If you cannot make the long journey south-west to trek gorillas or chimpanzees in the forest, there is a wonderful alternative right on Entebbe's doorstep. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary sits on a forested island in Lake Victoria, about 23 km from Entebbe, and is home to a family of orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa. A visit is one of the most rewarding half-days you can have in Uganda — and it is genuinely easy to arrange.
The story of the sanctuary
Ngamba Island was established in 1998 to care for chimpanzees orphaned by the illegal bushmeat and pet trades. Most of its residents cannot be returned to the wild, so the island — roughly 100 acres of natural rainforest ringed by a safe boundary — gives them a protected home close to a natural life. The sanctuary is run as a conservation and education project, and your visit directly funds the chimps' care, veterinary support and community programmes on the mainland.
What you will see: the feedings
The highlight of a day visit is the supplementary feeding, held in the morning and afternoon. From a raised viewing platform at the forest edge, you watch the chimps emerge from the trees and gather as caretakers toss fruit and vegetables — an astonishing, noisy, deeply human spectacle of personalities, hierarchies and mischief just metres away. Knowledgeable guides narrate who is who and explain each chimp's rescue story, which turns the visit from sightseeing into something you remember for years.
Day trips and overnight stays
Most visitors come on a half-day or full-day boat trip from Entebbe. A fast speedboat reaches the island in around 45 minutes to an hour; a slower motorised canoe takes longer but costs less and doubles as a lovely lake cruise. Full-day trips are timed around both feedings and often include lunch. For a deeper experience, the island offers overnight tented accommodation, and special (higher-priced, age-restricted) programmes let a small number of guests join the caretakers for closer encounters. Trips should be booked a day or two ahead, especially in high season.
Practical tips
Bring sun protection, a hat, a light rain layer and a camera with a decent zoom (you photograph from the platform, not among the chimps). For health reasons, visitors who are unwell may not be allowed near the chimpanzees, since they are susceptible to human illnesses — the same principle that governs gorilla trekking. Wear something you do not mind getting a little lake-spray on for the boat ride, and follow your guide's instructions at all times.
How it fits your Entebbe stay
Because the boats leave from the Entebbe waterfront, Ngamba Island is one of the easiest excursions to combine with a night or two near the airport — perfect if you have a spare day at the start or end of a trip, or a long layover you want to fill memorably. Pair it with the nearby Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and the Botanical Gardens for a full, relaxed few days without ever venturing far from Entebbe.
Base yourself at Airport View Hotel
Airport View Hotel Entebbe is minutes from both the airport and the waterfront departure points, making it an ideal base for a Ngamba Island trip. Our reception can help you contact reputable boat operators, and we offer en-suite rooms from $85 including breakfast and early departures on request. Contact us to plan your visit.