Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Chimpanzee sanctuary on Ngamba Island, Lake Victoria, Uganda

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a primate rescue facility located on an island in Lake Victoria surrounded by rainforest vegetation. The site provides rescued chimpanzees with natural living conditions and a variety of food sources.

This rescue facility began in 1998 to care for orphaned chimpanzees brought from across East Africa after losing their mothers. Over time it has grown into a center focused on the protection and study of these endangered animals.

Ngamba's chimpanzees are fed twice daily at viewing times, and guides explain each animal's rescue story. Females receive a contraceptive implant in the arm, so only one baby has been born on the island, after a female removed hers unnoticed. The chimpanzees spend days roaming freely and return to a cage to sleep, since building a new nest each night would strip the forest.

The sanctuary is reached by boat from Entebbe, making it easiest to visit as part of an organized tour that includes transportation. Plan to arrive early to observe feeding times and have ample time to watch the animals and explore the island grounds.

The facility operates almost entirely on renewable energy with solar panels powering buildings and rainwater collected for daily use. This approach demonstrates how a rescue site can protect both animals and the natural environment together.