Chimpanzees aren't native to Kenya, but Ol Pejeta is home to a substantial resident population anyway, thanks to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to house chimps rescued from conflict zones, the illegal pet trade and confiscated wildlife trafficking operations across Central and West Africa.
The sanctuary's rescued chimps live across two large, naturally forested enclosures separated by a river, given as close to a natural social and physical environment as captivity allows given they cannot be released back to their countries of origin. Guided visits explain both individual chimps' rescue stories and the broader context of the illegal wildlife trade that necessitated the sanctuary's existence.
Visiting the sanctuary
- It's included as part of a standard Ol Pejeta visit alongside rhino tracking and general game drives.
- Feeding times offer the most active viewing opportunities — ask staff for the current schedule.
- The sanctuary's existence highlights conservation challenges well beyond Kenya's own borders.
It's an unexpected but genuinely worthwhile addition to an Ol Pejeta itinerary — a window into primate conservation issues that most Kenya safaris never touch on.
