LAKE VICTORIA BOAT EXCURSIONS - WILD FRONTIERS, UGANDA

SUNSET CRUISES

Why not treat yourself to a Lake Victoria sunset cruise?  With Lake Victoria being one of the largest lakes in the world and from Entebbe we offer late afternoon  cruises by boat out towards the equator line or local islands to view the sun  over the horizon.  Watch the fishermen cast their nets and enjoy the snacks and drinks provided on board.  If you are an avid bird watcher, and have a bit more time we can also incorporate a visit to the Mabamba papyrus swamp area – home to several pairs of the share Shoebill Stork. As well as the possibility of seeing these elusive birds, there is an abundance of other water birds, wildlife such as otters and much more to view amongst the tranquil waters of this area.

Meeting point & Timings: In Entebbe, Lugard Avenue outside UWEC (Zoo) where safe parking is available and departure from the pier a short walk away. Journey times for sunset cruises are approximately two hours in the late afternoon from around 5.00pm.

Prices from USD35- per person - subject to minimum numbers on board.

NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY

Ngamba Island is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 and it provides a home for over 40 orphaned chimpanzees to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers chimpanzee encounters including:

Day Trips... (Half day on the speedboat and a full day on the traditional boat)

You will view either a morning or afternoon feeding, of the chimpanzees from the visitors platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence, hear an informative talk by sanctuary staff, enjoy lunch (optional extra for $15 p/p on full day trips), swimming on the equator, viewing a neighbouring fishing village, bird watching, other wildlife encounters, or just sunbathe and relax.

Meeting point: In Entebbe, Lugard Avenue outside UWEC (Zoo) where safe parking is available and departure from the pier a short walk away. Journey times approximately 50 minutes by speedboat or 90 minutes each way by traditional motorised boat.

Half Day Speedboat Trips
Timings - Morning viewing 9.00am -1.00pm    Afternoon viewing 12.45pm- 5.00pm  Journey time approximately 50 minutes each way – weather dependent

Prices from USD110- per person including return boat transfers and island entrance fees- subject to minimum numbers on board.

Full Day Traditional Motorised Boat Trips - Timings
Timings - Morning viewing 08.00am - 3.00pm  Afternoon viewing 10.30am - 5.00pm  Journey time approximately 90 minutes each way – weather dependent

Prices from USD84- per person including return boat transfers and island entrance fees- subject to minimum numbers on board. 

 Life jackets and rain suites are provided for all on board our boats.

Please note that the above rates are a guideline and are subject to change and are only verified when reservations are confirmed.

Children under 5 years - FREE OF CHARGE. Between 5-15 years – HALF PRICE.

FURTHER OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR OVERNIGHT VISITORS

Integration Program:

Overnight visitors to Ngamba can participate in the integration program of the chimpanzees by participating in the outside enclosure integration and/or the forest walk program. By being part of the team going out in the enclosure with the infants, you will be able to give them support by holding them, as there may be need, as they are introduced to the older individuals and also they are showed different parts of the forest to get them to learn that it is safe and a better place for them to be. You will be in the company of several chimpanzees ranging in age from 5 years to 9 years of age and you will have direct contact as we orient them to life in the forest and possible future release program back to the wild.

A maximum of four visitors per group are allowed per session of the integration program (in the enclosure or in the forest) that would last one hour, either in the morning or evening. The visitors are accompanied by trained and knowledgeable caregivers of the chimps. 

There are very specific instructions regarding clothing, cameras, glasses, and behaviour when signing up for this unique opportunity as these chimpanzees are used to human contact and they will play-bite, climb on you, grab your glasses, and pull your hair or even just walk along holding your hand. 

Caregiver for a day experience:

This is a unique program where our visitors get the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Chimpanzee Caregiver by being Caregivers themselves! As a chimp caregiver, you will get the exciting opportunity to not only view the chimps feeding, but to participate in preparing their food and feeding them. You can assist the staff with any activities happening at the sanctuary that day – medical checkups, research and monitoring, preparing the holding areas for the chimps and administrative work, whereby you can help to type in the chimp stories and any other activities that your skills and experience can be used for. This is a program aimed at helping our visitors understand and appreciate what it takes to look after our orphaned cousins on Ngamba Island as well as raising funds for their well being. The staff will work with you to show you just what is involved in taking care of these animals, how individual they are, and what makes them so special.

As a caregiver, you get to meet and interact with all the chimps on the Island but DIRECT CONTACT with them is not guaranteed but possible under close supervision of a resident Caregiver.

Visitor Health Checks:

Only applicable for those visitors planning on participating in the Forest Walk and or Caregiver Experience when staying overnight.
Please click on the following links to download the Adobe PDF document Health Checks and Vaccine checklist.

Activity Rates 2013

These rates are only sold in conjunction with the accommodation and boat transfer rates for overnight

INFANT INTEGRATION: USD400- per person per session (subject to various inoculations & pre-approval from CSWCT) and available to those between the ages of 18 – 65 years.

