanzees transform into tales of resilience and hope, where visitors don't just observe but connect, and where every person who makes the journey contributes to a larger mission of protection and preservation.

  As the chimpanzees' calls echo across the waters of Lake Victoria, they extend an invitation—not just to visit, but to understand, to care, and to become part of a story much larger than ourselves. Will you answer the call?