We visited the Chimpanzees during our first trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy right after we shifted to Nairobi. By then this new city and life was a whole new world for us and we really wanted to explore every bit of it. So for one weekend we made our way to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Africa which is inside the Ol Pejeta conservancy itself. We had previously heard and read about Chimpanzee Orphanage and would suggest you to visit Chimpanzee Sanctuary if you are in Kenya.
Planning your trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Check out our blog on Amazing Ol Pejeta Accommodations at Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp here. You can also book by visiting their website here.
Fascinated to visit Sweetwaters camp? Make sure you experience the Night Game Drive in Ol Pejeta by booking through Sweetwaters Lodge. Check our amazing experience here.
How to reach – Ol Pejeta Conservancy
By road: You can directly drive to Ol Pejeta Serena sweet waters from Nairobi which would take around 3hrs. depending on traffic, by entering the Rongai gate towards the east end of Nanyuki town. Just turn on the GPS and you would be good to go.
(Note-make sure you are driving a 4wd car if you wish to go for self-game drive at Ol Pejeta)
By flight : Also you can take a direct flight from Wilson airport (flights operated by Air Kenya & Safari-link)which would land at Nanyuki airstrip from where it would take another 45min to reach. It is also possible to take a charter flight to Ol Pejeta’s airstrip if you are coming from any other wildlife conservancy.
Know about Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The chimpanzees found here are not indigenous to Kenya but originally they are from Senegal on the West African coast, and also from the central forested belt of Uganda. But due to civil war in 1993 when an animal rescue centre in Burundi, in East Central Africa closed down – Ol Pejeta volunteered its way to rescue and conserve these chimps. There are about 40+ of them in total where Ol Pejeta provides lifelong refuge to orphaned, abused or confiscated chimpanzees brought here from West and Central Africa.
However the chimpanzees are kept free into the natural habitats separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River and not caged. It is the only place in Kenya where chimps can be seen. We saw them very playful and spending their days running around, climbing socializing. They are also allowed to breed freely. It’s really felt so good from within. The chimpanzee sanctuary remains open from 10am- 6.30pm and its free for public access (entry charges includes in park fee itself).
Our experience at Chimpanzee Sanctuary- Ol Pejeta
We drove our 4wd car throughout the game drives in Ol Pejeta. It was very convenient for us to see the sanctuary has sign boards and directions mapped, so there was no fear of getting lost being a new comer anyway. Once we reached the entrance gate there were guides (you might go inside as a group with fellow tourists, if it is high season) who took us in the main hall and briefed us about the chimps present inside and how they are taken care of and bit of everything.
After 10min of interaction we walked towards the Nyiro River where you might see crocodiles, unfortunately we didn’t, which serves as a barrier. For 5-7 min we could not see any but later 4-5 chimps marched in a troop when our guide made a whistling sound to attract them. We were so excited to finally see the chimpanzees for real for the very first time in our life. We were not allowed to feed or make any physical contacts with them. Only the caregivers are allowed come close and feed the chimps. As they remain within their enclosures (please don’t feed the animals you might be highly fined).
Watching Chimpanzees at close
As we walked for miles at a stretch crossing the grasslands following our guide and saw many of them staring at us as well the way we did. Watching them from so close felt so surreal and it took us back to early human days. We kind of shared some similar features and behaviour which really compelled us to think primitive for a while.
At the end of tour we were asked to make some voluntary donations under any names of the chimpanzees also which they would emboss it in their wall as a token of memory. The charges priced were high we thought, but if you wish to donate please go through their schemes first.
Hope you would definitely like to see those amazing creatures for real as well.
