For those who have been to Ngamba Island... do you have any recommendations on the various accommodations that are available?

Any recommendations or hesitations?

I was there two years ago, and cannot recommend it more highly. What an experience walking with the chimps and carrying them around on my back. Would love to do it again sometime. As for accommodations, I was not aware that there was a choice on the island. I stayed in a lovely raised tent overlooking the water, and it looked like all the tents were identical. Not cheap, but more than worth it. Perhaps they have added some others since then.

haven't been yet - would love to go tomorrow....

maybe they can help you - but it's prof:

http://www.travel-uganda.net/10-days

I don't know if this is still an option, but it saved me bundles when I volunteered there. I stayed in the staff quarters and ate with the staff.

The room was very basic cinderblock, even dingy and similar to the back room of an unfinished basement. The very nice community toilet & shower (bring your own towel) was a good walk away at night. This room was right next to where the chimps slept which I liked but you could smell them and they served as an alarm clock. But it oh-so-extremely affordable. The food was fine and I supplemented with some fruits and veggies I bought in Entebbe.

If I ever return, I will inquire to see if I can do this again.

The tented camps I saw for guests overlooked Lake Victoria and were lovely, just far enough away from the where the chimps slept to have no odors, but only a short walk from the action.

As others have mentioned, the chimp walks were a highlight of Africa and of all my travels. Heck, a highlight of my life. I mean it.

Simbakubwa,
I'm pretty sure the only accommodations are Wild Frontiers Tented Camp.

Lynn,
you're full of surprises, aren't you? What a great way to save money, and have such a unique experience at the same time.

We really enjoyed our stay there, and we only knew about one option -- the same tented camp mentioned by others here. The accommodations and service were both superb.

Chris

Chris,
It was your trip report that got me hooked on the Forest Walk and Ngamba Island. That and your magnificent chimp and gorilla photos! I'll be there in February.

Great.. thanks!

Do you know if the Wild Frontiers tented camp is a HUGE camp (ie. 60 raised tents) or just a small camp ?

Dana -- thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Simba -- huge camp?! No way! I think there are four tents, that is it! The area of the island set aside for people is quite small.

You can see pictures of the islands, tents and of course the chimps themselves from our trip at www.pbase.com/cwillis/ngamba.

Chris

Thanks for posting this link again Chris. I never tire of looking at your photos!

Thank you, Dana! We definitely enjoyed taking them and I hope they let people see what the Island is like. Really a wonderful place. I just regret they don't allow pictures on the forest walks ...

Chris

We were just there about two weeks ago. The Wild Frontier tented camp is the only one on the island, and as mentioned there are only 4 tents. During our stay we were the only guests. The service and food were great, and the experience was unbelievable. The tents were very comfortable, with a great view of the lake. There was electricity but no running water. The staff brought hot water to the tent for our showers, and there were jugs in the with water for the sink. I will post a trip report shortly, but this rivaled our gorilla trek. Definitely recommended.

Lisa,
Just curious: are they still doing the chimp walks? (there was talk of them phasing them out since the juvenile group is getting older last I heard.) Do you know if there is any more talk of them purchasing another island for the chimps? Did you by any chance meet Pasa and Nakku if you did the walks?
I agree with you - it was just as good as my gorilla trek.

Pasa was a doll. I've wondered about the other island too, Maxwell.