In this episode, I would like to take you to the only Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda. An Island of about 100 acres is home to about 50 Chimpanzees rescued from all around the world. These are mostly orphaned, severely injured, and abused chimps. The island is 23 km from Entebbe making it one of the nearest tourist (animal reserves) places around Kampala and Entebbe.
This place is private and therefore managed by an organization that is focused on saving chimps through sensitizing the population, studying and understanding behaviors of Chimps, and providing relevant research-based facts on these primates.
Just like humans, chimpanzees live in organized communities with established leadership. They have likes and dislikes, they can choose mates, choose leaders, and may reject foreigners or bad company. They also play politics just like humans do, mobilizing supporters, defending their leaders, and staging coups. The leader gets the privileges of eating first, dominating over all females in the community, security, and others.
The Youngest Chip here is called Ruparelia, a name from its caretaker Sudhir Ruparelia who donates for its feeding and care. This was born in captivity.
Planning a visit? Here are some tips.
- Book your visit in time. Being a sanctuary for an endangered animal, the place is highly secured and visits here are controlled. Therefore, you need to book your visit to come here. You can book by checking out on Ngamba Island online.
- Watching the chimps happens only at different times and therefore if you have booked a half-day trip, you have to get there on time (at least 2 hours earlier) But you can book more days to enjoy the experience and learn.
- The place is safe. It has an electric fence and therefore it is unlikely that the animals would escape. In case of any emergency, the place has standard procedures and trained staff to hand it.
- Forget about swimming because it is not allowed anywhere on the island.
Besides the chimps, you will have a chance to see the monitor lizards embracing the sand beaches of the island. These are of no threat and usually will avoid meeting with humans.
I visit this place whenever I get an opportunity, mainly during our group visit to Koome Island which is a few minutes away.
I hope you can add this place to your list of places to visit when you visit Uganda. Visit Uganda and experience the beauty of nature, diversity, hospitality, and happy people.
