Volunteering with chimpanzees in Uganda
- In the middle of nature
- animals in the wild
- Varied activities
As a volunteer in the chimpanzee project, you find yourself on an island and support a sanctuary that takes care of chimpanzees. Your tasks can include food preparation, feeding or medical care for the monkeys - that depends on the previous knowledge you have with you. Help in this project to protect the chimpanzees and their habitat and to raise awareness among the population of the need for nature and animal protection!
Lake Victoria
from 18 years
2 - 8 weeks
/ from €2.150
Wednesday, Sunday
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
What's the matter?
The chimpanzee population is highly endangered by poachers, deforestation and illegal animal trade. In addition, the approximately 150.000 wild chimpanzees in Uganda are exposed to another threat: the consumption of bushmeat (meat from wild animals). Bush meat is considered a delicacy among the population and is eaten with pleasure, especially in rural areas. So does the meat of great apes.
Your assignment is a sanctuary that takes care of chimpanzees. The monkeys come from different places in Uganda. They were rescued or taken from conditions that were not species-appropriate. In the facility, the animals are given medical care and fed. However, care is taken to keep human contact to a minimum.
The chimpanzee project is located on a small natural island in Lake Victoria. Except for the camp area, the island is overgrown with dense forest and is inhabited by various animal species.
On the approx. 40 hectare forest area, the monkeys should be protected, but be able to live under similar living conditions as in the wild. The preservation of the general biodiversity on the island is also part of the project. There is a veterinary facility and a research department for behavioral science.
In addition, our assignment site coordinates various programs in the field of nature conservation and educational work. These take place on the one hand on the island and on the other hand outside, for example in a wildlife education center in the western region of Uganda or at local schools. Within the framework of these programs, various measures are taken in the areas of education, research, nature conservation and community development. These should serve to preserve the chimpanzee population and their habitat and create awareness of the importance of animal and environmental protection. For example, primate populations are monitored here or tree planting initiated.
The aim of the project is to secure the chimpanzee population in its natural habitat and to raise public awareness of the importance of nature and animal protection.
Your tasks as a volunteer
Your volunteer work is a combination of projects within a four-week program. As a rule, you will work on the island in the sanctuary for two weeks and then you will be involved in the nature conservation and education program for two weeks.
Attention: If you travel alone, then for logistical reasons you will be working on the chimpanzee island for the entire four weeks and will not travel to the conservation and education program.
In the chimpanzee project you will help with food preparation, feeding the monkeys and cleaning the enclosure. During feeding, the chimpanzees are in a separate area and you can observe the animals up close. You will gain interesting insights into the social behavior of chimpanzees. Note, however, that the project is not a zoo and you cannot touch the animals.
You will also help with the visitor tours on the island. This can include accompanying the guided tours, forest hikes or educational activities. In the morning there is a meeting where the daily tasks are distributed.
During your volunteer work in the nature conservation and education program, you will help, for example, with tree planting and the creation of forest maps. You will also be involved in designing the educational and cultural offerings. Here you help, for example, to sensitize students to the topic of environmental protection through music, films, plays or by addressing current debates.
You can also participate in self-help measures. For example, you can show local communities how they can be self-sufficient by growing fruit and vegetables sustainably or by keeping bees. You will also accompany excursions to various wildlife reserves.
Your daily working hours may vary and will be discussed with you on the spot.
Accommodation Catering
Accommodation in the chimpanzee project
Accommodation on Lake Victoria: During your time in the chimpanzee project in Uganda you will spend the first part of your volunteer work on a natural island on Lake Victoria. You may share your bedroom, equipped with everything you need, with other volunteers if there are more on the project at the same time. There you have a bed, a toilet and a shower with warm water. A towel will be provided by the accommodation. Nevertheless, you should definitely bring some more from home. A cleaning service comes by daily to take care of the cleanliness of the accommodation.
If you would like to call your loved ones at home, that's no problem at all. Because the accommodation has WiFi and, if necessary, also has a computer that everyone can use.
Your physical well-being will also be taken care of, because you will receive three meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared for you. So you don't have to do anything else and can concentrate fully on your project work.
Accommodation in Hoima: For the third and fourth week of your chimpanzee project you will be stationed in north-western Uganda – in the Hoima District. In addition to a dreamy landscape, a comfortable common room with a hot water shower awaits you here. A cleaning service comes by daily and for a small fee you can also use a laundry service. If you ever need internet, there is a shared computer that you can use.
You don't have to worry about your food here either: your service includes a breakfast buffet, a picnic lunch package and a delicious dinner.
Location
Lake Victoria
Our Lake Victoria location is in the southern part of Uganda. The lake is the largest freshwater lake in all of Africa and features several small islands. It was named after Queen Victoria of England.
Except for the camp area, the island is overgrown with dense forest and is inhabited by various animal species. Chimpanzees in particular feel at home here! You live here in the middle of nature and can observe many animals.
The second part of the project takes place in Hoima, a smaller town with about 40.000 inhabitants. Hoima District is located in the north-western part of Uganda. In this part of the project work you will have more contact with the local people.
If the well-being of the chimpanzees is particularly important to you, you've definitely come to the right place. You can also get to know the area on the fascinating Lake Victoria, as well as a small town off the beaten track.
Your free time at Lake Victoria
Welcome to what is probably the most famous freshwater lake in Africa! Incredibly beautiful landscapes await you at Lake Victoria, which you can explore extensively in your free time.