CAREGIVER FOR A DAY: USD200- per person per 24 day (subject to various inoculations & pre-approval from CSWCT).

Accommodation Rates 2013

USD270- per person per night , full board  PLUS Island Fee of USD40- per overnight visit.

Children at 50% of adults rates when aged between 5-11 years

Boat Transportation Rates (for overnight visitors) 2013

USD150- per person return on scheduled boats (minimum 2 persons on board).

Non scheduled and private boats available at additional costs – please enquire further for these options. 

Special discounted rates for tour operators, travel agencies, international wholesalers, school groups and East African Residents are available on request – please contact us lakeboats@wildfrontiers.co.ug to enquire further.

UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE – SPECIALISED TOURS

Although not on Lake Victoria itself the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) is right besides it along the shoreline in Entebbe and we have begun helping promote some of their more specialised activities which can be booked through ourselves at lakeboats@wildfrontiers.co.ug

UWEC was formed in 1994 as a trust to revive the neglected Entebbe Zoo and provide leadership in educating Ugandans about the benefits of conserving the country’s biodiversity.

Today, UWEC undertakes several conservation initiatives in Uganda including wildlife rescue and rehabilitation; fully fledged veterinary hospital services; and captive breeding of endangered species of the area. Going beyond these hands-on roles, UWEC furthermore contributes to scientific research and is committed to develop education programmes for the general public, with particular emphasis on instilling a conversation ethic and engaging young people.

In this spirit, numerous conservation education, internship and volunteer programmes run on and off-site for Ugandans and foreigners alike. Some of the popular visitor programmes available include:

Chimpanzee Close Up – USD260.00 per experience

Chimpanzees are found only in the forests of Africa, and their habitat is slowly disappearing as human populations increase and encroach on the forests throughout the region. An endangered species, Uganda’s chimpanzee population of 5,000 is declining, mainly as a result of human actions. It is UWEC’s belief that education is key to avoid distinction of Uganda’s chimpanzees, offering you the chance to embark on a highly moving and unique experience whereby you will have the privilege to have up close, direct contact with with these amazing creatures. Join the younger chimpanzees for part of their daily exercise routine in a stretch of natural forest. Watch with amazement as they interact, curious to explore their visitors. Always playful, they may cling to you, climb all over you, or even explore your face with their human-like hands. A rare opportunity to bond with man’s closest relative, not only will this be an experience of a lifetime, but you will also learn about the dangers they face in the wild, whilst supporting UWEC’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Subject to special inoculation clearance. Please contact us for more details lakeboats@wildfrontiers.co.ug

Behind the Scenes Tour – USD70 per person

If it’s not enough for you to see the animals through a fence or across a wall, this tour is for you. Observe the animals’ behaviour and experience first hand how the keepers feed the lions, carry out health checks, or bring them back to their holding facilities. Have the luxury of a privileged few and visit the food preparation areas, the pharmacy, the exhibits and much, much more. This way you can say that you have truly visited the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Keeper for a Day – USD150 per person

What better way to get on the good side of a rhino than to serve him breakfast! Wake up early and join the UWEC keepers in the kitchen to prepare the food, then jump on the tractor moving from one exhibit to another and help feed an amazing array of exotic and endangered animals from giraffes to lions to rare birds. Get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes as you attend keeper briefings, participate in recording of animal behaviour, or maybe even get the chance to perform health checks or help feed and rehabilitate a rescued animal. This could be your most rewarding and fulfilling day of work ever!

Subject to special inoculation clearance. Please contact us for more details lakeboats@wildfrontiers.co.ug

Keepers’ Guided Tour – USD40 per person

Allow a UWEC keeper to give you a tour filled with exciting insight. Benefit from his experience and get the full lowdown on the individual animals and their little quirks. Put away your binoculars as he talks the rhino over to the fence, hear the full story of the orphaned chimpanzee that arrived yesterday, and find out just why it is so difficult to feed a 4-month-old baby elephant. In just a few hours, you will learn facts and stories that will stay with you for life, and come away with a new appreciation of the intricacies of conservation work.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE ACTIVITIES

The following vaccinations and health checks are mandatory for an individual to participate in the following; the Chimpanzee Close up Experience and Keeper for a Day program. The vaccinations required executed at least two weeks before participation in the programmes are;

Vaccination/ boosters – please note the times noted in brackets denote the length of validity of each vaccination and to it is important to ensure validity is checked for each one.

1.        Hepatitis A (20 years)

2.        Hepatitis B (5 years)

3.        Measles (MMR) (10 – 15 years)

4.        Meningococcal meningitis(ACWY strains) ( 3 years)

5.        Polio (10 years)

6.        Tetanus (10 years) vaccine

7.        Negative TB test or X ray is also required.

All the chimpanzees at the facility undergo annual health checks and have been tested /vaccinated on the diseases possible and have also tested negative to the HIV and SIV virus. Please inform our personnel in event of cold or flu incidences in the last 48 hours as this could affect your interaction allowed with the animals.