Ngamba Island Volunteer Program

Make a difference and volunteer at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda. The sanctuary was primarily established to offer shelter to rescued and orphaned chimpanzees.

Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Victoria, this is an opportunity to assist the program with its invaluable work. We will spend a week alongside the people and the animals that make this centre so unique. What better way to gain an in depth understanding of chimpanzees than from the crew on the front line and the chimps themselves? Come and help educate the public about the importance of chimpanzees…our closest living relatives!

Food Preparation
Chimpanzee Feeding
Cleaning Chimp Night-time Holding Facility
Carrying out Enrichment Exercises for Chimps
Collecting Behavioral Data & Typing up Records (chimp diaries)
Support Maintenance of Island Facilities
Enjoying Island Wildlife

Day 1 - Arrive Entebbe

On arrival, we will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure before meeting your fellow volunteers this evening. We will discuss the week ahead, where we will gain valuable firsthand experience with the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House

Day 2 - Transfer to Ngamba Chimpanzee Island

After breakfast we head into central Entebbe to locate some of the key services such as ATMs, supermarkets and the all important cafes- we will get to experience one of our favourites for lunch. After that it’s off to Ngamba Island, just a 50 minute boat ride from Entebbe, for a guided tour and to meet the dedicated staff and animals. We will learn about the important work the team carry out, gain a deeper understanding of what our roles will be during the next week as well as learning indepth about the threats and work done to conserve the Chimp’s wild relatives.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngamba Island Dorms

Day 3 to 6 - Ngamba Island Volunteer Program

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a project of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT). This body is charged with providing welfare to the chimpanzees. Apart from the playful apes, there are monitor lizards and an abundance of birdlife that call the Island home. Over the next few days you will have plenty of opportunity to observe the chimps feed, play, care for each other and rest. You will be able to help with preparing the various fruits and vegetables to feed to the chimpanzees. Your role each day will depend on a variety of factors including planned veterinary procedures, enclosure maintenance, visitation numbers and special behind the scenes experiences, projects or research. Every job you do assists the staff in caring for the animals and will leave you with amazing memories.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngamba Island Dorms

Day 7 - Ngamba Island Volunteer & departure

Today you will continue your volunteer work on the Island. The program will finish at lunch time and leave you enough time to organise your belongings before your departure. We will arrange a pick up in the afternoon, to give you an opportunity to say goodbye to the keepers and animals you have come to know during your stay. We will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport, or a central Entebbe location upon request. Alternatively you could continue your RAW Africa Eco-tours experience with our Mountain Gorilla Adventure or Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Saving Great Apes conservation safari.

Meals: Breakfast

Included