The Lake Victoria region is home to many species of mammals, including hippos, mongooses and great otter shrews. Reptiles such as the Nile crocodile and the African pond turtle as well as various types of crab and fish also feel at home in Lake Victoria and can be observed there.
On the northern shore of Lake Victoria, in Mabamba, there is a bird sanctuary that is home to around 300 bird species. Among them is the Shoebill, a bird that is particularly striking due to its bizarre appearance. Bird watching in Mabamba is a great experience. In a traditional canoe you will discover the swamp area together with a tour guide and can enjoy the diverse bird life.
The lake is not suitable for swimming, but there are numerous tropical islands that you can reach cheaply by ferry. Particularly recommended is the archipelago of the Ssese Islands in the northwest, which impresses with its white sandy beaches and deep blue water. From Entebbe you can easily get to the island of Bugala. Once there, you can let off steam with various activities, such as quad biking, fishing and bird watching tours. If you are looking for peace and relaxation, then you are in good hands on Banda Island. There you can enjoy your time in complete peace and seclusion.
In addition to activities in nature, you can of course also visit Uganda's capital Kampala or the coastal town of Entebbe and admire the sights while strolling through the streets.
On-site procedure
Arrival in Entebbe
Arriving at Entebbe Airport, you will be picked up by a team member and taken to the hostel where you will spend the first night. This transfer is included in our services, as well as accommodation in the hostel. Our team ensures that you arrive safely at the accommodation and is your contact person throughout your volunteer work or internship abroad in Uganda.
The next day you will be picked up from the hostel and taken to our office in Entebbe. There you will get a short introduction and get to know the team. Afterwards you will start your onward journey to Lake Victoria. You can get to the project island by boat. The costs for the transfer by boat are to be paid by you on site (group crossing approx. $45, single trip approx. $250).
Orientation program on the island in Lake Victoria
The volunteers are received and instructed in our office. You will then be assigned a team member who will oversee your time at the sanctuary. When you arrive at the rescue station, you will be briefed on the island's procedures and told what to do and when. There you will work closely with the team.
Your first day in the project
After the orientation program you will start your work with the employees and take care of the chimpanzees, among other things. Depending on how much previous knowledge you have and depending on the assessment and needs of the local specialists, you will be slowly introduced to the work or you will soon be assigned your own tasks.
Pricing
-
2 weeks of participationbase fee€ 2.150, -
-
up to 6 weeks respectivelyextension week€ 790, - / week
included
Services
Before departure
- Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
- Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
- Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
- Non-binding flight advice
- Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
- RGV t-shirt
On site
- Orientation program with the team on site
- Support and guidance from the on-site team
- RGV 24h emergency number
- Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
- Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
- Accommodation at the job site
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
After return
- Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
- Reflection course on your experiences abroad
- Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
not included
Services
- Round trip
- Private expenses on site
- Excursions with microlight flights
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Visa and Vaccinations
- All nights outside your agreed accommodation
- Public transport and extra transfers
- Boat transfer to the project (group crossing approx. $45, single trip approx. $250)
- Drinks
Individual
Recommended additional offers
& must-haves
Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?
With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.
The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.
These special tariffs give you special added value:
- maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
- generous baggage allowance
- Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.
The following building blocks are included:
- Health Insurance
- Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
- Travel insurance
-
Two tools to get you started on your personal developmentPersonal development introductory courseFree of charge
Lake Victoria
Team
site
Joshua started as Veterinarian and shelter manager and is now also program coordinator. Not only does he put his heart and soul into the health of the animals, he also takes care of the courses and other things the reserve has to offer.
Martha is responsible for marketing in the chimpanzee project. Her heart is in her work, so she loves to tell stories about the chimpanzees and market the project that way.
Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!
Magical natural diversity and magical encounters – my time on the chimpanzee island
I will forever hold the six weeks I spent in Africa in my heart and I am incredibly grateful for everything I was able to learn and experience!
04.03.2024
Simon
Volunteering Uganda field report
During the chimpanzee project, I fed chimpanzees, watched them play, cleaned their cages and even went for a walk through the forest with two smaller chimpanzees (three and a half and six years old)!
01.08.2020
Sofia
Review of Monkey Island in Uganda
Africa is a very lively, diverse continent that is not just worth a trip. This diversity of nature, animals and people is incredibly impressive. The Africans' pride in this treasure is right and their joy of life is contagious.
16.04.2020
Margarete
Browse our magazine
RGV
FAQ
to the project
What are the project fees used for?
Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.
What visa do I need for Uganda?
You need a tourist visa for Uganda. You can apply for this online in advance. You will then receive the visa upon arrival, where you will also pay the visa fees (about €50). The visa is valid for 90 days.
An extension is possible on site and costs about 100 €.
What language skills do I need for the project in Uganda?
A good knowledge of English is required, and a Luganda language course is also recommended.
What vaccinations/health precautions do I need for the chimpanzee project?
The following vaccinations are required:
- Hepatitis A/B
- tetanus
- polio
- MMR
- Meningococci
- yellow fever
- Covid 19
A tuberculosis test is also necessary.
We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.
What are the requirements for the project?
There are no specific requirements for participation. The most important things are fun working in a team and with animals, especially monkeys, healthy fitness and flexibility.
What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?
Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.
For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.
Ready to volunteer in Uganda? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!
Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.
You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.
Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.
RGV
Your way
to the volunteer
1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.
2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.
3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.
4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.
Gallery
Impressions &
Impressions
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