Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba is a private island on the lake shores of Lake Victoria from Entebbe. Guests may watch and learn a bout Chimpanzees from resident researchers, and with prior arrangement you may enjoy a forest walk with some of the younger chimpanzees as they clamber over you, hold your hand, or be a “care giver” or during the day you may assist the staff on the island behind the scenes to learn a bout and interact with, these marvelous animals.
Accommodation on the island
The island offers accommodation in the four specious East African `Meru` style tents, each on a wood deck, offering uninterrupted views of Lake Victoria and the mainland beyond. The tents have en suite hot water showers, toilet and basin, solar lighting and comfortable furnishing, including Twin beds with duvets. In line with camps is eco-friendly. Additional tents can as well be arranged for group tours on request.
The dining area is under thatch with roll-down canvas walls and netting –meals may also be served out on the sun deck overlooking the lake. There is a small curio shop on the island as well as a visitor information centre.
Safari Activities on the Island
Apart from viewing the chimpanzees, activities include the option of visiting a neighboring fishing community, bird- watching, or possibly taking a kayak around the island. Or simply relax and enjoy watching the chimps at play.
CHECKLIST FOR VISITORS DOING FOREST WALKS OR CAREGIVER FOR A DAY PROGRAM
The following vaccinations and health checks are mandatory and MUST be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Vaccinations and tests required
(We have stated what we believe to be the validity of most vaccines, after which time your doctor/health clinic should be able to recommend further vaccinations and/or booster shots.)
(1) Hepatitis A (valid 20 years)
(2) Hepatitis B (valid 5 years)
(3) Measles vaccination
(We will need to see medical proof of your immunity to measles, through either a recent vaccination or a blood test titer result, stating your immunity to measles. Unfortunately even if you have had the disease or a vaccine as a child we will need to see a blood test result, again stating/showing your immunity to measles. Physicians are now debating whether the measles vaccine you had as a child still has a lifetime immunity. You can also receive the vaccine as an adult which often comes in the form of MMR (mumps, measles and rubella). Consult with your doctor for further advice. Please note that you MUST have supporting documentation to prove your immunity to measles.)
(4) Meningococcal meningitis (menomune vaccine - covers A, C, W & Y strains) (valid 3 years)
(5) Polio vaccination (valid 10 years)
(6) Tetanus vaccination (valid 10 years)
(7) Yellow fever (valid 10 years)
(8) Tuberculosis (TB) test - negative result - this test can be done through your doctor or laboratory. It usually takes three days. They do a skin reaction test (sometimes called a mantoux test) on the first day and you return 72 hours later to have the reaction read. If the reaction is of concern, your doctor/laboratory may recommend a chest x-ray/sputum test or other.
If you have had the BCG vaccination as a child, your test could result in a positive reading. In which case, because we still require proof that you do not have TB, we will require you to have a chest x-ray and we will need to see the (paper) result, clearly stating that you do not have TB.
Please also note that your TB test must have been done within the last six months prior to your arrival at the sanctuary.
All vaccines must be at least two (2) weeks old prior to arrival on the island (as this is the length of time it takes for your immunity levels to react).
While we realise that this is more than what is recommended for Africa, these are necessary in order to have close contact with the chimps on Ngamba Island during the forest walk or caregiver for a day program. This is to protect them from diseases that you may bring to the island. All of our chimpanzees receive yearly healthchecks and have been tested/vaccinated for the above and have also tested negative to the HIV virus.
Please ensure that before you leave the doctors surgery/laboratory, that you check that all of your vaccinations are recorded correctly.
Failure to provide supporting documentation of the above requirements, will result in you not being permitted to participate in the forest walk or caregiver for a day program with the chimps.