A guide To Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nanyuki, and the only place in Kenya where the endangered and remarkably intelligent species can be seen.
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened in 1993 to provide refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. An initial group of three orphans were brought to the sanctuary from Burundi. They were evacuated due to civil war. In 1995, nine adults were given refuge and 10 in 1996.
It now has 43 chimpanzees in the sanctuary. The chimpanzees live in two groups separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River.
The chimpanzees’ natural home range spans from Senegal on the West African coast, through the central forested belt of Africa, to Uganda. They are not native to Kenya, but when a rescue centre in Burundi had to be closed due to the civil war outbreak in 1993 – Ol Pejeta opened its doors.
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established with an agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Jane Goodall Institute. The aim – to provide lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. Over the last decade, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary has been compelled to keep accepting chimpanzees rescued from traumatic situations – bringing the total number of chimpanzees in the Sanctuary to 42. Many are confiscated from cramped and unnatural living conditions, and many arrive with horrific injuries sustained from abuse at the hands of humans. Here at Sweetwaters, they get a chance to start over.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzees
With 24-hour veterinary support and a stimulating quarantine enclosure, chimpanzees arriving at the Sanctuary are carefully nursed back to health. When they are ready, they are introduced into one of the two large groups at the Sanctuary, who live in vast natural enclosures separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River. The chimps have set feeding times, and return to their indoor enclosures at night – but other than that they spend their days exploring, climbing, socialising, and learning to be chimpanzees all over again.
Sweetwaters is a chartered member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), an alliance of 18 sanctuaries in 12 African countries; currently caring for over 800 orphaned and/or confiscated chimpanzees. PASA’s role is to help conserve chimpanzees and other primates and their habitats through public education and lobbying for political goodwill.
How to get to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
By road: The drive to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary from Nairobi takes about 3-4 hours. The road from Nairobi to Nanyuki is tarmacked, and the last 13 kilometres to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is dirt. From Nakuru/ Naivasha; it is best to take the road via Nyahururu and Nyeri to enter Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary through Nanyuki. About 6.5km after Nanyuki airstrip, there is a sign to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the left, and it is signposted all the way to Rongai Gate. 4×4 vehicles are essential in the rainy season.
By air: There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Nanyuki airstrip, which is a 45 minute drive from Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary Contacts
Attraction Type: Wildlife
Category: Animal Sanctuary
Region: Mt. Kenya
City / Town: Nanyuki
Road / Street: Ol Pejeta
Telephone: 254 707 187141
254 20 203 3244
Email: info@olpejetaconservancy.org
Website: http://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/chimpanzee_sanc
Entrance Fee: Yes
More About Kenya
Kenya is a world unto itself. Kenya is Africa’s original safari destination, attracting explorers, adventurers, and travelers for centuries. A safari to Kenya is a trip of a lifetime.
Tourist Attractions in Kenya:
Kenya has one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions sites, known for its diversity of landscape, wildlife, and cultures. From sweeping savannahs to tropical beaches and coral reef, dense equatorial forests to mighty snow-capped mountains, and more.
For more information visit: Tourists Attractions in Kenya
Kenya Safari
Kenya is the ultimate safari destination, providing travelers with a window into the heart of Africa. But this is not all that Kenya has to offer. Located near the equator, Kenya´s magic lies in the fact that the country encompasses an astounding variety of landscapes and climates, flora and fauna, as well as communities and cultures, home to water sports, a swim with dolphins and adventure.
For more information visit: Kenya Safari
Hotels and Accommodation in Kenya
Hotels in Kenya vary enormously in price and facilities. Luxury hotels in Kenya offer excellent standards of service and are comparable to the best hotels anywhere in the world. Kenya’s abundance of natural produce, combined with the rich variety of cultures and traditions, has created a great culinary nation.
The fertile volcanic soil of the Rift Valley produces a bounty of fresh vegetables, while the coast is a great source of tropical fruit and fresh seafood. The Kenyan coast is also the home of the world-renowned Swahili cuisine, a blend of Middle Eastern and African cooking with a particular coastal twist.
For more information visit: Hotels in Kenya
Towns in Kenya
Apart from the towns of Nairobi , Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru, Kenya has other major towns each a unique representation of the country’s striking abundance in flora and fauna. Most of these towns are headquarters in their respective counties or major economic bases in their regions. Luxury hotels and lodges located here provide good accommodation and conferencing facilities for guests who dare to try out a taste different from the capital or the coast.
For more information visit: Towns in Kenya
The Kenyan People Culture and Tradition
Kenya’s culture blends together diverse tribes, traditions, and religions into one beautiful, well-woven tapestry. These traditions complement each other while incorporating the modern influences of globalization – resulting in a vibrant cultural spirit that is uniquely Kenyan. Kenya has over 42 different tribes with different languages and several dialects. Kenyan tourism has made the Maasai and Samburu tribes the most famous because of their long preserved culture.
For more information visit: Kenya People and Tribes
Watch a Video of Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
County: Laikipia | Nearest Town: